The study of health and nutrition problems in different political, economic, social and cultural contexts, demands a working group of academic disciplines, mutual agreements and the construction of a common language and framework to develop an interdisciplinary academic research group. The objective of this article is to examine the experience of the “Feeding Process and Damage to Health” (ADAS) Seminar , which seeks to consolidate a proposal for inter-institutional and interdisciplinary collaboration to address the health problems related to feeding and social vulnerability in the southern and northern border areas of Mexico. The ADAS group is integrated by researchers associated to six research centers incorporated as Research Centers in the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACyT) and other Higher Education institutions.

The scientific opportunities enabled by convergence—the coming together of insights and approaches from originally distinct fields—will make fundamental contributions in our drive to provide creative solutions to the most difficult problems facing us as a society. This convergence provides power to think beyond usual paradigms and to approach issues informed by many perspectives instead of few. In my own experience, the potential for innovation and successful problem solving becomes greater when we are able to harness the knowledge bases, skill sets, and diversity of experience of individuals in an environment that fosters dialogue and respectful participation by all team members. Ultimately, I believe this will entail partnerships at the intersection not only of the life and medical sciences, physical sciences, computational sciences, and engineering, but also economic, social, and behavioral sciences, arts and humanities disciplines, and beyond, thereby amplifying the potential for innovations of incredible variety and magnitude. Those who participate in convergent science are excited by the possibilities, but they know how difficult are the challenges to creating and sustaining environments that facilitate it. The present study was undertaken to better understand these challenges and to explore examples of current convergence programs in order to inform investigators and organizations interested in expanding or establishing their own efforts. Beyond this goal, the approach embodied by convergence provides a framework for thinking about the research enterprise and the network of partners that together form the ecosystem that enables science from innovative research to translational application. Convergence provides us with an opportunity not only to discuss strategies to advance science but also to elevate discussions on how to tackle fundamental structural challenges in our research universities, funding systems, policies, and partnerships.