Cecilia Paredes Verduga

Early Life and Education

• Born: October 27, 1971, Guayaquil, Ecuador
• Her father was an engineer who graduated from Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL).
• She pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering at ESPOL.
• Furthered her education at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
• Earned a Master's and Doctorate degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Rutgers.

Career at Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL)

• Joined ESPOL’s faculty in 2001, engaging in research and teaching activities.
• Promoted to full professor in 2006.
• Held positions as Deputy Dean.
• Served as Director of Materials Testing.
• Directed the Polytechnic's Center for Research and Development in Nanotechnology.

Rector of ESPOL

• Appointed Vice-Rector of ESPOL in 2012 under Rector Sergio Flores Macías.
• Became Rector of ESPOL in 2017 – the first woman to hold this position in ESPOL’s 59-year history.
• Under her leadership, ESPOL was ranked among the top 100 universities in Latin America (number 74) in 2021.
• Re-elected for a second five-year term as Rector in 2022.
• Her re-election manifesto focused on transforming ESPOL through digital transformation.

Recognition and Contributions

• In 2022, she was honored by the National Assembly during their visit to Guayaquil for the celebration of Ecuador’s 202 years of independence.
• Received an award recognizing her contribution to education from the President of the National Assembly.

Personal Life

• Married with two children.