Within his field of research in medical physics for the detection and treatment of cancer, the researcher Dr. Rodolfo Figueroa Saavedra achieved a fourth patent that enriches the portfolio of technologies developed at Universidad de La Frontera.

Thanks to his thorough and constant work, Dr. Rodolfo Figueroa Saavedra, researcher of the Faculty of Engineering and Science and director of the Center of Excellence in Medical Physics and Engineering (CFIS) of the Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO), obtained a new patent in the United States.

The name of this innovative technology that merges engineering and medical science to improve the simultaneous detection and treatment of cancer through the applied research, study, and development of cutting-edge high-precision methods, is called “COXIRIS“ (Confocal Orthovoltage X-Ray-Induced Radiation Integral Systems).

“It is a significant recognition to get a patent in the United States, due to its high impact and prestige, which facilitates obtaining patents in other countries, where we have filed patent applications. Furthermore, it motivates us to continue developing applied research projects related to this patented technology and other patents in this field. Combined with the know-how, it provides the required support for an effective technology transfer”, explained Dr. Rodolfo Figueroa.

This patent is a significant contribution to the project called “Functional Imaging Platform for Cancer Theranostics: Precise and Simultaneous Detection and Treatment of Cancer through X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF)“, which is led by Dr. Figueroa and was recently awarded the ANID Advanced Technologies fund.

This achievement represents more than 10 years of research in this field and is a great progress in the fight against cancer. At the same time, it represents the applied research carried out at UFRO. “It will have the capacity to detect, obtain images, and perform treatment through the detection of characteristic X-rays induced by the metallic nanoparticles fixed on a tumor biomarker, which can be found fixed on the malignant cells, allowing to attack the tumor or pathology of the patient with great precision, thanks to the confocal configuration of the device,“ the researcher added regarding the main characteristics of the device.

Dr. Jorge Farías Avendaño, the dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science, pointed out: “We are proud, as a university and faculty, of the remarkable work developed by Dr. Figueroa. This new patent consolidates the research in medical physics, a field of knowledge, in which he has generated knowledge of quality and excellence. His scientific work allows us to transcend the borders of our country.“

TECHNOLOGY FOR THE DETECTION AND TREATMENT OF CANCER
The technology, based on theranostics (simultaneous detection and treatment), is called COXIRIS, and designed for the immediate and precise simultaneous detection and treatment of cancer, thus achieving a new high-precision functional imaging technique, which is one of the main attributes of this latest development in the field of science and health that allowed UFRO to achieve a new patent in the United States and to aspire to similar outcomes in European countries.

By offering a high-precision system, this technology optimizes medical interventions and provides new possibilities for the management and treatment of cancer, a disease with high prevalence worldwide. According to studies by the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), 59,876 new cases were registered in Chile, with breast cancer being the most common in women (20.8%), and prostate cancer in men (29.5%).

The director of the Office of Innovation and Technology Transfer, Franklin Valdebenito Godoy, highlighted the importance of this achievement: “Obtaining the fourth patent in the United States in the field of medical physics sets the course of the technologies being developed at UFRO, responding with urgent solutions to the needs of the scientific world,“ he pointed out.

“The legal protection of this technology facilitates technology transfer and its commercialization in the United States. The technology led by Dr. Rodolfo Figueroa is a significant step forward in the field of theranostics and the international positioning of UFRO in terms of intellectual property and technology transfer,“ explained Gabriela Soto Faúndez, the coordinator of Technology Transfer, emphasizing that technology transfer is an important bridge between the academia and society.

Written by: Office of Innovation and Technology Transfer

Translated by: UFRO Communications Office

Within the framework of the 3rd International Week UFRO, the university invites the whole community of the La Araucania Region to participate in this activity to get in touch with other cultures and nations, and to learn more about student and academic mobility.

On Thursday, October 10, the Internationalization Office of Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO) will carry out the third version of the International Festival on the Andrés Bello Campus, where the university community and the regional community can get to know UFROs initiatives of internationalization, student mobility opportunities, partnerships, and international cooperation options.

The event, organized by the National and International Student Mobility Office (Vice-rectorate for Academic Affairs) and the Office of General Training and Languages (Vice-rectorate for Undergraduate Affairs) consists of 22 exhibition stands, representing 20 different countries, the RÜPÜ-Program for academic support for students with a Mapuche background, and the Melton Foundation.

According to Antonia Espinoza Corzo, the coordinator of the Student Mobility Office, “this is a unique opportunity to promote mobility opportunities among the students, and to emphasize the advantages of cultural diversity and the knowledge of foreign languages. Through the numerous stands and artistic presentations, the visitors will be able to get to know the cultures and international mobility experiences of the incoming and former outgoing students“.

In an atmosphere of healthy recreation, full of learning opportunities, music, contests, and raffles, there will also be stands that represent UFROs foreign language courses, thus promoting learning a new language as a key tool for intercultural communication and more opportunities for international academic and professional mobility. It is worth mentioning that the event also includes an entertaining photography exhibition of the contest “Student Mobility in Images“.

The countries represented in the festival are: Germany, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile (National Mobility Program), China, Colombia, South Korea, Spain (Catalonia, Basque Country), the USA, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, and the Dominican Republic, as well as the Melton Foundation and the RÜPÜ Program for academic support for students with a Mapuche background.

If you would like to see the full program of the 3rd International Week UFRO, you can find it on internacionalizacion.ufro.cl

Through a Memorandum of Understanding, the Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO) formalized the collaboration between the UFRO Faculty of Engineering and Science and Campbell University in the United States.

This year, the Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO) added a new official international partnership with Campbell University in the United States, through its Faculty of Engineering and Science, which was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by both entities.

This new partnership focuses on the development of educational and research activities, including academic and student exchange in undergraduate and graduate education, as well as the provision of information services and other activities of interest for both institutions.
Campbell University is a private university in North Carolina, founded in 1887. It offers a large variety of study programs with a focus on innovation in the farmaceutical industry, technology, and bioengineering, a vision that matches the profile the Faculty of Engineering and Science of UFRO is aiming at.

“Campbell University started with study programs oriented towards the farmaceutical industry, but over time, they offered new programs focusing on training professionals for the technology industry. Considering this development, this partnership will allow us to acquire and strengthen skills to connect with the technological industrial world,“ commented Dr. Jorge Farías Avendaño, the dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science of UFRO and coordinator of this cooperation.

“This new alliance represents a valuable opportunity to keep strengthening our internationalization process, which is one of the pillars of our University’s Strategic Development Plan for 2024-2028,“ he added.

On behalf of Campbell University, this partnership will be coordinated by Dr. Víctor M. Pulgar, Associate Professor of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Written by: Daphne Bormann Parada, Faculty of Engineering and Science
Translated by: Heike Flatau, UFRO Communications Office 

The Universidad de La Frontera welcomed the group of exchange students with a traditional welcome ceremony.

In the framework of multiculturism, the Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO) welcomed 49 national and international exchange students, who will spend this semester at UFRO, in a welcome ceremony organized by the Internationalization Office.

The ceremony was led by the Vice-rector for Undergraduate Affairs, Dr. Pamela Ibarra Palma, who warmly welcomed the new students. Highlighting the academic process, the authority emphasized that “student mobility is part of UFROs Strategic Internationalization Plan, and receiving students from different universities from Chile and other parts of the world also enriches the training of our local students. It is extremely beneficial to get in touch with different cultures with another perspective regarding the respective fields of study. That is an obvious contribution to the training of our students. The number of students who come to UFRO increased. That is a sign that we are recognized as a prestigious university with enormous possibilities, not only academically, but also culturally,“ she explained.

The director of the Internationalization Office, Dr. Lorena Vieli del Río, indicated: “We are very happy because student mobility is one of the areas we put a lot of effort into. This semester, we have an increase in the number of students from other parts of Chile and the world who come to UFRO. They come from very different countries, guaranteeing a huge cultural diversity that enriches our students‘ lives. We have noticed that they enrich and improve the learning processes and the dynamics in the classroom. What we have to offer is our beautiful region and our culture, two aspects that the foreign students highlight as a unique experience.“

This way, the 49 students from Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Spain, the USA, France, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Peru will spend this second semester at the faculties of Medicine; Law and Business; Education, Social Sciences and Humanities; and Engineering and Science, as well as in our graduate programs, and, for the first time, at our Pucon Campus.
The ceremony took part based on UFROs current Internationalization Strategy, which is a complementation of the university’s Educational Model. It is worth mentioning that the welcome ceremony also included a presentation of the Buddy Program of the Student Mobility Office and a dance presentation by UFROs folklore dance group “Magia Chilena“.
The students

	Sarah Herhaus. Ruhr University Bochum (Germany) “I came here more than a month ago and it has been difficult because I am at the hospital and not at the university. That is why I do not know the other students. I came here to get to know the Chilean health system, to learn the Spanish language, and to get to know the local culture.“
	Cristian Medrano Valdés. Autonomous University of Quintana Roo (Mexico) “I joined the Tourism and Adventure Tourism study programs at the Pucon Campus of UFRO together with two other exchange students. We are very grateful because the people are so kind and have helped us a lot, for example in terms of accommodation, how to move around, and to live the experience of life in Chile. We are enjoying this hospitality and trying to immerse ourselves in the culture as much as possible.“
	Estefanía Mires Reyes. Private University of the North (Peru) “It has been an emotional journey because despite being neighbors, I feel that the biggest difference is the climate. It does not rain in my hometown and we always have a minimum of 13°C, but I am getting used to it, little by little. I am very grateful and especially the Buddy Program has helped a lot. I study Environmental Engineering at UFRO and at home, in Peru, I study Natural Resources Engineering and Monitoring, Restoration of Degraded Environments, Water Resources, Environmental Economic Valuation, and Health and Risk Prevention. My natural environment and my study environment are very pleasant, so I really enjoy this opportunity a lot.“