58th OWSD National Chapter established in Argentina

In June 2025, Argentina became the 58th country to establish an active OWSD National Chapter. 

The Costa Rica National Chapter is the 8th chapter to be established in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. It is hosted at the  Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo of the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (IML-UNT) in San Miguel de Tucumán. 

The new Executive Committee of the National Chapter is formed by:

Chair: Virginia Helena Albarracín, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e IML, Universidad Nacional De Tucumán/Centro Integral de Microscopía Electrónica (CIME-UNT-CONICET) Vice-Chair: Marcela Vignoli, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e IML/CONICET Secretary: Noelia Carmona, CONICET Treasurer: Maria Laura Cordero, CONICET Communications Coordinator: Yesenia Maria Angola Silvera, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas Departamento de Ciencias Farmacéuticas/UNITEFA-CONICET. Career Development and Learning Coordinator: Natalia Lorena Pacioni, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Departamento de Química Orgánica/Instituto de Investigaciones en Fisicoquímica de Córdoba (INFIQC), CONICET Networking and Dissemination Coordinator: Ana Gabriela Grunfeld, CONICET/Departamento de Física Teórica - Centro Atómico Constituyentes (CAC) - Comisión Nacional de energía Atómica (CNEA)  

The Argentina Chapter seeks to remove barriers to women’s full participation in science by tackling gender bias, limited resources, underrepresentation in leadership, and funding inequities through scholarships, mentorship, leadership training, networking events, and advocacy for equitable opportunities. 

"It is clear that women in Argentina, as worldwide, continue to face significant gender disparities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields," said the National Chapter. "This is particularly important in the current times when the Argentine government is clearly reducing funding for science and social support for women, affecting caregiving tasks as well. These budget cuts exacerbate existing challenges faced by women in science, making it even more critical to establish a support network. A national chapter from a prestigious international institution such as OWSD can help address these imbalances by providing targeted support, resources, and advocacy for women scientists." 

At the time of establishment, OWSD had 48 members in the country. Women scientists from or living in Argentina who are not already members of OWSD can become members here. Members who are interested in joining the National Chapter are invited to contact valbarracin@csnat.unt.edu.ar.