Ecuador’s First Institute of Theoretical Physics

On April 23, 2026, the Donato Benincasa Institute of Theoretical Physics of Ecuador (IDBFTE) was established as an academic and scientific initiative dedicated to the development of theoretical physics in the country. This project is conceived as the first institute in Ecuador’s history devoted specifically to theoretical physics and stands as a pioneering institution focused exclusively on research in fundamental physics, with the aspiration of advancing scientific thought and training new generations of researchers.

Participation in the Donato Benincasa Institute of Theoretical Physics of Ecuador (IDBFTE) is completely free of charge, with the purpose of promoting open access to scientific knowledge and academic inclusion. The institute welcomes both individuals with university education and those without formal academic degrees, provided they demonstrate interest, commitment, and aptitude for the development of scientific thinking and research in theoretical physics.

The Donato Benincasa Institute of Theoretical Physics of Ecuador (IDBFTE) establishes its official and permanent headquarters in the rural parish of Alóag, Mejía Canton, Pichincha Province, Ecuador, consolidating itself as the primary nucleus of fundamental research in the nation. The institute extends its reach through a strategic network of branches and coordination nodes in Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, Manta, Machala, Ambato, Santo Domingo, Loja, Ibarra, and Latacunga. This forward-looking structure is complemented by outreach centers in Riobamba, Esmeraldas, Babahoyo, and Santa Elena, together with an Amazonian projection in Macas, Puyo, Tena, Nueva Loja, and Zamora, as well as a prestigious international scientific representation in the Galápagos Islands. In this way, the IDBFTE articulates scientific talent from every province of the country, reaffirming that theoretical physics only moves forward.

Individuals interested in joining the institute may obtain further information or begin their affiliation process through the following contact channel:

Phone / WhatsApp: +593 99 756 1752

The institute was founded by scientist Donato Benincasa Paredes, who promotes this initiative inspired by internationally renowned high-level research centers such as the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics (NORDITA), the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, the Max Planck Institute for Physics, and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), all globally recognized for their contributions to the advancement of theoretical physics.

The Donato Benincasa Institute of Theoretical Physics of Ecuador (IDBFTE) includes among its fundamental objectives the development of scientific projects with an inclusive and territorial approach, extending its work beyond traditional academic spaces. In this regard, the institute will promote research, outreach, and scientific training initiatives in rural areas, working-class neighborhoods, and community spaces throughout Ecuador, with the aim of bringing science closer to sectors historically excluded from access to specialized knowledge. These activities will be oriented toward fostering scientific culture, identifying local talent, and encouraging active citizen participation in learning and reflection processes related to theoretical physics and scientific thought, thereby contributing to the democratization of knowledge and the construction of a more diverse and equitable scientific community.

Mission

To develop scientific research in theoretical physics, train new researchers, and promote scientific thought in Ecuador.

Vision

To establish itself as a leading academic reference in Latin America in the field of theoretical physics, promoting scientific excellence and international collaboration.

Institutional Objectives

The objective of the Donato Benincasa Institute of Theoretical Physics of Ecuador (IDBFTE) is to use the knowledge of theoretical physics as a foundation for fostering innovation initiatives, entrepreneurship, and the development of scientific and technological projects that enable the creation of companies and employment opportunities. Through the study of physical models, mathematics, and complex systems, the institute seeks to strengthen the connection between fundamental science and productive development, promoting the application of scientific knowledge to solutions with social and economic impact.

Furthermore, the institute maintains that scientific research can provide conceptual and analytical tools which, in collaboration with other disciplines such as biology, medicine, economics, and engineering, may contribute to the understanding of phenomena related to diseases and complex biological processes, with the potential to support the future development of treatments, prevention strategies, and improvements in healthcare systems, always within an interdisciplinary research framework.

Likewise, the IDBFTE is oriented toward studying and modeling real social problems affecting humanity, such as unemployment, structural inequality, and chronic child malnutrition, using approaches from statistical physics, complex systems theory, and mathematical modeling, with the aim of generating rigorous analyses that may serve as a basis for the formulation of public policies and sustainable long-term solutions.

Executive and Administrative Team

• Donato Benincasa Paredes: General Director and Scientific Director
• Narciza Elizabeth Paredes Lucio: Administrative Deputy Director
• Liberato Taglianetti: Director of International Relations and International Liaison Manager
• Jared Iescas González: Academic Coordinator
• Solange Acuña: Director of Communication and Scientific Outreach
• Leyder Zuluaga: Head of Development and Funding
• Paúl Moreno Arteaga: General Administrator
• Francisco Javier Paredes: Research Projects Coordinator
• Raymundo Mendoza Cárdenas: Head of Logistics and Operations

Scientific and Institutional Support Structure

• Gabriela Torres: Director of Research
• Teresa Chicaiza: Academic Secretary
• Paúl Sebastián Moreno: Information Technology Coordinator
• Juan Pablo Sansur: Institutional Legal Advisor
• Adriana Puruncajas: Scientific Journalism Officer

Scientific Advisory Council

• Adriana Toscano: Member of the Scientific Advisory Council

Research Areas

• Gravity and General Relativity
• Quantum Field Theory
• Theoretical Cosmology
• String Theory
• Brane Cosmology
• Goldstone Boson
• Mathematical Physics
• Complex Systems
• Quantum Mechanics

Institutional Identity

The Donato Benincasa Institute of Theoretical Physics of Ecuador (IDBFTE) is guided by a vision of constant scientific progress, understanding research as a cumulative process without setbacks in the advancement of knowledge.

Institutional Motto

“Theoretical physics only moves forward.”

Institutional Projection

The Donato Benincasa Institute of Theoretical Physics of Ecuador (IDBFTE) is envisioned as a long-term academic initiative committed to strengthening science in the country and creating a community dedicated to the profound study of theoretical physics. Its purpose is not limited solely to the generation of knowledge, but also includes the creation of spaces for interaction among researchers, students, and citizens interested in understanding the foundations of the universe through a rigorous scientific perspective.

In this sense, the institute aspires to consolidate a national and international collaboration network that enables the exchange of ideas, participation in joint projects, and access to high-level academic resources. Likewise, it seeks to foster the continuous training of new scientific talent in Ecuador by promoting a culture of critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and research discipline.

The IDBFTE understands science as a fundamental tool for the social, cultural, and educational development of the country. Therefore, it promotes an open, inclusive, and participatory working model. Under this vision, the institute encourages the integration of diverse communities, territories, and social sectors into the process of scientific knowledge construction, recognizing that talent and research capacity can emerge from any context.

Finally, the institute reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence, scientific ethics, and the dissemination of knowledge, establishing itself as a space dedicated to the profound study of theoretical physics and to the training of future generations of researchers who will contribute to the scientific advancement of Ecuador and the broader region.