Who We Are

FUNDAPROMAT

The mission of the Panamanian Foundation for the Promotion of Mathematics (FUNDAPROMAT) is to change the world’s perception so that one and all can experience mathematics as accessible, relevant and inherently joyous.

Math is all around us and we use them daily even if we are not aware of them. The knowledge of mathematics increases critical thinking and the power of reasoning. Thinking analytically helps you make better decisions in your daily life. Nevertheless, none of these benefits are acquired if people do not give math a chance and reject it, for example, due to negative past experiences.

Through the activities organized by FUNDAPROMAT, we wish to share with the general public the richness and beauty of mathematics and at the same time, inspire our youth to pursue a math career.

Math is everywhere.
For example, we can find math in magic, in music, in movies, in art and in nature.

Our Story

From 2012 until 2019, Dr. Jeanette Shakalli worked at the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (SENACYT) of Panama. From 2016 until 2019, Dr. Shakalli created SENACYT’s Math Outreach Program with the support of the National Secretary of Science, Technology and Innovation at that time, Dr. Jorge A. Motta. During this period of time, Dr. Shakalli organized 22 in-person math outreach events in Panama City and in the provinces with international guests as speakers. These presentations open to the general public about mathematics were a huge success. As a result, the idea emerged of creating an organization independent of the government and of all academic centers that is solely dedicated to the promotion of the study of mathematics. This is how FUNDAPROMAT was born, a private non-profit Foundation that was created on December 6th, 2019 under the legal protection of Law 25 of June 12th, 1995, listed in the Public Registry of Panama on Sheet 25041683. Since March 1st, 2021, FUNDAPROMAT is affiliated to the City of Knowledge Foundation.

Innovative activities created by math experts.

We specialize in math outreach and in changing the way people perceive mathematics.

Our Board of Directors

Jeanette Shakalli President

Invited speaker at more than 100 national and international conferences, Ambassador to the Committee for Women in Mathematics (CWM) of the International Mathematical Union (IMU) for Panama and Member of the Math Outreach and Popularization Commission of the Mathematical Union of Latin America and the Caribbean (UMALCA).

Guadalupe González Secretary

Professora at the Electrical Engineering Department of the Technological University of Panama (UTP), Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Power and Energy Society of IEEE, Member of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE) and Director of Electricity of the National Secretariat of Energy 2019-2024.

Henry Stec Treasurer

Technical Advisor to the General Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Panama 2014-2019. Held several positions at the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) 2000-2011, including Electronics and Telecommunications Manager, and at the Panama Canal Commission 1973-1999, including Head of Procurement.

Jorge A. Motta Vocal

National Secretary of the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation of Panama (SENACYT) 2014-2019, President of the Panamanian Association for the Advancement of Science (APANAC) 2010-2015 and General Director of the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies 2004-2008.

Math trains our brain in logical thinking, which allows us to make better decisions.

Our Advisory Board

Ilya Espino de Marotta

Deputy Administrator and Vicepresident of Operations for the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) since 2020, Vicepresident of Transit Businesses for ACP 2019-2020 and Executive Vicepresident of Engineering during the execution of the Panama Canal Expansion Program 2012-2018. Has worked for the Canal since 1985.

Roberto Roy

Founder of the company Ingeniería R-M dedicated to the construction industry in Panama, Minister for Panama Canal Affairs 2012-2019, President and First Founder Director of the Panama Metro 2009-2019 and ex President of the Panamanian Chamber of Construction (CAPAC).

Arleene Aranda de Guardiola

Director of Commerce and Industries of the Vice Presidency of Businesses of Companies and Government at Banistmo since 2020, Director of Special Credits at Banistmo 2019, Commercial Director of the Big PYMES at Banistmo 2013-2018, Director of Commercial Banking at HSBC Bank Panama 2000-2013 and Assistant Vice President in Corporate Banking at Chase Manhattan Bank 1994-2000.

Mercedes Eleta de Brenes

President of Stratego Communications and of the Eleta Foundation, Member of the Board of Trustees of the City of Knowledge Foundation, President of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (APEDE) 2018-2020, President of the National Competitiveness Council (CNC) and of the Foundation for the Promotion of Women (FUNDAMUJER), and General Manager of RPC Radio and RPC Television.

Clara Grima

Math communicator, author of the math outreach blog for kids “Mati y sus Mateaventuras,” President of the Outreach Commission of the Royal Spanish Mathematical Society (RSME) 2014-2018 and researcher of the team from the University of Sevilla in Spain that discovered the new geometric form called scutoid.

Eduardo Saenz de Cabezon

Math communicator, member and founder of the group of scientists and researchers dedicated to scientific outreach called Big Van Ciencia, creator and administrator of the YouTube channel Derivando with more than 1 million followers and author of various books in Spanish, including “Mathematical Intelligence.”

Ximena Catepillan

Professor Emerita from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Chair of the History of Mathematics Special Interest Group (HOM-SIGMAA) of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), Associate Editor of the Convergence Journal of the MAA, and member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Mathematics and Culture and the Morphism Journal of the University of Santiago in Chile (USACH).

James Tanton

Math communicator, Ambassador for the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), Founder of The Global Math Project, leader of the Curriculum Inspirations project of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and author of various books, including “The Encyclopedia of Mathematics.”

Past Members of the Advisory Board

Oris Sanjur (2021-2023)

Deputy Director of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) since 2021, Acting Director of STRI 2020-2021, Associate Director for Scientific Administration of STRI 2010-2020 and President of the Panamanian Association for the Advancement of Science (APANAC) 2006-2009.

Explore the beauty and richness of mathematics in a fun and collaborative environment.

Our Young Ambassadors

Learn about our Young Ambassadors Program in the video in Spanish that appears here. If you are under 15 years of age and would be interested in becoming a FUNDAPROMAT Young Ambassador, you may contact us at info@fundapromat.org with your parents’ consent.