Pew Program Funds Latin American Biomedical Scientists

The Pew Charitable Trusts announces the 2025 class of the Pew Latin American Fellows Program in the Biomedical Sciences, spotlighting 10 postdoctoral researchers from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. These fellows will receive two years of funding to conduct biomedical research in US laboratories under the guidance of leading scientists, including previous program alumni.

The selected researchers join peers across the region to advance studies ranging from brain tumor resistance to immune cell function in pregnancy and nervous system regeneration. This initiative supports scientific exchange aimed at fostering discoveries that improve global health.

Collaboration is essential to drive biomedical innovation, says Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Senior Vice President for Scientific Advancement, Pew. The program not only funds research abroad but also encourages fellows to return to Latin America to establish their own labs, with nearly 70% choosing this path. This has contributed to building a stronger biomedical research community in Latin America.

Biomedical research aims to enhance diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and cure of diseases while making healthcare accessible to all sectors of society. The field includes basic studies on disease mechanisms, clinical trials testing treatments in humans, translational work applying lab findings to medicine, and epidemiological analysis of disease patterns in populations, reports Mas Vida Foundation.

In 2025, biomedical science is marked by innovation and collaboration, focusing on patient-centered solutions like personalized medicine, AI, and regenerative therapies. While these advances can transform disease treatment, they also raise ethical, regulatory, and access challenges, reports the Biomedical Journal of Biomedical Science & Research.

As Mexico continues to advance in biomedical research, the country's growing workforce of biomedical engineers plays a crucial role. Biomedical Engineering has been established as an undergraduate program in Mexico for over 40 years and has shown steady growth in recent years. In the 1Q25, about 11,100 biomedical engineers in Mexico earned an average monthly salary of MX$12,900 (US$645), while working about 37.5 hours per week.