For the first time in Colombia, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has formed the National Scientific Council (NSC), a team made up of the most important scientists recognized in the country for their careers and academic merits. Dr. Elena Stashenko, UIS researcher, is a new member of the select group of ten scientists.
Through Decree 961 of June 6, 2022, the President of the Republic of Colombia appointed the members of the National Scientific Council (NSC).
The ten researchers that make up the National System of Science, Technology and Innovation (SNCTI) will have the objective of recommending and conceptualizing on conjunctural or structural issues, on a permanent basis to the Government and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. This, in order to support and provide guidelines for the creation, recognition and strengthening of Science Centers.
ELENA STASHENKO
She is Professor Laureate of the Escuela de Química and director of Laboratorio de Cromatografía y Espectrometría de Masas CROM-MASS de la Universidad Industrial de Santander; directora del Centro Nacional de Investigaciones para la Agroindustrialización de Especies Vegetales Aromáticas y Medicinales Tropicales (CENIVAM).
Dr. Elena Stashenko is a graduate of the Chemistry program and holds a PhD in Instrumental Analysis, Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry from Druzhbi Narodov University (UDN) in Moscow. She also completed postdoctoral studies at the Universities of California (Davis, USA), Braunschweig (Germany), Quebec (Canada) and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (Australia).
She was recognized in 2016 and 2020 by the scientific magazine ‘The Analytical Scientist’, as one of the 50 most influential women in analytical sciences in the world, including her in the power list where the 60 most influential analytical scientists in the world are mentioned and among the 10 most important in South America.
UIS researcher Elena Stashenko commented on how she feels about this new science challenge: “Although I have been doing science and research for more than 40 years, it is a huge responsibility, this is another level of work, as I have to recommend to the other scientists which direction to go, guide the students and researchers and suggest the focus of the work; I repeat, it is a mix between joy and responsibility”.
On the other hand, she commented on the projection she has as a scientist in her new role as a member of the CCN: “We must insist on investment in science and technology, there is no doubt that a good education is not possible without the investment of resources. We must pay attention to young people, they will be the future scientists in charge of doing science in the country, science has no borders or nations, it is the merit of producing new knowledge, analyzing and investigating the world. So in this sense it is extremely important to invest in these two aspects, to give a strong message to the new generations: through study we obtain knowledge and wisdom as a fundamental requirement for the progress of our life and of the planet”.
