The president opened a new CEPAVE building in La Plata

Through videoconferencing, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner inaugurated the new building of the Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE, CONICET – UNLP) [Centre of Parasitology and Vectors –CEPAVE, CONICET, UNLP-] in the city of La Plata, province of Buenos Aires. At the new buiding, the event was headed by the president of the CONICET, Dr. Roberto Salvarezza; the vice president of the Universidad Nacional de La Plata- UNLP- [National University of La Plata], Dr. Fernando Tauber; the Undersecretary of Institutional Coordination of the Ministry of Science, Technlogy and Productive Innovation, Dr. Sergio Matheos; and the mayor of La Plata, Pablo Bruera.

With a CONICET investment of ARS $11,770,000, the construction of the facilities began in 2010 on the premises of the Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo de La Plata [Faculty of Natural Sciences and Museum of La Plata], in 122 and 60 street. The building has a ground floor and two floors with 1576,43 square metres. It has offices, a multipurpose room, lift, 17 research laboratories – some of them with special equipment for microscopic abservation-, animal facilities with specific temperatures and space for greenhouses.

The President stated that “this inauguration is a step forward for the city, the country and science, and it is part of the founding policy of our programme for science and technology”.

Besides, President Cristina Fernández remarked that “the CEPAVE used to be a small house and now we are incorporating 17 laboratories. We congratulate all Argentine people because we are contributing to applied science, the productive sector and to the solutions for life problems”.

For his part, Salvarezza indicated that “these 1,600 square metres will allow us to have a structure in accordance to the state policy”. He added that “in this place, scientists will conduct research like in the best institutes of the world”.

“Currently, at this centre, there are 70 fellows and researchers that with their knowledge enhance the scientific and technological development of the country”, the president of the CONICET highlighted.

Likewise, the director of the CEPAVE, Dr Alda González, explained that “the core of this centre is the study of natural enemies and their roles as biocontrols. We are glad with this achievement that will enable us to develop our infrastructure and human resources”.

Doctors Juan José García and Marcela Schneider, researchers at the Scientific Research Committee of the Province of Buenos Aires and the CONICET, respectively, also attended the videoconferencing, as well as other authorities of the Council, the Centro Científico Tecnológico CONICET La Plata [Scientific and Technological Centre of CONICET La Plata], researchers, fellows, technicians and administrative personnel.

The videoconferencing took place during the closing ceremony of the young people of the Association of Metal Industries conference of Argentina (ADMIRA) where the President contacted not only authorities at La Plata, but also from the National University of La Matanza and the Departamento Central de la Policía Federal Central Department of the Federal Police.

Founded on the 7th of May in 1979, the CEPAVE is a reference centre for scientific research in systematics, biology, parasitology, invertebrate’s pathology, predatory arthropods, ecology and ecotoxicology. It provides constant support, technical-scientific training and transference to the public and private sectors.

The Centre has 33 researchers, 34 fellows and 17 members of the Technician and Support Staff career, whose research lines are oriented to the study of pathogens (virus, bacteria, protists, fungi and nematodes), parasites (macro and micro-parasites), vectors (hematophagous insects), predators (mites, arachnids, insects), parasitoids and insect pests and pollinators. The research teams conduct studies on Systematics, Ecology, Parasitology, Invertebrate’s Pathology, Ecotoxicology and Biological Control.