The Industrial University of Santander (UIS) continues to consolidate its position as an international benchmark in scientific research. Thanks to the academic mobility program of the Vice-Rectorate for Research and Extension, the School of Geology has strengthened a strategic alliance with the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), enabling the development of high-impact research on the geological history of the Santander Massif, in coordination with the Chicamocha Canyon Geopark project.
The visit of Professor Mauro César Geraldes, an expert geologist in geochronology and professor at UERJ, has been key to this collaboration. Together with UIS professors and researchers, he is working on the analysis of geological materials from the Santander Massif, applying state-of-the-art dating techniques. These studies make it possible to establish the age and origin of the rock formations, providing crucial information for understanding the geological evolution of the Andes and their connection to supercontinents such as Rodinia, formed more than a billion years ago.
The significance of these findings lies not only in their historical and scientific value. “These rocks are economically important because of their mineral concentrations,” explains Professor Geraldes, highlighting the potential of this information for regional development. He also emphasizes the relevance of the Geopark project as a tool for scientific dissemination, integrating geological, paleontological, and archaeological knowledge of value to world heritage.
Professor Luis Carlos Mantilla Figueroa, a lecturer at the School of Geology, highlights the value of this synergy: “The State University of Rio de Janeiro has a world-leading analytical infrastructure, which means that the conceptual advances of this research have enormous positive implications, not only for the academic world, but also for society in general.”
One of the elements most valued by Professor Geraldes has been the scientific level of the UIS team: “The colleagues here have a deep knowledge of their territory. They identify outcrops and geological routes and have a solid knowledge base about the Santander Massif, which is essential for the quality of the research.”
AI: an ally in 21st-century geology
In a constantly evolving scientific context, artificial intelligence (AI) has become an essential tool for analyzing large volumes of data. “AI allows us to interpret numerical results with previously unimaginable efficiency. It helps us discover patterns and hypotheses that might otherwise go unnoticed,” says Geraldes. He adds that many of these results also have economic implications, as several of the rocks studied contain valuable minerals with potential for future exploration.
This international collaboration also strengthens the training of new generations of scientists. Master’s and doctoral students at UIS actively participate in these projects, gaining practical experience, using cutting-edge technology, and contributing to the advancement of knowledge through their academic work. “This is a key step in ensuring generational renewal and keeping high-level geological research alive in Latin America,” says expert Mauro Cesar Geraldes.
With strategic alliances, a vision for the future, and transformative research, the Industrial University of Santander demonstrates that from the heart of Santander, it is possible to unlock the secrets of our planet’s geological past and contribute to a more informed, sustainable, and science-connected future.
