As the world faces evolving health challenges, international collaboration and public engagement are more critical than ever. In January, Rebecca Dutch, PhD, vice dean for research at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, joined more than 120 global thought leaders at the 14th annual Congreso Futuro in Chile.
Congreso Futuro is organized by the Senate of Chile, the Chamber of Deputies, the Fundación Encuentros del Futuro, the Chilean Academy of Sciences, and universities across the country. The event gathers leading national and international experts in a variety of disciplines to share insights through talks, panels, and interactive sessions.
Dr. Dutch presented “Respiratory Viruses: Part of Life,” which emphasized the wide variety of respiratory viruses, lessons from history on how to address them, and drew on lessons from COVID-19 to frame how we address future outbreaks.
In addition to her presentation in Santiago, Dr. Dutch met Gabriel Boric, the president of Chile, participated in a regional science event in Temuco City, and visited one of the major universities in Santiago. A group of speakers also had the opportunity to tour the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), currently the largest radio telescope in the world.
These experiences extended the impact of the conference beyond formal discussions, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and reinforcing the connection between scientific discovery and public health. Engaging with global leaders, researchers, and students provided a platform for exchanging ideas on the future of health care, pandemic preparedness, and the role of scientific innovation in addressing global challenges.
Dr. Dutch has been a distinguished leader in biomedical research for over two decades. Her leadership shined during the COVID-19 pandemic when she spearheaded the COVID-19 Unified Research Experts (CURE), a team within the College of Medicine’s Alliance Research Initiative dedicated to supporting pandemic-related medical research.
Her research achievements have been recognized nationally, with continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2001. During her tenure at UK, she has served as associate dean for biomedical education, department chair of molecular and cellular biochemistry, and now, vice dean for research.
Dr. Dutch’s participation in Congreso Futuro 2025 highlights her dedication—and that of the College of Medicine—to advancing global health solutions. Through continued research, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, UK remains at the forefront of tackling the world’s most pressing health challenges.
