Mexico City, December 1, 2025.—The Mexican Institute of Finance Executives (IMEF) celebrated its 50th anniversary with an unprecedented event: the presentation of its first awards for lifetime achievement in research.
Among the 50 award recipients is Dr. Francisco Ortiz Arango, a professor and researcher at the Faculty of Economics and Business at the Universidad Panamericana a Level II member of the National System of Researchers (SNII).
For Dr. Ortiz Arango, who has served our university for more than 37 consecutive years, this recognition is of great significance, as the IMEF is perhaps the most renowned institution in Mexico in the field of finance.
A pioneer in quantum finance and artificial intelligence applications
Dr. Ortiz Arango was one of the first researchers in Latin America to explore quantum finance and neural networks as applied to the financial sector.
“We were pioneers in Latin America, at least when it comes to quantum finance. In fact, I was the first person in Latin America to address these issues. And in applications of neural networks, in Latin America—or at least in Mexico—we were also the first,”, he says.
However, he highlighted a crucial shift in his approach: the transition from abstract research to solving concrete problems. “We’ve gradually made this shift, because we used to do more theoretical research.”
Among his most significant recent research projects, he highlighted two in particular: a model for the energy transition and an analysis of the economic impact of crime on businesses. Regarding the first, he explains: “We developed a model to determine how, given the current capabilities of Mexico’s electricity system, it can be managed to meet the goals set forth in the Energy Transition Law and the international commitments signed by the Mexican government.”
Regarding the second point, he emphasizes its immediate relevance: “We are analyzing the impact on investment and on the companies’ operations themselves, because if goods are lost or there are extortion payments and delays, this leads to higher costs and a loss of competitiveness.”
UP: An Ecosystem for Purpose-Driven Research
Dr. Ortiz Arango emphasized the vital role that the Universidad Panamericana has played Universidad Panamericana this process by creating the conditions for knowledge to “take root” in society.
“Any university worthy of the name must engage the knowledge it generates—whether theoretical or applied—with industry, government, and public policy,” he states.
He added: “Fortunately, the Universidad Panamericana has successfully made this transition, investing sufficient resources to shift its focus toward applying the knowledge it generates for the benefit of society.”
“Very few public or private institutions have the favorable conditions that we have for conducting research, and for being able to carry it out, put it into practice, and translate it into public policy and societal impact,”, he added.
Training with a Purpose: The Three Pillars of the UP Researcher
For young people looking to follow in his footsteps, Dr. Ortiz Arango summarized his philosophy in three fundamental pillars:
- Solid training: “Build a strong foundation in your education. Make sure you have a solid theoretical foundation so that when you tackle practical problems, you can understand them.”
- Academic humility:“One must have an open mind and professional humility. You have to learn to listen.”
- A service-oriented attitude:“Perhaps the most important one. If we don’t have a service-oriented attitude—no matter how brilliant you are, no matter how humble you are, no matter how much you know—if you don’t have that attitude of serving society, then it doesn’t amount to much.”
Finally , Dr. Ortiz Arango concluded: “I am very grateful to the Universidad Panamericana for allowing me to start out as a teacher at Prepa UP 37 years ago, and for giving me the opportunity to work on various projects within the university and to develop my skills as a professor and researcher.”
The award presented by the IMEF to Dr. Ortiz Arango not only honors an exemplary career but also reinforces the Universidad Panamericana commitment Universidad Panamericana scientific and applied research that drives Mexico’s economic development.
Learn more about the researchers at the Universidad Panamericana : https://www.up.edu.mx/investigadores-panamericana/
