News
The University of Chile team presents free, downloadable informational materials on insect pests and climate change.
The project “Pest Insects Around the Corner in a Changing World,” funded by the Vice-Rectorate for Research and Development at the University of Chile, is designed as a freely available educational resource. Developed by students and faculty, the material provides information about the kissing bug, the wheat aphid, and the spotted wing drosophila—pests that pose a risk to health and agriculture. All resources are available at www.anillopic2.cl
April 2026
Launch of Transdisciplinary Devices on Insect Pests at the University of Chile
On March 25th, we launched “Pest Insects: Just Around the Corner in a Changing World,” an initiative born from research that seeks to reach the community directly through educational and outreach materials. This project was funded by the Vice-Rectorate for Research and Development of the University of Chile, through the 2024 Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Work Devices competition, and was developed in conjunction with academic advisors from the University of Talca, the University of O'Higgins, and the University of Chile. During the event, Dr. Carezza Botto ( University of Chile ), Dr. Eduardo Fuentes ( University of Talca ), and Dr. Paula Irles ( University of O'Higgins ) shared information on the health and agricultural relevance of the three pest insects that gave rise to this work. Subsequently, Natalia Ugas, the project coordinator, presented the infographics and videos developed thanks to this project, demonstrating that engagement with institutions and communities are activities that They add value to scientific work.
March 2026
Encuentro anual de PIC2 en la Universidad de O'Higgins
This past December 22nd, the PIC2 Ring team met at the Rancagua campus of the University of O'Higgins to hold their annual meeting.
This meeting is the culmination of a series of virtual meetings held with researchers, professionals and thesis students of the project, in which results and new methodological and research proposals were shared.
During the in-person meeting, director Luis Castañeda, principal investigator Eduardo Fuentes, and postdoctoral researchers Moisés Valladares and José Alruiz presented the main progress made on the project's three objectives. Based on this, the team discussed work strategies for the final year of the project's development.
The PIC2 network comprises researchers, graduate students, and professionals from four universities across three regions of the country. Therefore, creating in-person spaces outside the Metropolitan Region is especially important for transferring research findings and promoting their research areas.
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December 2025
Concurso investigador (a) de postdoctorado
The PIC2 Ring Project is opening a competition for a postdoctoral researcher interested in investigating the changes at the genomic and microbiota level that facilitate the adaptation of insect pests to the application of insecticides in a context of climate change during the year 2026.
We are looking for a researcher with a background in evolutionary biology and/or population genetics, who also has demonstrable experience in massive sequencing analysis and bioinformatics analysis in one of the following topics: Genome-wide association analysis (GWAS), metabarcoding and genotype-environment association studies.
The position is carried out in person at the University of Chile, in Santiago or at the University of Talca, Maule Region.
Applications: Curriculum Vitae, letter of interest, academic degree certificate and two academic references.
Deadline: until December 31, 2025.
