Universidad Andrés Bello Expands Institutional Project with Four New Research Centers and Institutes

The new centers – already operational – are the Center for Research in Materials Design (CEDEM), the Institute for Research in Health Care (IICS), the One Health Institute (IOH), and the Center for Research on Pandemic Resilience (CRP).

Each was created to meet specific needs, ensuring that UNAB remains a leader in applied research across multiple disciplines.

With the addition of these four units, UNAB now boasts a total of 22 centers and institutes focused on public policy analysis and scientific research – covering a wide range of academic fields.

UNAB President Julio Castro emphasized:

“With the creation of these new centers and institutes, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing knowledge in strategic areas. The university has worked hard to strengthen its research capacity and project it into the future – creating a positive impact on society.”

He added:

“These initiatives allow us to build a university that is more connected to real-world challenges and actively engaged in developing solutions to today’s global issues. We are confident that these new spaces will play a key role in advancing knowledge and training future generations of researchers.”

CRP: Research in Pandemic Resilience

The Center for Research on Pandemic Resilience (CRP) – led by Dr. Claudio Cabello – is a one-of-a-kind initiative in Chile and Latin America. It aims to become a regional leader in pandemic preparedness.

The center brings together researchers from UNAB’s Faculty of Medicine – specifically from its Institute of Public Health – and from the Faculty of Life Sciences. Their interdisciplinary work spans from basic science to public health management, addressing pandemic-related challenges across three phases: response, recovery, and preparation.

Dr. Cabello explained:

“We hope this center will become a key regional player. Our goal is to provide reliable, engaging information that can counter misinformation and fake news – which cause confusion and harm.”

Given the vulnerability of South America to public health crises, the CRP will help strengthen health system resilience and improve response capacity through collaborative research.

IICS: Improving Health Care

The Institute for Research in Health Care (IICS) – housed within UNAB’s School of Nursing and led by Dr. Naldy Febré – focuses on improving health care by promoting human-centered care and advancing research on chronic diseases, mental health, and health systems.

Dr. Febré noted:

“We expect the institute to contribute both to the advanced training of health professionals and to the transfer of knowledge to society at large.”

With a transdisciplinary approach, the IICS aims to inform public policy and train specialists equipped to address complex health challenges.

Looking toward 2050, the institute seeks to respond to pressing global issues – such as the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and the urgent need to improve access to high-quality health services. Centered on a person-first approach, the IICS will generate knowledge that directly impacts the efficiency, equity, and quality of today’s health systems.

IOH: Integrating Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

The One Health Institute (IOH) – led by Dr. Claudio Azat and based in UNAB’s Faculty of Life Sciences – will be the first of its kind in Chile to integrate human, animal, and environmental health.

Its mission is to develop innovative solutions to address emerging diseases, climate change, and biodiversity conservation.
Dr. Azat emphasized:

“This institute will help us build national and international networks to tackle sustainability and global health challenges collaboratively.”

The IOH will be supported by a high-level team of 15 interdisciplinary researchers – drawn from the Departments of Ecology and Biodiversity, Biological Sciences, the School of Veterinary Medicine, and the PhD program in Conservation Medicine within the Faculty of Life Sciences.

It will also contribute to the training of professionals with specialized competencies to address and solve global health and environmental issues.

CEDEM: Innovation in Functional Materials

The Center for Research in Materials Design (CEDEM) – part of UNAB’s Faculty of Exact Sciences and directed by Dr. William Tiznado – aims to strengthen research in functional materials. It brings together the capabilities of the Center for Applied Nanoscience and the Center for Theoretical and Computational Chemistry.

The center’s mission is to drive innovation in this field through partnerships with industry and the training of new researchers in science and technology.

Dr. Tiznado remarked:

“CEDEM will create impact at multiple levels. Within the scientific community, it will promote research on advanced materials. In the industrial sector, it will foster collaborations with companies – enabling the development of materials with technological applications in areas such as energy, catalysis, and electronic devices.”

He added:

“For human capital development, the center will offer a space of excellence for undergraduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral training in materials science.”

“And in terms of scientific infrastructure, CEDEM will establish a research hub equipped with state-of-the-art tools for experimentation and simulation – supporting both theoretical and applied studies.”