Chemists unite science and education to tackle urgent challenges

By The Star Staff

At a critical moment for public health, sustainability, and innovation on the island, the Puerto Rico Chemists Association (CQPR in Spanish) is launching PRCHEM 2025, an unprecedented event that will turn Puerto Rico into the epicenter of applied science in the Caribbean. From July 30 to August 1, the Puerto Rico Convention Center will host a series of interdisciplinary symposia bringing together key figures in the fields of health, education, energy, and the environment. With a direct focus on Puerto Rico’s most pressing societal crises, PRCHEM 2025 will address the fentanyl emergency from medical, legal, and educational perspectives; cancer and its impact on vulnerable communities, with participation from the American Cancer Society; the need to educate on intellectual property and green chemistry in an evolving educational system; and climate change, offering concrete proposals for energy resilience and sustainability.

“This event isn’t just for chemists—it’s for all of Puerto Rico. It’s the largest chemical sciences gathering in the Caribbean, positioning the island as a regional model for how science and education can respond swiftly, relevantly, and humanely to major challenges and contemporary public interest issues,” said Dr. José Pérez, president of the Chemists Association. “Here, real solutions to real problems will be presented.”

Meanwhile, attorney Myrna Otaño, president-elect of the Association and event coordinator, emphasized the urgency of the agenda: “We are facing a historic opportunity to connect knowledge with action. Each symposium is a platform for generating strategic alliances that directly impact public policy and the quality of life in Puerto Rico.”

The event’s agenda begins on July 30 with the Education Symposium (INPROED), where educators and entrepreneurs will discuss how to integrate intellectual property, innovation, and sustainability into curricula. On July 31, the Second Cancer Symposium will take place, with oncologists, researchers, and patients sharing experiences and advancements in therapies, education, and access to services. On August 1, the Fentanyl Symposium will be held, offering an action plan from prevention to treatment, and on the same day, the Environmental Panel will feature experts and community leaders exploring clean energy solutions and climate adaptation. On August 2, discussions will center around education as a mechanism for leading in artificial intelligence.

The Chemists Association invites professionals, educators, patients, students, and the public at large to take part in this transformative event, which seeks to put science at the service of the people and promote a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable future for Puerto Rico.