Ian Rafael Morales Villanueva, Digi Mart USA News (Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico): A scientific project focused on bone regeneration earned Ian Rafael Morales Villanueva, a student at the Instituto Cultural Tampico, an international award at the Asia Pacific Conference of Young Scientists (APCYS) 2026, held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
The young student from Tamaulipas received the award in Advanced Science and Technology for his research titled “Prototype of a Biomimetic Patch for Controlled Bone Regeneration,” developed with academic support from the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas (UAT). His project competed in the Life Science category against entries from delegations from India, Indonesia, Nepal, Thailand, Guam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Mongolia, Taiwan and Mexico.
In addition to the main recognition, the work was selected among the three best projects in its category and received the Special Award for Recent Technology in oral presentation. It also earned the FGSI Special Award, granted by the Foundation for Global Science Initiatives, which will allow him to take part in a science fair in India during 2027.
The research proposes developing a biomimetic patch made from biocompatible materials, with a structure inspired by natural bone regeneration mechanisms. The stated goal is to help fracture recovery through a surface that combines principles of biology and materials science.
The project was advised by Luis Fernando Aguiñaga Rodríguez, a former student of the UAT Mante Preparatory School.
His international participation followed his performance at ExpoCiencias Nacional 2025, held in Tampico, where he earned accreditation to compete in the Thailand competition. To carry out the research, the student requested support from the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas, which made laboratories available for developing the prototype.
The support, authorized by UAT Rector Dámaso Anaya Alvarado, included intensive technical English training through the University Language Center to prepare him to present the project.
The student’s trip to Thailand was also supported by the Government of Tamaulipas and the State Education Secretariat through the Tamaulipas Council of Science and Technology (COTACYT), under its Human Capital Development Program.
