Dr. Michael Seeger Assumes Presidency of the Chilean Biology Society
With a distinguished career in research and teaching, the specialist will lead the organization to strengthen its role in promoting and disseminating biological sciences at the national level.
This Friday, at the Casa Central of the University of Chile, Dr. Michael Seeger Pfeiffer officially assumed the presidency of the Chilean Biology Society after serving as vice president since 2023, a position for which he was elected with broad support from its members.
A professor at the Federico Santa María Technical University (UTFSM in spanish) and director of the Millennium Nucleus for Bioproducts, Genomics, and Environmental Microbiology (BioGEM), he will lead the nearly 100-year-old organization, taking on the role of promoting research and scientific outreach in the country.
Dr. Seeger expressed this in his speech, highlighting the honor of becoming the first representative from Valparaíso and the second from outside Santiago to hold this position. He also praised the work of the board and emphasized that his leadership will seek to "continue advancing biology and its diverse disciplines, as well as its research, education, and community engagement activities".
After the ceremony, he reflected on the significance of the event, thanking the participation of the University of Chile's rector, Dr. Rosa Devés, and noting the "profound historical significance of the gathering, with the presence of the board and past presidents of the organization".
Additionally, he stressed the fundamental role of the Chilean Biology Society as "the parent organization of all other groups in the field," underscoring that his leadership will not only prioritize annual conferences but also "promote joint activities with the University of Chile in science outreach, encouraging young and future students to embrace biology as a field of study and its contributions to society".
This sentiment was echoed by the University of Chile's rector, Dr. Rosa Devés, who stated: "The Chilean Biology Society, with its diversity and its community that engages respectfully through reason and evidence, is more important today than ever, as we are more interconnected and the world has grown smaller. What happens in one place quickly reaches another, including those who do not believe in science or knowledge generation, thus threatening universities and institutions. In this sense, it is truly an honor for us to have you close and to strengthen this alliance that enriches us. There is immense value in being a community, even in challenging times".
Meanwhile, outgoing president Dr. Marco Méndez described the ceremony as "deeply moving", noting that "it reflected the spirit of our organization: inclusive, collaborative, and working toward a common purpose—the well-being of the Chilean Biology Society and its connection with the national community".
Over 90 Years Promoting Biological Sciences
The Chilean Biology Society was founded in 1928 as a branch of the Société de Biologie de Paris. Since its inception, it has been a cornerstone for the development of biological sciences in Chile, fostering research and promoting scientific dissemination. Today, the society is affiliated with the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS).
Among its key activities, the Society organizes regular scientific meetings where national and international research is presented and discussed. It also publishes three prominent journals: Revista Chilena de Historia Natural (founded in 1897), Biological Research (established in 1964), and a monthly newsletter highlighting activities and events related to biological sciences.
From Academia to Leadership
Dr. Michael Seeger is a biochemist and holds a Ph.D. in Sciences from the University of Chile (1996), where he completed his doctoral thesis at the Gesellschaft für Biotechnologische Forschung Institute in Braunschweig, Germany.
With an outstanding career in research and training (mentoring Ph.D., master's, and professional students in natural sciences and engineering), he specializes in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and Microbiology, with applications in environmental bioremediation, microbial production of biotechnological compounds, and bioproduct development.
Currently, he serves as a full professor in the Department of Chemistry at UTFSM and is director of the Millennium Nucleus BioGEM, an initiative funded by the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID in spanish). He also leads the Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology (LabMMBA), the "Daniel Alkalay Lowitt" Biotechnology Center, and the UTFSM-PUCV Doctoral Program in Biotechnology.
He is an active member of the Chilean Biology Society, the Chilean Microbiology Society (SOMICH), the International Society for Microbial Ecology, the American Society for Microbiology, the Spanish Society for Microbiology, and the European Federation of Biotechnology. Previously, he served as president of SOMICH (2004–2008) and led the Latin American Microbiology Association (2004–2006). He was also part of SOMICH's Membership Committee from 2010 to 2018.
Among his accolades are the Scopus Chile 2013 Award (Elsevier and CONICYT) for the high impact of his research in Biology and Biotechnology, the American Academy of Microbiology Fellowship (2009, USA), the Max Planck Society Fellowship (2010–2011, Germany), and the Honorary Member Award from the Cuban Society of Chemistry (2018, Cuba).
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