Knowledge grows when ideas come together, and the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (FCNM) proved just that by playing an active role in Lab Connect. This institutional initiative opened the doors of our laboratories to connect internal staff, academic units, and the broader ESPOL community with the cutting-edge infrastructure, technology, and high-impact projects developed within our faculty.
Driven by the Research Results Transfer Office (OTRI), the Integrated Laboratory Service (SILAB), and the President’s Office, this engagement initiative ran from May through August. It invited the university community to step outside their routine environments and discover firsthand the scientific and analytical capabilities each lab offers across ESPOL’s various units.
Following months of active engagement and successful lab tours, the initiative concluded on September 16, 2026, with the Lab Connect Closing and Recognition Ceremony, where ESPOL honored the key contributors to the event. Reflecting this institutional success, FCNM was prominently recognized for the outstanding leadership of Mgtr. Michael Rendón, FCNM Lab Connect Coordinator, and Mgtr. Reina Nolivos, FCNM Lab Connect Ambassador, whose dedication was vital in guiding visitors and connecting them with our scientific potential.
The initiative also presented an exciting challenge: learning to effectively communicate the impact of the work happening at ESPOL. To achieve this, presenters refined their pitches to clearly highlight their lab capabilities and real-world relevance. Based on a technical evaluation rubric, all participating teams were commended for their efforts, with a special recognition awarded to FCNM’s Process Engineering Laboratory, which named among the category finalists for its exceptional ability to convey the value of its technical and research work.
Through this effort, FCNM reaffirms its commitment to excellence and community engagement, fostering a culture where every scientific milestone is shared, valued, and projected toward society. We continue to support these collaborative spaces, proving that at FCNM, we all build the future through science.
