UCM academic recognized as best researcher in the south-central macro-zone

Javiera Cubillos, PhD in Political Science, received the distinction from the SEREMI Sofía Valenzuela, who stressed that «talent has no gender».

«I am excited and deeply grateful. It is something I did not expect.» This is how the academic from the Universidad Católica del Maule (UCM), Javiera Cubillos, reacted upon receiving the «Outstanding Researcher» award for the south-central macro-zone, given for the first time by the Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation in each of its administrative divisions.

«I feel that this recognition is collective, because people do not concretize things in individuality. Even those who make things difficult for you contribute to your growth, just like the people who support you, because they challenge you,» said the director of the Center for Urban-Territorial Studies (CEUT), which belongs to the campus.

Cubillos, graduate in Social Work from the Universidad Católica del Maule and professor at the UCM School of Sociology— who will be part of a communications campaign organized by the Ministry of Science and the General Secretariat of Government— is a reference in gender issues.

«My study seeks to level the playing field, so that hopefully ideological sex, gender identity or sexual orientation are not a limitation to people’s freedom and that we can do things, regardless of the sex we are born with,» she said.

The authority gave distinctions in five macro-zones of the country, with the idea of highlighting women scientists, who are usually underestimated in their capabilities, advances and talents.

«We want these outstanding women to serve as an inspiration to boys and girls, especially girls, to ensure that from early childhood to undergraduate and graduate school they know that they can pursue science and excel in their fields. Talent has no gender and we are convinced that in this way we will highlight the role of women within the universities,» said the SEREMI Sofia Valenzuela.

At the award ceremony, which took place at the San Miguel campus, Valenzuela also recognized eleven other women researchers, including PhD. Ingrid Carvacho and PhD. Xaviera López from the faculties of Medicine and Engineering Sciences at the institution.

«In our university there is a special interest in incorporating women, who generally constitute thirty percent of the researchers. We are committed to the logic of being a contribution to gender equity and that means promoting research contracts for women,» said UCM’s Vice-Rector for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Hernán Maureira.

The south-central macro-zone includes the regions of O’Higgins, Maule, Ñuble and Biobío.

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