Mexico City, August 7, 2026.— The Mexican Academy of Sciences ( Universidad Panamericana ) celebrates the induction of Dr. Lourdes Velázquez, a faculty member at our university’s Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics (CIBUP), as a full member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences (AMC).
This appointment recognizes a proven track record in research, teaching, and science communication, and strengthens the position of the University of the Pacific ( Universidad Panamericana ) as an institution committed to generating high-impact knowledge and interdisciplinary research.
The Mexican Academy of Sciences is one of Mexico's most prominent scientific communities, and membership is reserved for researchers with a proven track record of academic achievement, leadership in their fields, and a demonstrated social impact.
Her induction also holds special significance, as she becomes the tenth woman to join the AMC’s Philosophy Section and the only member of that section affiliated with a private university in Mexico.
“It is an honor for me, but also a very rewarding responsibility that I accept with pride and enthusiasm. Representing the Pan-American Association and CIBUP at the AMC is a source of pride,”, says the scholar.
A rigorous evaluation process
Dr. Velázquez explained that the process for obtaining this appointment is an annual one and highly demanding. It involves an evaluation by academic peers who assess:
- Scholarly output (books, book chapters, and indexed articles).
- Thesis supervision and human resources training.
- Outreach activities and the social impact of research.
- The continuity and strength of the company's track record.
- The explicit endorsement of active AMC members who are familiar with the candidate's work.
“Admission to the AMC represents recognition of a research career already established,”, says Dr. Velázquez, who also expresses her gratitude for the support of the University of Panama ( Universidad Panamericana). “This recognition demonstrates the support that UP provides to its faculty members and the opportunities it offers us to pursue our research,”.
Research with pre-Hispanic roots and a contemporary perspective
Dr. Velázquez’s lines of research integrate the pre-Hispanic worldview, philosophical anthropology, and today’s most pressing bioethical dilemmas. Her work combines two seemingly distinct fields—bioethics and the history of precolonial Mexican culture—which, in practice, enrich one another.
Her areas of research include bioethics as it relates to human rights, surrogacy, transhumanism, artificial intelligence, neonatal palliative care, and intercultural dialogue. In addition to this work, she also studies the philosophy of pre-Hispanic medicine, exploring concepts of health and the body in Mexico’s indigenous cultures.
This interdisciplinary approach, the scholar emphasizes, has been key to enriching the field of bioethics: “These are not two separate fields, but rather two complementary components that have fed into one another throughout my research over several decades.”
Opportunities for Collaboration and Outreach at CIBUP
Dr. Velázquez’s appointment to the AMC opens new doors for CIBUP: participation in multidisciplinary panels, bioethical debates with geneticists and engineers, strengthening of research proposals submitted to funding agencies, and opportunities for co-authorship that integrate diverse theoretical and empirical approaches.
In addition, the scholar highlights an additional benefit: “We can also help others join the AMC, since admission requires only the endorsement of someone who is already a member.”
In this way, his appointment not only recognizes his career achievements but also has a ripple effect on future generations of researchers at the Panamericana.
“This recognition represents an opportunity to highlight the work of women in bioethics and philosophy, and helps strengthen CIBUP’s presence in one of the most prestigious academic circles nationwide,”, concludes Dr. Velázquez.
With this appointment, the University of the Pacific ( Universidad Panamericana ) reaffirms its commitment to generating high-level knowledge, conducting interdisciplinary research, and supporting the academic careers of its faculty members.
This recognition strengthens CIBUP’s presence within one of the country’s most important scientific organizations and opens up new opportunities for national and international collaboration to continue promoting bioethics as a strategic field for addressing the challenges of the present and the future.
