2008 Natural Sciences National Prize
Nibaldo Inestrosa Cantín
The genuine interest of the Dr. Inestrosa for the science arose from very early: after two years of studies in medicine, he chose to change the course of Biological Sciences. Since then, he has developed the most out-standing career and is one of the most important Chilean scientists of our days.
The impact of his work can be quantitatively demonstrated, considering the valuable number of quotes that he has received in the specialized literature. His contribution to Neuroscience, specially in his contributions to the knowledge and for the projections of his work to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, are recognized worldwide.
Likewise, Dr. Inestrosa has continuously got involved with the national and international scientific community, supporting strong collaborations with other groups and interacting with his colleagues, being a model for the young generations with his generously and permanent disposition to share his knowledge.
The solid scientific and educational labor of Dr. Inestrosa has been made in Chile, demonstrating that it's possible to reach goals and to assume challenges to the same level of developed countrie's researchers.
2008 History National Prize
Eduardo Cavieres Figueroa
This man understands history as a crossroads of time, individuals, societies, circumstances, actions and thoughts. He has been defined mainly as a researcher of economic and social history, but in addition he has produced important studies on demographic history, psico-history and social history of culture.
With a Master and a Doctorate in The United States and England, the 2008 History National Prize, has a deep and sincere sensibility for national history, for its problems and for the internal social relations and with the neighboring countries.
His genuine leadership stands-out especially on frontier topics with Peru and Bolivia, which constitute a sociopolitical plot with the north of Chile, constructing an example of regional integration, which has been recognized by peers of the above-mentioned countries.
The originality of his productions have shown new courses for the historical research and his proposals have motivated an innovation of the investigation and interpretation methodologies of our history.
2008 Musical Arts National Prize
Miguel Letelier Valdés
The 2008 Musical Arts National Prize is member of an out-standing artists family. Son of Alfonso Letelier, who obtained the same distinction in 1968, grew surrounded by artistic stimulus by the hand of his mother and grandmother. With only eight years-old, he wrote his first work: a Choral for four voices. This early vocation would lead him to dedicate his life to the composition and musical interpretation. But it would'nt be until 1961 that he initiate his studies in organ, instrument that has been the base of his notable path as composer and executor.
Prolific creator of symphonic and chamber scores in diverse styles, Letelier Valdés is a master compromised with the training of new generations of composers through more than thirty years of teaching in the Arts faculty of the University of Chile.
His compositions have been released and executed in Chile, Latin America, United States and Europe, and also recorded by renowned performers.
His permanent concern for declaring historical monuments to some of the great organs that still survive in the country, has allowed to rescue, to restore and to preserve these instruments of inestimable value for our cultural array.
2008 Applied and Technological Sciences National Prize
Jose Miguel Aguilera Radic
Recognized as pioneer in a new technological discipline with world impact, the food materials science, Jose Miguel Aguilera also is outlined for being an impeller, from the academic area, of a public agenda for the definition of national policies orientated to the development in science, technology and innovation for the food area.
Civil engineer of Industries with a mention in chemical Engineering of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, completed his mastery in Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Doctorate in Cornell University.
Along his fruitful professional path, professor Aguilera has prioritized a deep and committed "country-sense" in all his activities. Likewise, he enjoys a well-deserved national and international prestige among his peers in universities and food companies. The 2008 Applied and Technological Sciences National Prize, has contributed to the training of new professionals in the area, always with a permanent interest of collaboration in projects of innovation related to the utilization and the generation of added value in our agricultural and aquatic raw materials.
2008 Literature National Prize
Efrain Barquero Jofre
The 2008 Literature National Prize, during near fifty years has developed, a literary line that turns him into a national and universal poet. His forceful poetical work includes 19 books of which "The stone of the people" was the first one, edited in 1954 and that was prefaced by Pablo Neruda.
He has received the most important literary awards that our country grants and his work has'nt stopped investigating, with the senses and the pencil, in the human being and his existence, in the life and the multiplicity of frontiers and limits of it, trying reveal up to the last one: death.
In his poetry, nothing nor nobody stays out of the communion of sharing. Efraín Barquero always surprises and worries, faces us to the mirror and leads us to the interior trip. This way, opens new looks and ways of reading and reveals the human's inheritor with all the lights and shades that we carry inside.
The 5 2008 National Prizes will have an annuity equivalent to 20 UTM - since January of 2009 - and, for the only time, will become creditors of 14 million pesos.
FONDAP-CRCP
Av. Bernardo O´Higgins 340 -
Santiago -
Región Metropolitana
Chile
Phone: 56-2-6862592 - Fax: 56-2-6862959
fondapni@bio.puc.cl
http://www.fondap-crcp.cl
