Public Lecture: Scientists from the Academia to the Society
Topic: Scientists from the Academia to the Society – The Role of the University & Research in Modern Society with Professor Fernando Albericio
Fernando Albericio is a Research Professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in Durban, South Africa and a Full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Barcelona. He was Inaugural Rector of Yachay Tech (Ecuador), the first Latin American university focused on Innovation, and Founder and General Director of the Barcelona Science Park (PCB). He has published over 900 papers, filled more than 60 patents, and has co-authored four books. He is also Editor-in-Chief of several scientific journals and acted in the editorial board of several others. His major research interests cover practically all aspects of peptide synthesis (new reactions, building blocks, coupling reagents, solid phase supports, protecting groups, and linkers) and combinatorial chemistry methodologies, as well as the synthesis of peptides and small molecules with therapeutic activities (cancer and infectious diseases). Furthermore, his group is also involved in developing new systems for drug delivery and strategies for diagnostics as well. He has been involved in the development of multicomponent platforms for the preparation of bioconjugates, involving peptides, foldamers, oligonucleotides, and monoclonal antibodies, among others. Special attention has been paid to the linkers responsible for binding the molecules. Finally, his group is working on the introduction of the green concept in solid-phase synthesis. He is deeply involved in the creation of the Entrepreneurial University in Spain, in Latin America, and, presently, in South Africa. During his tenure at the PCB, he catalyzed the creation of almost 100 start-up companies. He was a founder of the “Emprendia” Network-Santander Bank, which was the first Latin American University Network for the Incubation of Companies with the purpose of creating a Latin American business network upon the R&D results from the universities. Presently, he is working in the development of BioDurban at UKZN.