Latin American Physicists Weigh In on Funding, Demographics, Potential

I read with interest the article by José Luis Morán-López. He states that it is not complete; still, the newly released results of a study by Colciencias, the Colombian Science Foundation (http://www.colciencias.gov.co ), necessitate a revision of Colombia’s entry in the table on page 40.

Almost 750 research groups in all disciplines (natural, social, and applied sciences, and humanities) participated in the study. Sixty-nine of them were ranked in the highest category based on publications in international journals. Of these groups, 17 (one-quarter) work in physics or related areas. Four universities—Antioquia, Valle, the Andes, and National—have at least three top-ranked physics groups each. Three others—Cauca, the Industrial University of Santander, and Quindio—have one group each.

Many of these research groups contribute to the early training of young scientists, who often publish their first papers while working with them, and many groups have long-term collaborations with major institutes or universities throughout the world. While the international effect of Colombian physics may be modest, the few hundred physics PhDs in this country have a significant impact on the local research community of about 4000 individuals.