Dr. Andres Mansilla Wins FONDEF Award

picture1Dr. Andres Mansilla and colleagues at the Universidad de Santiago and the Universidad Arturo Pratt have received a FONDEF Grant (approximately $600,000 USD) from the Chilean Scientific and Technological Research Commission (CONICYT) to study i) the biochemical properties and ii) cultivation techniques of Anfeltia plicata, an important but little known marine algae that can potentially be used as a sustainable alternative for fisherman who currently depend almost exclusively on crab and sea urchins. The grant will also fund the construction of a Sub-Antarctic Seaweed Laboratory (see photo) and co-fund the creation of a Sub-Antarctic Cryptogam Herbarium, which will be used for algae, lichens, liverworts and mosses. As such, the award and Dr. Mansilla’s research will help to promote conservation and sustainable use of sub-Antarctic biodiversity.