Yachay Tech, in an effort to become an emblematic university that offers prestigious education to its students, works hard to recruit scientists that represent the best academic leaders in science and technology. This successful task has attracted world renowned professionals who have rewarding careers and histories that contribute to the strengthening of a culture of academic excellence in Ecuador.

Juergen Reichardt, PhD in Biochemistry, is the new Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Yachay Tech. He joined the University hoping to position it among national and international institutions that can contribute to the development of new technologies. Reichardt’s career is a guarantee to achieve this goal. The 1980 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and internationally renowned biochemist Paul Berg was the director of Reichardt’s doctoral thesis at Stanford University, USA.

The relationship between Paul Berg and Juergen Reichardt grew with time. Berg recalls that ever since he met Juergen, he found an original and creative inclination to make an impact in science. Berg recalls, “Juergen chose a different path from the rest of the students. He always chose to create his own path to make an impact in the medical field.”

Berg and Reichardt worked together in the cloning of the classic GALT gene, which is a severe metabolic condition that starts at the neonatal stage, where babies tend to present problems to eat, appear lethargic and develop serious hepatic conditions. It was during this research that Reichardt proved to be very critical in his work and willing to contribute to research and education. It was then that he made a breakthrough in the understanding of an illness known as galactosemia through the isolation of the gene responsible for this condition and the demonstration of the range of existing mutations at the Baylor College of Medicine (USA).

Then, during his postdoctoral studies, he did great progress in the understanding of the mutations of the GALT gene. Reichardt provided the initial identification of the mutations in its predominant and rare forms of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl-transferase deficiency, galactosemia and the complications resulting from it. Berg states, “I believe Juergen is one of the world leaders in this field as he contributed to the monitoring of research on galactosemia and the creation of new ideas.”

Another research that Juergen has worked in has been the analysis of the genes that predispose individuals to develop prostate cancer. This research includes the identification of several mutations in the gene responsible for encoding the prostate steroid 5α reductase and the correlation with its increased risk.

Currently as Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, he will lead the development in a university environment to promote basic and applied research and development of technologies. Reichardt will be in charge of strategic relations with the productive sector as he strongly believes that the academia-business relation is essential to obtain substantial results.