Prof Dr. Luisa Morales Maure | University of Panama | Panama
Dr. Luisa Morales Maure is a distinguished Panamanian mathematics educator and researcher born on May 8, 1976. Her contributions span innovative pedagogical strategies, curriculum reform, and didactic suitability within mathematics education. With vast experience coordinating academic research and training programs, she has significantly influenced mathematics teacher education in Latin America. She is the Director of Admissions for the Panamanian Association for the Advancement of Science (APANAC) and leads the Mathematics Education Research Group (GIEM-21) at the Universidad de Panamá. In 2024, she received the honorary title “Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia”, awarded by the President of Italy, recognizing her international academic impact. Dr. Morales is a long-time member of Panama’s National Research System (SNI) and regularly collaborates with European and Latin American education researchers. Her leadership and scholarship are marked by a commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and evidence-based teaching practices in mathematics education.
Profile
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Education
Dr. Luisa Morales Maure earned her doctoral credentials with a focus on mathematics education, emphasizing didactic analysis and teacher training strategies. Her academic trajectory is rooted in both Panamanian and European institutions, where she engaged in high-level interdisciplinary programs and cross-cultural pedagogical research. Her education includes intensive methodological training in Spain through projects such as EDU2015-64646-P and PGC2018-098603-B-I00, which shaped her expertise in lesson study, curriculum design, and mathematics education reform. Throughout her academic journey, she cultivated a strong foundation in research methodology, statistical analysis in education, and curricular integration of didactic tools. This educational background not only informed her scholarly approach but empowered her to lead regional and international initiatives focused on raising mathematics teaching standards. Her capacity to translate complex theoretical frameworks into practical teacher training programs exemplifies her transformative educational influence in Latin America.
Experience
Dr. Morales brings over two decades of experience in educational leadership, mathematics instruction, and teacher development. As Coordinator of GIEM-21 at Universidad de Panamá, she established the country’s leading research group dedicated to mathematics education reform. Her experience includes serving as Director of Admissions at APANAC, leading scientific congresses like the XIX National Congress of Science and Technology, and organizing high-impact training seminars with international stakeholders, including the Italian Embassy. She has conducted strategic teacher training through seminars such as “Algebraic and Geometric Thinking with New Technologies,” evaluated manuscripts for Latin American scientific journals, and mentored teacher reflection through organizations like El Salvador’s Mathematics Association. Morales has also served as Principal Investigator (PI) and co-investigator in multi-national projects, managing large-scale funds and implementing research across various educational contexts. Her experience reflects a blend of project leadership, curriculum innovation, and deep collaboration with international education experts and policymakers.
Research Interests
Dr. Morales’ research lies at the intersection of mathematics education, didactic analysis, lesson study, and teacher competency development. She investigates how educators understand, apply, and adapt mathematical pedagogy in classroom settings. Her work emphasizes didactic suitability—an evaluative framework ensuring that instructional practices are not only mathematically rigorous but pedagogically inclusive. She integrates lesson study methodology to enhance teachers’ reflective capabilities and improve instructional quality. Her research extends to digital portfolio use, technological integration in teaching, and evaluation systems that measure educational effectiveness. Morales is particularly passionate about empowering teachers through strategic, research-informed interventions that foster sustainable learning environments. Her projects have resulted in scalable frameworks now adopted by academic institutions across Latin America and Europe. Through longitudinal studies, Morales measures the impact of teacher training on student outcomes, bridging theoretical research with applied classroom practice.
Awards
Dr. Morales has received national and international recognition for her leadership in mathematics education. Most notably, in 2024 she was conferred the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia, one of Italy’s most prestigious honorary titles. In 2011, she was honored as a New Researchers Award recipient by SENACYT Panama, marking the beginning of a promising scholarly career. Over the years, she has consistently been acknowledged by the Panamanian National Research System (SNI) at Level I (2020–2027). Her award-winning research projects, co-funded by SENACYT and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education, have been celebrated for educational innovation, impact, and academic rigor. Additionally, her leadership roles in organizing the National Congress of Science and Technology and leading international training workshops have earned institutional accolades. These honors underscore her continued excellence and enduring impact in mathematics education and teacher training.
Publication Top Notes
Training math teachers in Panamá: A mixed research
Complex thinking model with sustainable development goals: Analysis with scenario-based learning for future education
Tendencias en la investigación sobre conocimiento didáctico y tecnología en la educación matemática: Un estudio bibliométrico
Experiencia educativa en modelización para docentes de matemática en Panamá
Influencia de la actitud en el rendimiento académico en matemática con estudiantes universitarios
El contraejemplo como recurso didáctico en la enseñanza del cálculo
Construcción y validación de un instrumento para caracterizar competencias docentes del profesor de matemáticas del nivel superior
Intervención formativa para el aprendizaje de las matemáticas: una aproximación desde un Diplomado.
Citizen science as a relevant approach to the challenges of complex thinking development in higher education: mapping and bibliometric analysis
La construcción científica del conocimiento de los estudiantes a partir de las gráficas con Tracker
Cultural imaginaries and complex thinking: impact of cultural education on the development of perceived achievement of complex thinking in undergraduates
Conclusion
Dr. Luisa Morales Maure exemplifies the qualities of a globally respected researcher, educator, and leader in mathematics education. Through groundbreaking initiatives in didactic analysis, lesson study, and teacher reflection, she has set a new standard for evidence-based instructional practices. Her ability to lead complex projects across international borders while managing local reforms demonstrates her rare combination of strategic vision and operational excellence. With a legacy marked by innovation, community engagement, and scholarly integrity, she continues to inspire both policymakers and educators. Her recognitions, including her Italian knighthood and national awards, affirm her sustained contribution to the scientific and educational ecosystem. She is a deserving nominee for any award celebrating excellence in research, educational leadership, and transformative impact.