MicroSudAqua
µSudAqua: Collaborative network in microbial aquatic ecology of Latin America
The μSudAqua Network brings together researchers and students working in microbial aquatic ecology in Latin America. We seek to join forces, strengthen collective work and consolidate a collaborative space to promote the area in the region.
Our premise is to exploit the inputs we have to fully explore problems that exceed what we can develop by group individually. We promote inclusion in all its dimensions, generate camaraderie and the spirit of collaboration, developing a sense of belonging, commitment and pride for collective work.
What are the main objectives of the Network?
- Strengthen and expand the interaction between researchers working in microbial aquatic ecology in Latin America.
- Develop a sense of regional scientific community.
- Provide a fruitful space for long-term collaboration in research and training of human resources in the area.
Who is part of the Network?
Researchers and students integrate the Network with explicit interest in participating actively, with initiative to carry out activities within it, commitment, academic collegiality (intellectual respect, solidarity, collaborative spirit) and reciprocity.
What value does the Network add us?
The Network gives added value to our work based on collective construction, in terms of:
- Training: allows us to expand our technical and conceptual repertoire. Respond to common needs of advanced training (eg Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Theoretical Ecology, Landscape Ecology, GIS, Remote Sensing) through interaction, organization of courses and thematic workshops.
- Community: makes us part of an inclusive collective in terms of gender, themes and geographies that lives in a supportive environment and allows us to:
o Multiply the scientific, environmental and social impact of our science.
o Solve problems that we could not address individually.
o Generate collaborative research projects.
o Develop synergies, open discussions, and scientific solidarity, with tolerance for the divergence of ideas.
- Financing: we aim to make membership of the Network add credibility and robustness to local financing demands. It also allows for the exploration of large-scale collaborative financing programs, to which individual groups could not aspire.
With what do we count when conforming this Network?
- Capacity and experience of its members in multiple dimensions.
- Possibility of joining environmental axes on a Latin American scale.
- Possibility of making approaches from different communities (viruses, archaea, bacteria, protists, algae, zooplankton) and aspects (taxonomy, genomics, phylogeny, functionality, metabolism).
What are some of the proposed actions for the Network?
- Study novel and emerging problems at a temporal and spatial scale.
- Generate a conceptual development of problems with a regional perspective:
o Advance on conceptual frameworks of the functioning of the microbial world.
o Develop regional perspectives of global problems.
- Combine techniques that are usually applied separately.
- Conduct comparative studies
o Integrate existing data through meta-analysis of published data, re-analysis of data or unpublished data.
o Design samples that answer specific questions.
o Develop protocols for sampling, measurement, sample processing and data processing that are standard and common to all groups.
o Centralize sample processing, and ensure quality control
- Generate observatories
How does the Network work?
The Network has a non-hierarchical structure, with initiatives that arise from the base of its members ("bottom-up") and that respect the interest of the whole. A group of researchers guides and conducts their activities.
With a biannual frequency, face-to-face workshops are held with rotating headquarters. They present the work done so far and take definitions about the activities to be carried out in the period between them.
How to integrate to the Network?
The network is a space open to all interested researchers who share their work premises. To request participation on the network, please contact the following mail box: microsudaqua17@gmail.com