Elsevier sponsors Latin American science journalists

Fellowships for Science Reporters from Developing Regions support scientific communication across cultures

Elsevier's sponsorship enabled five fellowship recipients from Latin America to cover the latest research and join their fellow science writers from around the world at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting February 12 to 16 in Chicago.

Elsevier is a repeat sponsor of the fellowship program, with an interest in forging collaboration and communication across different countries and cultures. Last year, Elsevier sponsored journalists from the Middle East, and the year before from China.

Fellowship recipients (from left to right): Carlos Albuquerque (Brazil), Nora Lia Bär (Argentina), Valeria Román (Argentina), Maria Paz Sartori (Uruguay) and Guillermo Cardenas (Mexico).

"We are very excited to provide these talented journalists with the opportunity to hear about new scientific breakthroughs and meet with international colleagues," said Shira Tabachnikoff, Director of Corporate Relations. "We believe that supporting scientific dialogue across borders raises the bar on sound science reporting throughout the world."

This year's recipients were Carlos Albuquerque, science columnist, O Globo, Brazil; Nora Lia Bär, science and health editor, La Nación, Argentina; Guillermo Cardenas, science reporter, El Universal, Mexico; Valeria Román, science and medicine reporter, Clarín, Argentina; Maria Paz Sartori, science and technology reporter, Semanaria Búsqueda, Uruguay.

"I think this meeting will be a good update to inform journalists about the main issues concerning the scientific world today and a wonderful chance to meet qualified experts," Maria Paz Satori said before the event. "Through this program, (it will) allow journalists to continue improving as professional, specialised science reporters."

At the meeting, one journalist said she was leaving "with enough stories ideas and scientist contacts to last a year," said Elsevier Corporate Relations Manager Ylann Schemm. "She told me she learned about climate change in a completely new context."

EurekAlert! is a global science news service operated by AAAS. The fellowship program supports their mission to encourageinternational scientific dialogue and advance the communication of science news to the public worldwide. Before the meeting, Nora Lia Bär of La Nación said: "I have dreamt of participating in the AAAS Annual Meeting ever since I began working as a science journalist ... I expect that these days in Chicago will be a unique experience, and will provide us with new tools and visions about our work and about the way we can contribute to develop science in our own country."

For more on the program, visit www.eurekalert.org/fellows.