Life as a scientist is characterised by constant change – whether it applies to what you’re working on, or where you’re working. And while being a scientist can be challenging, with the gymnastics of obtaining funding, the ever-increasing cost of reagents, and perhaps experiments simply not working as expected, scientists in developing countries face an additional set of difficulties.

Our latest Words of advice essay touches upon these unique additional difficulties. In this essay, Dr. Max Chavarría discusses his own experiences of working abroad in a high-level, well-funded research centre, and then returning to his home country of Costa Rica to set up his own laboratory. He describes the challenges in countries where funding and support for research is comparatively limited and offers advice for conducting ‘good’ science in these circumstances, including how to avoid predatory journals, and how to make the most of freely available social media platforms to raise research visibility.

Acknowledging the challenges faced by our fellow scientists in different geographical, cultural and economic environments is only the first step – we must raise awareness and work towards levelling the scientific playing field. After all, with great science, comes great responsibility. 

To learn more about Dr. Chavarría’s research, check out the team’s website and social media:

Website: https://www.chavarrialab.com/

Instagram: @chavarria_laboratory

Photo by Eduardo Libby, School of Chemistry, University of Costa Rica.