Research groups

Research groups identify common interests to create research networks and generate intellectual production results around various lines of research.

In 2019, 13 research groups stand out for their quality results in scientific production, research projects, innovation, linking, and internationalization.

GI+

Knowledge-Based Systems

Focusing on symbiotic man-machine systems using knowledge-based (KB) techniques, methods and algorithms to support human decision-making, learning and actions.

Natural Products: cancer and parasitosis

This research group studies natural products with anti-tumor and/or anti-parasite activity, to determine the pathways of that activity

Control, Automation and Intelligent Systems

These systems contribute to scientific knowledge, innovation and technology transfer in the field of control systems, automation, and artificial intelligence.

Innovación Tecnológica Educativa

This group incorporates information and communication technologies into teaching and learning, in different programs of higher education, professor education, and educational innovation

Clinical and Health Psychology

This group benefits society by generating and spreading knowledge on clinical psychology and health from southern Ecuador

Tropical Ecosystems Biodiversity

Studying the diversity of flora and fauna in tropical ecosystems is oriented toward generating and transferring scientific knowledge about biodiversity from a systematic and taxonomic standpoint.

Communication and Audiovisual Culture

This research must be able to study and critically analyze the new communicational and media reality closely and immediately, in Ecuador and Latin America

Process engineering

Research and development focusing on physical, chemical, and biotechnology processes will be applied in the different fields of industry.

Ecology and Evolution of Microbial Systems

This research actively develops technological applications deriving from our basic research, through MS2E-SpinOff entrepreneurship.

Urban and Regional Economy

Here, researchers from different disciplines, both Ecuadorians and foreigners, address local territorial and regional issues concerning regional development.

Inclusive Human Computer Interaction

HCI seeks to enhance computing systems’ usability, so they can be easier to learn and use efficiently and effectively.

Communication, Education and Technology

Deeply probing Edu-communication and its emerging nuances, such as digital and audiovisual literacy, media education, audiovisual edu-communication, educational technology, and networked learning, among others

Economics of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

This research group studies various aspects of sustainably using ecosystem goods and services, incorporating aspects of environmental, forestry and agrarian economics.

Laboratory of Tropical Ecology and Ecosystem Services

Learning about the responsiveness to environmental variations in tropical ecosystems: composition, structure and biotic interactions.

Innovation, Development and Quality of Healthful Foods

The focus is on evaluating foods’ nutritional and functional quality, with special emphasis on traditional foods from the Ecuadorian diet, by-products and surplus materials from the food industry.