The Research Center in Mathematical Modeling (MODEMAT) was established on February 20, 2013, as a strategic initiative by the Escuela Politécnica Nacional (EPN) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (SENESCYT). Its creation responded to the urgent need to strengthen applied mathematics research as a transversal pillar for the country’s scientific and technological development. From the outset, MODEMAT was envisioned as a national and inter-institutional research center—pioneering in Ecuador and among the first of its kind in the region—with a clear mission: to develop innovative mathematical models and computational techniques to address complex challenges in key areas such as the environment, public health, transportation, oceanography, and meteorology.

Its governance model—jointly managed by EPN and SENESCYT, and open to researchers from other institutions—represented a new paradigm for scientific collaboration in Ecuador. Complementing this structure, an international Scientific Committee was established to ensure research quality meets global standards and to advise the center’s strategic direction.

Over its first decade, MODEMAT has led emblematic projects such as the national numerical weather and climate forecasting system (METEO), in collaboration with INAMHI; optimization models for Quito’s public transport system, in partnership with the city government; and ocean behavior simulation tools developed alongside INOCAR. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the center provided robust epidemiological models that guided public policy under high uncertainty, earning recognition from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).

Simultaneously, MODEMAT spearheaded the creation of Ecuador’s National Scientific Computing Laboratory (HPC-MODEMAT), now home to the country’s most powerful scientific supercomputer, further consolidating the center’s role as a national hub for high-performance computing.

Throughout its history, MODEMAT has built a strong national and international scientific network, contributed to the training of highly qualified professionals, and remained firmly committed to public engagement by producing rigorous, relevant, and socially impactful scientific knowledge.