Fernando Wladimir Silva Rivas

Biography and Expertise of Fernando Rivas

Fernando Rivas is a Chilean researcher embodying South-South collaboration, a cornerstone of the 3rd WCTCIM. His journey from Chile to Brazil reflects a deep commitment to building scientific bridges in Latin America. His unique expertise combines sociology with epidemiology, allowing him to investigate biological, social, economic, and psychological factors shaping patient outcomes. His work provides a comprehensive framework for understanding health and illness in diverse populations.

His research directly supports the congress’s Thematic Axis on “Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health (Evidence-Based).” By studying psychosocial determinants of health in cancer patients, Fernando Rivas highlights integrative care models that address mental and emotional well-being alongside physical treatment. This aligns with creating “Well-being Societies,” underscoring that true public health extends beyond the clinic. His methodological rigor also reinforces the Gujarat Declaration’s call for a strong scientific foundation for traditional and complementary medicine.

Furthermore, his analytical skills are crucial for evaluating how different knowledge systems, including traditional practices, integrate into modern healthcare. His ability to design studies and interpret complex data helps provide evidence to build trust and foster TCIM integration into national health systems, a key goal of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034. He is thus a key intellectual contributor to the congress, championing a vision of health that is both scientifically sound and socially conscious.

Professional Career

Fernando Rivas demonstrates consistent dedication to applying advanced research skills within high-impact health institutions in Latin America. His career progressed from foundational roles to specialized work in oncology and epidemiology, gaining extensive experience managing complex datasets, conducting statistical analyses, and contributing to clinical research with implications for patient care and public health policy.

His academic and clinical experiences provide a well-rounded perspective on health research challenges and opportunities. Beyond technical skills, this path cultivated a deep understanding of implementing research in real-world healthcare, making his insights particularly valuable.

• 2021 – Present: Doctoral researcher at the University of São Paulo (USP), engaged in advanced oncological research. Focuses on analyzing factors influencing treatment initiation and survival rates for breast cancer patients, contributing vital data to a leading Brazilian medical research institution.
• 2014 – 2020: Key researcher at Instituto Oncológico Fundación Arturo López Pérez (FALP), Santiago, Chile. Instrumental in designing and executing research projects, focusing on data analysis, statistical modeling, and project management within a leading cancer treatment center.
• 2012 – 2014: Began professional research career at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Over two years, honed foundational research skills and contributed to academic output, laying groundwork for future specialization.

Academic Qualifications

The academic foundation of Fernando Rivas is multidisciplinary, merging social sciences with public health and epidemiology. This diverse portfolio provides a unique ability to analyze health issues from multiple perspectives, capturing statistical patterns of disease and underlying social structures. His training builds a comprehensive skill set for addressing complex, multifaceted 21st-century health challenges.

Each qualification progressively deepened his expertise, from societal dynamics to specialized knowledge in biostatistics and clinical research. This robust academic background is the bedrock of his contributions to the scientific community.

• Doctor in Sciences (2021–2025): Completing his doctorate at USP, his research investigates determinants of timely treatment and survival in breast cancer, employing advanced epidemiological methods.
• Master in Epidemiology (2013–2016): At Universidad de los Andes, he acquired specialized skills in biostatistics, research design, and health data analysis, central to his clinical research.
• Master in Systemic Analysis Applied to Society (2009–2012): This degree from Universidad de Chile equipped him with theoretical frameworks for complex social systems, applied to healthcare systems and patient populations.
• Sociologist (2003–2008): Foundational training at Universidad de Concepción provided a Bachelor’s and Licentiate in Sociology, establishing his understanding of social theory, research methods, and societal determinants of health.

Research and Publications

Fernando Rivas‘ research centers on oncology, mental health, and epidemiology. He identifies factors like psychological distress, social support, and healthcare access delays impacting patient outcomes. His peer-reviewed findings advocate for holistic, patient-centered care, informing policymakers and clinicians to design effective health interventions.

His publications emphasize integrating psychosocial care into oncology treatment, aligning with integrative medicine. Through rigorous studies, Fernando Rivas validates these comprehensive care models.

Key Research Areas and Findings

Psycho-Oncology and Mental Health: His work explores mental health burden in serious illness. A 2018 study in the Revista médica de Chile identified factors linked to anxiety and depression in women undergoing breast cancer treatment. This offers clinicians insights for screening and supporting at-risk patients, promoting an integrative treatment paradigm.

Treatment Timeliness and Survival: His research addresses systemic healthcare delivery issues. A 2022 analysis in Ecancermedicalscience linked diagnosis-to-treatment time with breast cancer survival rates. These studies advocate for policy changes to reduce healthcare delays and improve patient outcomes.

Mental Health in Academic Populations: His 2024 publication investigated psychological distress, anxiety, and depression among undergraduate health students. This highlights medical education stressors, emphasizing the need for better support systems for future healthcare professionals’ well-being.

Scientific Committee Activities

Fernando Rivas serves as a vital member of the Scientific Committee for the 3rd World Congress on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine. This role is a testament to his recognized expertise in research methodology and his standing in the scientific community. The Scientific Committee is the primary body responsible for guaranteeing the academic quality, integrity, and relevance of the congress program. Therefore, his participation is fundamental to the event’s success and credibility on the global stage.

In this capacity, he is entrusted with critically evaluating submitted abstracts and proposals, ensuring that the presentations selected for the congress meet high scientific standards. This curation process is essential for building a program that is not only diverse and innovative but also grounded in solid evidence, directly reflecting the principles of the Gujarat Declaration. His sociological and epidemiological lens is particularly valuable for assessing research that explores the integration of TCIM within complex public health systems.

Moreover, the work of Fernando Rivas and his colleagues on the committee helps to shape the thematic direction of the congress, ensuring that the discussions are aligned with the most pressing global health challenges. By championing methodological rigor, he helps foster a culture of evidence-based discourse, which is critical for advancing the goals of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy and promoting the safe and effective integration of TCIM into healthcare worldwide. His contribution ensures that the congress is a forum for high-quality scientific exchange.

Connect with Fernando Rivas

To further explore the research, publications, and academic background of Fernando Rivas, you can consult his official scholarly profiles. These platforms provide a comprehensive overview of his scientific contributions and professional activities, offering detailed information for researchers, collaborators, and anyone interested in the fields of epidemiology, sociology, and oncology.

ORCID Profile: View a comprehensive list of his publications and academic history.

Lattes CV (Brazil): Explore his detailed academic and research activities in Brazil.

Google Scholar: Track his scholarly articles and their citation impact in the academic community.