From October 1 to 25, 2026, Valeria Abigail Calero Torres, a student from Cohort 10 of the Master’s Program in Applied Biosciences with a concentration in Biodiscovery, completed an on-site research internship at the Universidad de Chile in Santiago, Chile.
The scientific training took place at the Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology within the Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The experimental framework was developed under the academic advising of FLS-ESPOL research professor Andrea Orellana Manzano, Ph.D., and co-supervised in Chile by Olosmira Correa, Ph.D.
During her stay, Valeria executed the experimental phase of her master's thesis: “Valorization of Erigeron sumatrensis Retz. as a source of bioactive compounds for the development of a formulation with potential topical cosmetic applications.”
The experimental workflow comprised:
Formulation and design of the microemulsion matrix.
Incorporation of the selected Erigeron sumatrensis Retz. botanical extract.
Systematic preparation of active formulations alongside their corresponding placebos.
Comprehensive physicochemical characterization of the resulting colloidal systems.
Preliminary thermal and accelerated stability testing.
Throughout this period, she acquired advanced theoretical knowledge and hands-on laboratory experience in dermocosmetic formulation, specializing in microemulsion systems loaded with botanical extracts. Core technical proficiencies gained included formulation optimization, extract incorporation into water-in-oil (W/O) systems, active ingredient compounding, physicochemical characterization, and preliminary stability profiling.
This academic mobility enhances international scientific cooperation between ESPOL and Universidad de Chile, driving biodiscovery and cosmetic-pharmaceutical development through the sustainable valorization of native botanical resources.
