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Dr. Zeneida Wong, Associate Researcher in the \u201cEnvironmental Sustainability\u201d line at the Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), won the final of the \u201cSolo de Ciencia Chile\u201d Scientific Monologue Tournament, held on Thursday, September 4 at the University of Concepci\u00f3n (UdeC).<\/p>\n
In the monologue that earned her the opportunity to represent Chile in the Ibero-American final of Solo de Ciencia, Dr. Wong addressed the topic of \u201cupwelling shadows\u201d in just three minutes\u2014a subject she explored in her doctoral thesis in 2022.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was quite a challenge because we\u2019re so used to the technical, scientific side of things, and trying to translate that into simpler language was fun. I found the perfect moment to connect science with creativity and emotion to reach the audience,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Wong added that she enthusiastically embraces the mission of representing Chile in the Ibero-American final: \u201cAlthough I\u2019ll be representing Chile, I\u2019m Ecuadorian, but here I was given the opportunity to do science. I think it will be an exciting and interesting challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to Dr. Wong, the tournament brought together ten outstanding researchers from various regions of the country. UdeC Biology student Paula Moreno won the audience award. The event aimed to bring science closer to the public through short, clear, and engaging stories, fostering dialogue between research and society.<\/p>\n
According to Sergio Villagr\u00e1n Z\u00fa\u00f1iga, Director of Solo de Ciencia Chile, this milestone marks a turning point in national science communication: \u201cThis format originated in Spain and has been running for over 10 years. It\u2019s now in its third edition in Ibero-America. In 2025, for the first time in Chile, we took on this challenge and brought it here with the support of the Biob\u00edo Cluster. The format is practical: three minutes to tell a story, captivate the audience with a scientific topic, without slides or props\u2014just body and charisma.\u201d<\/p>\n
Claudio Jim\u00e9nez \u00c1guila, Director of Outreach at UdeC, emphasized: \u201cWe always wanted this to have a national scope. We received around 25 proposals from Punta Arenas to Antofagasta, which confirmed the public\u2019s support for fun and engaging science communication. We had 10 finalists, and we hope Chile\u2019s representative in Quito will make the country proud.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Ibero-American Final of Solo de Ciencia is organized by Spain\u2019s Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), and will take place on November 27 in Quito, Ecuador.<\/p>\n
Photos: UdeC Outreach Office<\/p>\n