ESPOL’s Final Pitch established itself as the premier institutional platform where research incubated in polytechnic classrooms is primed to deliver tangible value and solutions to society and the productive sector. In this edition, the Faculty of Life Sciences (FLS) took center stage, demonstrating the scientific rigor, technical depth, and interdisciplinary versatility of its graduating class.
The formal opening featured welcoming remarks by FLS Dean María Isabelita Jiménez, Ph.D., who praised the students' dedication and the faculty's commitment to mentoring professionals capable of turning science into real-world tools for sustainable development. The master of ceremonies and lead coordinator for the initiative within the faculty was Valeria Guzmán, M.Sc., professor in the Nutrition and Dietetics program.
The highlight of the event was the official awards ceremony, where Ricardo Daniel Eras Caraguay, a graduating Biology student, secured first place across the entire institution with his research on bioprospecting and the biological control of agricultural pests in potato crops. His stage presence, methodological rigor, and ability to distill complex science captivated the judging panel.
FLS's strong showing was further bolstered by compelling pitches from finalists representing the Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Nutrition and Dietetics programs, who defended cutting-edge capstone solutions spanning agricultural modernization, agro-industrial sustainability, dietary management systems, and clinical nutrition.
With this institutional victory, FLS-ESPOL reaffirms its academic leadership in driving evidence-based research that directly advances the national bioeconomy, public health, and natural resource conservation.
