The 21 members of the academic community of the University of Cauca presented their research projects on Nanotechnology and Biomaterials, Chemical Synthesis, Medicinal Chemistry, Natural Products Chemistry, Industrial Biotechnology, Catalysis, and Chemistry Education.

Thirteen students and eight professors from the Chemistry program at the University of Cauca showcased their research progress and results during the 1st International Symposium on Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Innovative Materials (SIQBMI), the 1st Colombian Meeting of Inorganic Chemistry (ECQI), and the 2nd Forum on Medicinal Chemistry. The event took place from August 12 to 14, 2025, at the University of Magdalena in Santa Marta.

Students from the research groups BICAMSA, Catalysis, GIPEL, QCB, and QPN, all affiliated with the Department of Chemistry, presented their work in areas such as Nanotechnology and Biomaterials, Chemical Synthesis, Medicinal Chemistry, Natural Products Chemistry, Industrial Biotechnology, Catalysis, and Chemistry Education, with a focus on green chemistry.

Photograph: Students of the University of Cauca during the 1st International Symposium on Chemistry, Biotechnology, and Innovative Materials (SIQBMI).

A total of 21 projects were presented, including: advances in the extraction of NSAID-type drugs from water samples using magnetic nanoparticles and the evaluation of the effects of emerging pharmaceutical contaminants on fungal growth; the development of analytical methods for sericin analysis and the reliability of anti-obesity dietary supplements; innovation in food products derived from trout and quinoa; studies on Terpyridine Complexes and the synthesis of salen using emerging techniques; synthesis and characterization of new lanthanide metal coordination polymers; optimization of biomass generation for third-generation biodiesel production; degradation of microplastics using titanium dioxide photocatalysts supported on graphene oxides; and the preparation of an electrocatalyst from coconut fiber for methanol electrooxidation.

The Colombian Meeting of Inorganic Chemistry, whose scientific committee included Professor Richard Fernando D’Vries from the University of Cauca, set out to create opportunities to strengthen ties with the national and international scientific community, fostering knowledge transfer and the creation of collaborative networks.

Written by: Communications Management Center