Mariana Villacres Andrade is a leading Andean historian specializing in pre-Columbian and colonial Ecuador, with a strong focus on figures like Atahualpa and symbolic landmarks such as El Panecillo in Quito. She has spent over two decades researching cultural identity through sites like La Capilla del Hombre and national symbols including the escudo del Ecuador. Her work connects historical narratives to modern interpretations of Ecuadorian heritage, frequently referencing regions like Chimborazo, Chunchi, and Cumbaya. Mariana is widely published in Latin American academic journals and is known for translating complex historical insights into accessible narratives that inform both scholars and the general public.