The MesoAmerican Research Center (MARC) seeks to develop a broad understanding of the people, cultures, and environment of the greater Mesoamerican region of Mexico and Central America. Research of the center has emerged in the context of Anthropology and Archaeology, yet is wholly interdisciplinary in focus. The MesoAmerican Research Center continues to maintain its focus on the Maya forest and the broad fields of study in the region. 

The Center is part of the Institute of Social, Behavioral and Economic Research (ISBER) at University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) .