Advancing Research
for Global Impact
Tecnológico de Monterrey, a leading higher ed institution in Latin America, is advancing cutting-edge scientific research and translating new knowledge into actionable solutions to address global issues. This distinctive approach, coined as "Science in Action," guides their endeavors. With a strong emphasis on collaboration with leading companies in the private sector, Tec is embarking on ambitious projects that will have a significant impact not only in Mexico but also worldwide. Recognizing the great challenges facing our society today, Tec's groundbreaking research is centered around key areas including obesity, education, and sustainable manufacturing.
The Institute for Obesity Research tackles one of the world’s largest health challenges. A better understanding of obesity helps advance research on chronic diseases such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer to promote early prevention and improve health outcomes. In Mexico and around the world—73% of the Mexican population is medically categorized as obese, while 61 million people are living with diabetes globally–, obesity is closely linked to public health concerns that extend beyond the individual and disproportionately impact underserved communities. Tec researchers are at the forefront of guiding public policy, opening new perspectives around nutrition, addressing cultural stigma, and providing novel approaches that aim to improve public health and well-being for all.
The Institute for the Future of Education (IFE) at Tec is dedicated to addressing present and future educational challenges. In collaboration with global partners, IFE creates, disseminates, and applies research-based educational innovation to improve higher education and lifelong learning responding to rapidly changing industry needs. Through its initiatives, IFE seeks to collaborate with academics, professionals, policymakers, and leaders to co-create the future of education. The institute represents a new milestone for Tec’s ongoing efforts as a leader in innovative learning in Latin America, developing an ecosystem for cutting-edge education approaches that can be applied to education systems around the world and provide millions of people with the skills and experiences needed to be competitive in a modern workforce.
Mexico is one of the world’s most important manufacturing hubs, counting more free-trade agreements than any other country in the world. Tec's Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing is focused on developing innovative technologies to generate new materials and design sustainable manufacturing processes. Tec’s strong partnerships with the private sector, including Mexican Multinational companies such as CEMEX, BOCAR, XIGNUX and FEMSA, demonstrate a commitment to scalable and impactful solutions that address environmental challenges while meeting societal needs. Tec’s focus on sustainability is geared toward developing cutting-edge knowledge in advanced materials to transform manufacturing models that reduce or reverse harmful environmental impacts that threaten our planet.
So, what does Science in Action at Tec look like in practice?
One of Tec's groundbreaking initiatives is the oriGen Project. This longitudinal study aims to address the underrepresentation of Latin American populations in genome sequencing studies, which are crucial for biomedical research. Genomic research plays a vital role in understanding the genetic components associated with various diseases. However, the vast majority of genome sequencing studies are led by European and American organizations, resulting in a lack of representation from Latin American populations, which comprise only 5% to 7% of such studies today.
The oriGen Project aims to bridge this gap by conducting the largest genetic sequencing study ever done in Latin America. Tec researchers are collecting genomic and epidemiological data from over 100,000 Mexican citizens in order to create a comprehensive biobank database that will provide data and insights and fuel research to develop faster and more accurate diagnoses that will transform policymaking in health.
As the largest private, non-profit institution in the region, Tec possesses the infrastructure and resources to succeed in the development of this unprecedented genetic database. TecSalud–their large-scale health system advancing care, education and research in Mexico– will facilitate the collection of a sizable and representative sample of the Mexican population. The data and insights that will arise from the study will allow researchers to understand how genetic variations in diseases affect populations and shed light on the genetic makeup of people in Latin America, an important global contribution to mapping the human genome.
Tecnológico de Monterrey is a hub for interdisciplinary research and a catalyst for economic development and societal empowerment. Through initiatives like the oriGen Project and specialized research institutes tackling pressing issues in education, obesity and sustainable manufacturing, Tec is making significant contributions to the global research landscape. Their commitment to leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship nurtures an ecosystem that maximizes social impact and disseminates new technologies that lead the way in scientific advancement for the benefit of society worldwide.
This content was paid for and created by Tecnológico de Monterrey. The editorial staff of The Chronicle had no role in its preparation. Find out more about paid content.
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