Building a Collaborative Network to Advance Bioimaging in Latin America

Latin America and the Caribbean are vast and diverse regions with significant disparities in scientific development and infrastructure, despite a long history of regional scientific collaboration. The Latin America Bioimaging (LABI) network aims to build community and develop capacities in bioimaging through international cooperation. This project will help establish LABI as an international collaborative network with a long-term goal of advancing Latin American biomedical research.

LABI will provide a platform for imaging scientists across the region to interact, share experiences, and collaborate in expanding access to bioimaging training and technology. The network will hire an executive manager assistant to play an essential role in accelerating network building, organization, and outreach, while a website and a dynamic communication strategy will serve to improve communication and visibility of community activities. LABI will define an agenda composed of three network-planning annual meetings, with satellite events dedicated to sharing experiences and discussing regional challenges.

The team will build working groups to leverage community needs, such as promoting career development and opportunities for bioimaging scientists and encouraging participation from groups underrepresented in bioimaging. Importantly, the project will provide financial aid for users and imaging scientists to participate in training that can be replicated to amplify experiences and help build capacities in the region. LABI will partner with national, regional, and international organizations to strengthen these efforts and seek a lasting impact on the bioimaging capabilities of Latin American and the Caribbean.