Dr. Edian Franco receives the highest award of the Impact Leaders Award
SANTO DOMINGO – Dr. Edian Franco, professor at Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) and head of the Food Safety Laboratory, was recognized with the highest award of the Impact Leaders Award, a distinction given in recognition of his professional career, leadership and contributions to the scientific, technological and innovation development of the Dominican Republic.
The Impact Leaders Award is an initiative supported by Unjobe (Union of Youth of Brisas del Este), Relevant Youth, Leadership and Development Foundation and Álvarez Foundation, organizations that highlighted Franco's work in promoting initiatives aimed at linking scientific research with strategic challenges for national development.
From his responsibilities in the field of research and innovation at INTEC and the Institute of Innovation in Biotechnology and Industry (IIBI), Franco has developed a career linked to the strengthening of scientific capabilities, technological innovation and the application of knowledge in areas such as Biotechnology, artificial intelligence, environmental genomics, food safety and data science.
His work has also been geared towards promoting greater collaboration between research, academic institutions, the public sector and other actors in the national science, technology and innovation ecosystem, with an emphasis on generating knowledge applicable to the country's economic, environmental and social needs.
Dr. Edian Franco is a professor and researcher at INTEC, where he contributes to the education of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students and coordinates the Food Safety Laboratory. His academic and scientific work focuses on areas such as biotechnology, food safety, genomics, artificial intelligence, data science, and innovation, with an emphasis on human capital development and the creation of scientific and technological solutions applicable to the challenges facing the Dominican Republic.
Upon receiving the award, Franco expressed his gratitude to the organizations responsible for the prize and emphasized that the recognition also represents the result of a collective effort.
“I receive this highest award with profound gratitude and a renewed sense of responsibility. I thank UNJOBE, Juventud Relevante, the Leadership and Development Foundation, and the Álvarez Foundation for recognizing my career and the work we have been doing to promote science, research, and innovation in the Dominican Republic.”
He also dedicated the award to his family, highlighting the role their support has played during his academic and professional development.
“This recognition also belongs to my family. Their support, understanding, and presence have been fundamental at every stage of this journey. Behind the professional results are many hours of work, sacrifices, and, above all, people who have been there to support and accompany me through every challenge.”
The award winner noted that the distinction serves as an incentive to continue promoting a vision in which science, technology, innovation, and the training of new generations of researchers play an increasingly important role in the productive and social transformation of the Dominican Republic.
About the Impact Leaders Award
The Impact Leaders Award recognizes young people and institutions whose actions inspire change, strengthen their communities, and promote a culture of leadership, innovation, service, and commitment to the development of the Dominican Republic.