Seven Latin American Scientists Earn Recognition as 2004 Pew Latin American Fellows in the Biomedical Sciences; Program Encourages Potential in Young Latin American Biomedical Research Scientists

6/15/2004

From: Silvia Montano of the University of California at San Francisco, 415-476-5116; Mona Miller of the Pew Charitable Trusts, 202-207-2135

PHILADELPHIA, June 15 -- Seven early-career Latin American biomedical scientists have been chosen as 2004 Pew Latin American Fellows in the Biomedical Sciences, The Pew Charitable Trusts and the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) announced today. Funded by the Trusts through a grant to UCSF, the fellowship program offers each scientist $25,000 a year for two years to obtain cutting edge postdoctoral research training in an outstanding U.S. science laboratory and $35,000 to set up a lab in the scientist's home country upon completion of their training.

"The Pew Charitable Trusts is pleased to recognize the 2004 Pew Latin American Fellows, who will one day help lead the global advance of scientific knowledge," said Rebecca W. Rimel, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Pew Charitable Trusts. "Promising scientific minds are also found beyond U.S. borders and we are proud to invest in the region's scientific future. These fellows will surely contribute to global understanding in their scientific fields and to the growth of their home countries, as well."

The Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences was launched in 1991 to help develop a cadre of highly trained Latin American scientists who could stimulate and contribute to the growth of high quality biomedical science in Latin America and foster collaboration between scientists in Latin America and the U.S. Since 1991, the Trusts has invested over $11 million to fund nearly 140 fellows. The highly competitive applicants are chosen by a distinguished national advisory committee chaired by Dr. Torsten N. Wiesel, president emeritus of Rockefeller University, and a 1981 Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine.

The 2004 Pew Latin American Fellows in the Biomedical Sciences are:

FELLOW, HOST LABORATORY

Maximiliano D'Angelo, Ph.D., Argentina -- Scripps Research Institute

Daniella Ishimaru, Ph.D., Brazil -- The Salk Institute

Fernando Lledias, Ph.D., Mexico -- Harvard University

Marcelo Martins Reis, Ph.D., Brazil -- Johns Hopkins University

Wagner Seixas da Silva, Ph.D., Brazil -- Brigham and Women's Hospital

Juan Esteban Ugalde, Ph.D., Argentina -- Yale University

Luis Larrondo, Ph.D., Chile -- Dartmouth College

For full biographies and information regarding scholars' research subjects, please visit http://www.pewtrusts.org/pdf/pew_fellows_061504.doc.

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The Pew Charitable Trusts, a public charity, serves the public interest by providing information, policy solutions and support for civic life. Based in Philadelphia, with an office in Washington, D.C., the Trusts makes investments to provide organizations and citizens with fact-based research and practical solutions for challenging issues. In 2003, The Trusts' dedicated assets were approximately $4.1 billion and it committed more than $143 million to 151 nonprofit organizations. More information about the Trusts can be found at http://www.pewtrusts.org.