Binational Center Supports Seed Projects with CONACyT Funds

The U.S.-Mexico Binational Center for Environmental Sciences and Toxicology (Binational Center) receives funds from Mexico’s Commission of Science and Technology (CONACyT) to support diverse activities from specialized workshops to scientific fellowships.  Since 2003, CONACyT has partnered with the Binational Center in order to implement projects and activities.  They have been a key collaborator and helped leverage funds from other U.S. entities in order to accomplish deliverables.

In 2009, funding was utilized to set up support for three seed projects for research activities in Mexico.  Mexican partners of the Binational Center were invited to submit proposals in the topics of environmental sciences, engineering and/or health.  The goal of the seed project program was to encourage Mexican partners to leverage additional funding from other sources in Mexico (e.g. CARSO, PAHO, municipalities, industry etc.).  The research project would have a length of 1- 2 years and should incorporate a U.S. partner.  At the same time, the call for proposals stressed a community outreach component when it came to disseminating finds of the project.

 
The projects that were selected include:

• Dr. Fernando Diaz-Barriga from Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, “Indicators of exposure of children to neurotoxins”
• Dr. Oscar Talavara Mendoza from Universidad Autonoma de Guerrero, “Phytostabilization of mine tailings contains toxic metals”
• Dr. Rogelio Recio from Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, “Trivalent inorganic arsenic and genetic expression”

Please join us in congratulating Drs. Diaz-Barriga, Talavara Mendoza, and Recio.