Bioinformatics in Español: expanding open, diverse, and collaborative science through SEH2Bioinfo

Linguistic inequality remains a silent barrier in contemporary science, particularly in rapidly evolving and interdisciplinary fields such as bioinformatics. This article examines how the Spanish-speaking community has responded to this gap through the creation of the Simposio de Estudiantes Hispanohablantes de Bioinformática y Biología Computacional (SEH2Bioinfo), a collective initiative that transforms language into a tool for inclusion and collaboration. Drawing on a historical review of the use of Spanish in scientific communication and an analysis of the two editions of SEH2Bioinfo (2022 and 2025), complemented by surveys of more than 1500 participants, we explore the effects of language on confidence, participation, and academic visibility. The findings show that Spanish can serve as a space for training and mentorship without compromising rigor, while simultaneously strengthening international networks and promoting open science. The growth of SEH2Bioinfo, its collaborative approach, and its intercontinental reach establish the symposium as a model for linguistic equity in scientific practice. Its experience demonstrates that expanding linguistic diversity in bioinformatics is not only possible but essential to building a global scientific community that is fairer, more connected, and representative.