Research
Research on campus
Universidad San Sebastián is committed to fostering a culture of research, knowledge, creation, and innovation, contributing to academic excellence while promoting the development of individuals, society, and the environment.
USS is experiencing rapid growth in research endeavors, with over 300 principal investigators (PIs) primarily dedicated to research while also teaching undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral courses. These researchers form strong collaborative groups through active collaboration, many of whom are also part of the academic faculty that supports the university’s doctoral programs.
Currently, USS offers 10 doctoral programs across diverse fields, including Biology, Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Engineering, Chronic Diseases, Philosophy, History, Immunology, and Microbiology. These programs are designed to train researchers with the skills needed to address complex societal challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative approaches.
The University’s growth in research and development is further supported by partnerships with centers of excellence, including Fundación Ciencia para la Vida and the Center for Scientific Studies (CECs). These collaborations have enhanced the university’s capacity for advanced research and technological innovation, fostering interdisciplinary teamwork and high-impact projects.
Recently, the prestigious Nature Research Leaders 2024 ranking placed USS among the top 10 research institutions in Chile. The University provides a thriving environment for research, with state-of-the-art facilities and open labs that support a wide range of disciplines.
Santiago
In Santiago, research across the three campuses: Los Leones, Bellavista, and Ciudad Universitaria – covers a wide range of cutting-edge fields, including biomedicine (focused on cancer, metabolism, and chronic diseases), cellular biology, neuroscience, immunology, and biotechnology. Additionally, significant work is conducted in data science, engineering, theoretical physics, as well as in psychology, history, law and philosophy.
Concepción
In Concepción, at Las Tres Pascualas Campus, the main research areas include education and history, engineering and nanobiotechnology, rehabilitation sciences, nutrition and health.
Valdivia
In Valdivia, the Valdivia Campus excels in research in nutrition and healthy eating, cellular biology and biomedicine, theoretical physics, psychology, and economics. Along with the Patagonia Campus in Puerto Montt, it also serves as a key gateway to scientific studies on southern ecosystems and biodiversity.
Puerto Montt
The Patagonia Campus has become a hub for research on human, animal, and ecosystem health (“One Health”) focusing on virology and biomedicine, biodiversity, and aquaculture.
Facilities
Universidad San Sebastián offers cutting-edge research facilities across all its campuses, supporting a wide range of disciplines. These facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art technology for molecular biology, health sciences, engineering, biochemistry, nanotechnology, and advanced materials. Researchers have access to high-performance microscopes, PCR and qPCR systems, histology tools, protein analysis equipment, and cell culture technologies, among other resources essential for groundbreaking research.
Specialized laboratories at our campuses in Santiago, Concepción, Valdivia, and Patagonia campuses operate under an open-lab setup, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas among researchers, assistants, and students. This approach breaks down barriers, encouraging a dynamic environment where interdisciplinary cooperation thrives, enriching the research process.
Our institutional alliances with clinical campuses, hospitals, and research centers such as the FALP Foundation (focused on cancer research) and CIBA (specializing in aquaculture and pathology) provide access to an extensive network of resources, infrastructure, and data.
It is also worth highlighting the USS regional presence through strategic alliances and research projects with regional governments, as well as public and private organizations. These partnerships enable research that aligns with the specific needs and characteristics of the surrounding territories and directly benefits local industries and communities.
