We are pleased to announce that Dr. Caro has been appointed as a member of the Editorial Board of the renowned journal Construction and Building Materials, published by Elsevier. This appointment highlights Dr. Caro’s significant contribution to the field of construction materials and strengthens the influence of our research group within the international scientific community. Congratulations, Dr. Caro, on this remarkable achievement!

Our research group successfully participated in the recent XXII Ibero-Latin American Asphalt Congress (CILA), which was held recently. At this important international meeting, Professor Silvia Caro and doctoral student Angelica Viana presented their research, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field of asphalt.

Professor Silvia Caro presented a paper titled “The Formation of New Professional Profiles to Meet the New Needs of the Industry.” Angelica Viana, a doctoral student, discussed her study “Effect of the Addition of Encapsulated Rejuvenators on the Mechanical Behavior of Asphalt Mortars.”

In total, our university contributed four technical papers, in collaboration with academics from the Industrial University of Santander, the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and the University of Bío-Bío in Chile.

We thank and congratulate all the members of the group for their effort and dedication at this international event.

In a recent study published in Environment Systems and Decisions, researchers Mauricio Sánchez-Silva and Jack W. Baker introduce the concept of “Dynamic Infrastructure Systems” (DIS). This approach addresses the growing gap between infrastructure needs and investments, particularly in middle and low-income countries, significantly impacting environmental sustainability.

DIS proposes adaptive infrastructure design and management that supports sustainable growth and adaptation. The authors emphasize the need for a strategic vision that adapts to future uncertainties, suggesting a critical shift in how urban infrastructures are planned and managed.

This study serves as a call to action for urban planners and managers, underscoring the importance of preparing our cities for the challenges of climate change and sustainable development.

For more details about this study and the proposed reforms, please consult the complete article at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10669-024-09969-8.

In a recent article, PhD student Lina Leon, ain collaboration with PhD. Andrés Virguez and PhD. Lyssa Freese, address the significance of a more equitable representation of the Global South in the field of climate sciences. The research, published in one of the leading journals in the field, examines the volume of scientific publications produced in the top 10 most influential journals in this area, revealing a limited representation of countries from the Global South, with the exception of China.

The research team also discusses the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to end affirmative action in college admissions, which could jeopardize the ability of higher education institutions to attract members from underrepresented minorities. This sets a concerning precedent that other countries might follow.

Based on an analysis contrasting the perspectives of the Global South with the challenges faced by the Global North in terms of climate mitigation, the authors issue a call to action directed at senior leaders in the higher education sector and scientific societies. They urge the implementation of immediate reforms to facilitate equitable access to science, empower local perspectives, and provide pathways for members of historically underrepresented groups to access the necessary resources to pursue scientific careers in climate sciences.

For more details about this study and the proposed reforms, please consult the complete article at Link.

Professor Silvia Caro Spinel will present the topic “Advances and challenges in characterizing moisture damage in asphalt mixes” at the 1st Panamanian Asphalt Congress.

This presentation addresses the study and identification of damage that moisture can cause in asphalt mixes, as well as advances and challenges in their characterization.

For further details, please refer to https://ipafundacion.com.