The life Science Congress
3rd Edition
General Information
Execution Period:
From Wednesday 12 to Sunday 16 November 2025.
Place::
Puerto Ayora-Galapagos, Ecuador, Center for Renewable Energies.
Objetive:
To provide new knowledge, tools and skills in the different branches of biology, biomedical engineering and other disciplines of the Life Sciences, both to university students and professionals and researchers interested in these areas; through the presentation of keynote talks, oral presentations and posters where students, professionals and researchers present the results of their research work.
Aimed at:
- Interested general public.
- Students and professors of Yachay Tech University.
- Students and professors of the National Polytechnic School.
- Students and professors of universities or institutions of higher education inside and outside the country.
Responsible Organizations:
- School of Biological Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Polytechnic School.
- Yachay Tech Biomedical Engineering and Biology Student Association
Background:
The first and second editions of the Life Science YT Congress were held in September 2022 and March 2023 at the facilities of Yachay Tech University. This first edition was attended by around 120 people and the objective was met that students from the different careers of the University and professionals present the research work in which they were doing, these projects being curricular works of the various subjects or degree projects. The event lasted 2 days, where we had the participation of national and international speakers for the keynote talks; and around 60 poster presentations by students from the University and outside it. Likewise, there was the collaboration of several clubs and organizations who contributed with the logistics, dissemination of the event, etc. In addition, there was the support of sponsors who awarded prizes to the best presenters in each of the categories handled. The second edition was welcomed by more than 300 attendees from all regions of the country, we have the sponsorship of entities and companies that normally collaborate with the ECBI, in this congress 200 works were received, including oral presentations and posters.
Event Speakers:
Dr. Boris A. Vinatzer
Dr. Vinatzer received an M.S. in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in Plant Sciences in 1995 from the University of Bologna (Italy) and a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology in 2000, also from the University of Bologna. From 2000 to 2004, he was a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Chicago. In 2004, he joined Virginia Tech where he is now Professor at the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences. During his PhD, he identified the first disease resistance gene of a fruit tree, which was confirmed by genetic transformation leading to the first fruit tree genetically engineered for disease resistance. During his postdoc, he shifted his attention to bacterial pathogens and played a key role in identifying the almost complete repertoire of virulence factors in the bacterial plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae. After he joined Virginia Tech, he continued his research on bacterial plant pathogens but shifted to the use of genome sequencing to understand the evolution of bacterial pathogenesis. Fascinated by the potential of next generation sequencing, he focused even more on genomics and developed a new approach for genome-based classification and identification of prokaryotes with strain-level resolution. Currently, he is expanding the same approach to fungi and viruses to develop resources for fast, reliable, and precise identification of emerging pathogens to make it more likely to uncover outbreaks before they turn into epidemics and pandemics. During his career, Dr. Vinatzer has published over 100 peer-reviewed research articles, conference proceeding, and book chapters and has mentored over a dozen graduate students and postdocs. He is also active in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses.
Dr. Anibal Pauchard Cortes
Dr. Pauchard is Professor at the Faculty of Forestry Sciences of the University of Concepción (Chile) and Director of the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB). He was the founding Director of the Biological Invasions Laboratory (LIB) and co-founder of the Mountain Invasions Research Network (MIREN). His research focuses on the ecology of biological invasions and their impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functions. He has studied invasion processes at scales ranging from local to intercontinental. In recent years, his work has increasingly focused on environmental policy and the translation of conservation science into real-world action. He has published over 200 indexed articles, more than 20 book chapters, and five books. He serves as an associate editor for several scientific journals, including Biological Invasions, npj Biodiversity, and Conservation Letters. He has received multiple national and international awards, including the 2018 Cooper Award from the Ecological Society of America (ESA). He also served as co-chair of the IPBES invasive species assessment (2019–2023) and contributed to the IPBES Americas regional assessment (2015–2018).
Dr. Leonel Vasquez Cevallos
Dr. Vasquez earned a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). Currently, he serves as the General Coordinator of the simulation clinic SIMUEES and is a Principal Investigator at Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo (UEES). He also chairs the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBS) Ecuador Chapter. Dr. Vasquez's research has a strong focus on medical simulation and telemedicine and has evolved to include wearable biomedical sensors and the application of artificial intelligence in healthcare. His current research integrates telemedicine platforms with AI-enhanced clinical simulation to improve specialist training and expand healthcare delivery in underserved regions. This work aligns with a broader vision for digital health innovation, combining cutting-edge technology with practical medical education and access.
Esteban Patricio Ortiz, M.Sc.
Esteban Ortiz is a Mechanical Engineer with a Master's degree in Bioengineering. His expertise spans both hard and soft tissue biomechanics and mechanobiology, with a focus on modeling cardiovascular, respiratory, intestinal, and musculoskeletal systems. He has applied this knowledge to research aimed at understanding the mechanics of human organs, tissues, and cells, as well as their applications in medical device development and tissue engineering, both in the United States and Ecuador.
Dr. Erika Sofía Velasco Jara
Dr. Velasco is a Medical Doctor with a degree in General Medicine and Surgery from the Central University of Ecuador (UCE) and has over 20 years of experience in the field of occupational health. She holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Health and Safety from Universidad Internacional SEK, as well as a Master’s degree in Continuing Education in Clinical Biomechanics, awarded by the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain.
Throughout her career, Dr. Velasco has specialized in the application of biomechanics to the workplace, with a strong focus on risk prevention and the promotion of occupational well-being. She has actively led and participated in biomechanical evaluations aimed at improving worker health and safety through evidence-based interventions. She currently serves as General Manager of the Biomechanics Institute of Ecuador, where she leads innovative initiatives that integrate human movement science with workplace safety.
Event Overview
The Life Science YT Congress 2025 will consist of: (1) keynote talks by national and international researchers of recognized prestige in the areas of interest of the event, (2) oral presentations of outstanding research papers by students and faculty, (3) posters of advances of student research papers; and (4) spaces for the dissemination of clubs, associations, research groups and enterprises.
The event will last three days, each day there will be keynote talks, oral presentations and posters of two of the four categories proposed. Attendance at the event in its entirety will have a differential cost.
Both the keynote talks, and oral and poster presentations will be aligned in the following axes and themes:
Biomedical Engineering
Biomechanics and Orthopedics
Medical Bioinformatics and Clinical Artificial Intelligence
Electrophysiology / Biomedical Devices
Imaging and Signal Processing
Biosensors / Biophysics
Biomaterials for medical use
Cell Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics
Immunotherapy
Pharmacobiology
Molecular biology
In vitro toxicology
Genetics
Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology
Bioinformatics
Microbiology
Clinical Microbiology
Industrial Microbiology
Microbial ecology
Pathogenicity
Bioremediation
Ecology, Conservation and Ecosystem Services
Biodiversity and community structure
Biogeography and phylogenetics
Conservation Biology
Identification of sentinel species
Evolutionary and functional ecology
Ecosystem services
Biomaterials in Agro/Soil and Water Remediation Applications
Submission
| Appearance | Details |
|---|---|
| Submission deadline: | 30th of August 2025 |
| Abstract extension: | Maximun 500 words |
| Maximum number of authors: | 5 authors |
| Maximum number of articles per author: | 2 items |
| Language: | English |
| Originality: | Original research not presented at other events or under review in other publications |
| Field of research: | Engineering and science, specifically on the topics of the conference. |
| Abstract structure: | Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, References |
| Manuscript format: | Word template for Mac, Word template for PC, Overleaf (LaTeX), and guidelines for Springer conference proceedings, indexed Scopus Q4. |
| Peer review: | Double blind |
| Anti-plagiarism policy: | Inspection with Turnitin and other services |
| Publication: | Full text article submitted post congress will be published after peer review, indexed in Scopus Q4 |
| Presentation at the event: | Oral presentation and posters by at least one of the authors |
| Best paper award: | At the end of the event |
Checklist for submission preparation
As part of the submission process, authors are required to verify that their abstract submission complies with all of the following. Abstracts that do not comply with these guidelines will be returned to the authors.
- Research has not been previously published nor has been submitted for consideration by any other journal/conference (or an explanation has been provided in the editor’s comments).
- The Abstract follows exactly the format recommendations established in the conference templates.
- The Abstract includes figures and tables at the end of the document.
- Tables were built-in Word and are not presented as images.
The event will last three (5) days, each day there will be keynote talks, oral presentations and posters of two (2) of the four (4) categories proposed. Attendance at the event in its entirety will have a differential cost.
Sponsors
Con el auspicio de:
Con el apoyo de:
Paquetes de Auspicio para el Life Science Congress 2025
Contribución mínima: 500USD ∣ Contribución maxima: 3,000 USD
1. Paquete Plata: Aliado Académico
Contribución: 500–1,000 USD
Beneficios:
Visibilidad básica:
Logo incluido en materiales del evento (afiches, programa físico/digital, banners).
Mención en publicaciones de redes sociales (2 posts durante el evento).
Presencia en el evento:
Espacio pequeño para stand o distribución de material promocional.
Una inscripción gratuita para el congreso.
Reconocimiento:
- Agradecimiento en la página web del evento (sección de auspiciantes).
Ideal para: Empresas locales, startups o instituciones que buscan visibilidad inicial en la comunidad académica.
2. Paquete Oro: Socio Estratégico
Contribución: 1,001–2,000 USD
Beneficios:
Todo lo incluido en el Paquete Plata +
Visibilidad ampliada:
Logo en diapositivas de apertura y cierre del evento.
Mención verbal durante las charlas magistrales (2 veces al día).
Espacio destacado en la página web del evento (con enlace a su sitio).
Presencia en el evento:
Stand de tamaño mediano con ubicación privilegiada.
Dos inscripciones gratuitas + acceso a sesiones exclusivas.
Impacto social:
- Apoyo a becas de movilidad estudiantil (2 estudiantes beneficiados).
Ideal para: Empresas medianas, laboratorios o editoriales científicas que buscan consolidar su marca en el sector.
3. Paquete Platino: Partner Científico
Contribución: 2,001–3,000 USD
Beneficios:
Todo lo incluido en el Paquete Oro +
Visibilidad exclusiva:
Patrocinio exclusivo de una charla magistral o sesión temática (ej: “Charla Magistral Biomédica auspiciada por [su marca]”).
Logo destacado en todos los materiales y certificados del evento.
Video promocional de 1 minuto antes de las sesiones clave.
Experiencia VIP:
Cuatro inscripciones gratuitas con acceso VIP (incluye almuerzos y coffee breaks premium).
Participación en la ceremonia de premiación (entrega de un reconocimiento).
Impacto social destacado:
- Financiamiento parcial para 5 becas de movilidad estudiantil.
Mención especial en el informe final del congreso.
Ideal para: Grandes empresas, multinacionales o instituciones con interés en posicionarse como líderes en innovación científica.
Notas adicionales:
- Contribuciones flexibles: Los montos pueden ajustarse según objetivos específicos del auspiciante (ej: patrocinio de la visita a Galápagos).
- Personalización: Para contribuciones mayores a $2,500 USD, se diseñan paquetes a medida (ej: talleres exclusivos, branding en kits de participantes).
- Beneficios fiscales: Todas las contribuciones son deducibles de impuestos, según la normativa ecuatoriana.
¡Únase a nosotros para impulsar la ciencia y la innovación en América Latina!
Contacto: lsc2025@yachaytech.edu.ec
Program
| Day 1: Nov 12, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Time | Activity |
| 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Registration & Welcome Coffee |
| 9:30 AM – 9:45 AM | Opening Remarks |
| 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Dr. Boris A. Vinatzer Plant Pathology |
| 11:00 AM – 11:15 AM | Networking Break |
| 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM | Oral presentations |
| 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Dr. Leonel Vasquez Cevallos Medical simulation and telemedicine |
| 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM | Afternoon Break |
| 3:15 PM – 5:30 PM | Oral presentations |
| 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Daily Recap & Closing Remarks |
| Day 2: Nov 13, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Time | Activity |
| 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Oral presentations |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Esteban Patricio Ortiz, M.Sc. Bioengineering |
| 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM | Break |
| 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Oral presentations |
| 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Keynote Speaker 2: [Name / Topic] |
| 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM | Break |
| 3:15 PM – 5:30 PM | Oral presentations |
| 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM | Networking & Closing |
| Day 3: Nov 14, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Time | Activity |
| 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Oral presentations |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Dr. Erika Sofía Velasco Jara Biomechanics |
| 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM | Break |
| 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Oral presentations |
| 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Dr. Anibal Pauchard Cortes Ecology and Biodiversity |
| 3:00 PM – 3:15 PM | Break |
| 3:15 PM – 5:30 PM | Oral presentations |
| 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Final Closing & Awards Ceremony |
| Day 4: Nov 15, 2025 – Galapagos Islands Visit | |
|---|---|
| Time | Activity |
| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Departure |
| 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Guided Tour: Wildlife & Conservation Sites |
| 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM | Lunch at Local Restaurant |
| 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Exploration: Beaches & Unique Ecosystems |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Free Time / Souvenir Shopping |
Registration
| ON-SITE AND ON-LINE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Date | |||
| Participant | Early bird | Regular fee | Early bird | Regular fee |
| YT and EPN students | 120 | 160 | -- | before oct 15th |
| YT and EPN staff | 200 | 275 | ||
| Students from other institutions | 170 | 210 | ||
| Professional or Academic staff from other institutions | 300 | 350 | ||
Turistic Information
To ensure a smooth arrival and stay in the Galápagos, please review the following key requirements and recommendations:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.
- Round-trip Ticket: Proof of a return flight is mandatory.
- Confirmed Accommodation: Travelers must present documentation of their hotel reservation.
- Transit Control Card (TCT): All visitors must obtain this card before boarding their flight to the islands. It currently costs US $20 and is not exempted.
https://siig-cgreg.gobiernogalapagos.gob.ec/tct/emission?lang=en
- National Park Entrance Fee: Payment of this fee is generally required upon arrival in Baltra or San Cristóbal. However, due to ongoing arrangements with the authorities, congress participants may be granted an exemption. We’ll confirm this closer to the event.
TRAVEL TIPS & RECOMMENDATIONS
- Essential Items: Bring sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes to stay protected and comfortable.
- Cash in USD: Entrance fees and many local services only accept cash. ATMs are limited on the islands.
- Health & Safety: Consider motion-sickness medication for boat rides and basic first-aid supplies.
- Eco-friendly Practices: Use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid single-use plastics to help preserve the fragile ecosystem.
- Connectivity: Internet access can be limited and slow, so plan ahead for offline resources if needed.
PLANNED ACCOMMODATIONS
For this program, accommodations will be arranged through our partner travel agency, which works with several hotels in Santa Cruz to support group logistics. Below you will find the hotels currently planned.
- Hotel Tortuga bay
- Hotel Pelican bay
- Hotel Palmeras
- Hotel Paradise
To secure your accommodation, participants must provide a non-refundable reservation fee by September 10th.
All hotel reservations and arrangements are managed directly by the travel agency. If you experience any issues meeting this deadline, please contact the agency for assistance.
Agency Contact Info
https://wa.me/593984761462?text=Galapagos
+593 98 476 1462
GALAPAGOS ALL-INCLUSIVE ESCAPE
Includes:
- Airport assistance in Galápagos
- Roundtrip transfers: airport – hotel – airport
- 5 nights’ accommodation in a Tourist-category hotel
- Daily American breakfast
- Lunches and dinners at the hotel
- Transfers to and from the hotel for meals and activities
- Authorized and certified naturalist guide
- Hotel taxes
- VAT included
- Complimentary travel kit (backpack and reusable water bottle).
- Activities: Charles Darwin Research Station, Lava Tunnels and volcanic craters, Tortuga Bay Beach.
GALAPAGOS ADVENTURE EXPLORER
Includes:
- Airport assistance in Galápagos
- Roundtrip transfers: airport – hotel – airport
- 5 nights’ accommodation in a Tourist-category hotel
- Daily American breakfast
- Transfers to and from the hotel for activities
- Authorized and certified naturalist guide
- Hotel taxes
- VAT included
- Complimentary travel kit (backpack and reusable water bottle)
- Activities: Charles Darwin Research Station, Lava Tunnels and volcanic craters, Tortuga Bay Beach.
Note: Lunches and dinners are not included, giving you the freedom to enjoy local restaurants and gastronomy.
GALAPAGOS FREEDOM JOURNEY
Includes:
- Airport assistance in Galápagos
- Roundtrip transfers: airport – hotel – airport
- 5 nights’ accommodation in a Tourist-category hotel
- Daily American breakfast
- Hotel taxes
- VAT included
- Complimentary travel kit (backpack and reusable water bottle)
Note: This package does not include lunches, dinners, or organized activities, offering you the freedom to explore and plan your experience at your own pace.
