Professor Emerita: Applied Mathematics and Computational Science, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST)
Title: Plenary Talk on Mathematical Modeling and AI-Driven Solutions for Advancing Sustainable Development Goals
Abstract: Over the past five years, research led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Verdiana Grace Masanja at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology has addressed key global challenges, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in four areas: Epidemiology and Disease Modeling, Optimization and Financial Modeling, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Heat Transfer, and Environmental and Hydrological Modeling. Collaborating with 42 co-supervisors from 11 countries, the research has produced 32 high-impact journal publications, 9 policy briefs, and innovative prototypes. The research employs advanced mathematical modeling, AI, and computational techniques to tackle issues such as zoonotic disease control, financial risk management, water distribution, and environmental sustainability. In Epidemiology and Disease Dynamics, the focus is on understanding and controlling infectious diseases, including zoonotic diseases and plant pathogens, using AI-enhanced models. In Optimization and Financial Modeling, the research improves resource allocation, water loss management, and financial decision-making. CFD and Heat Transfer research utilizes numerical simulations to study fluid dynamics and optimize systems like blood flow and water pipeline leakage. Lastly, Environmental and Hydrological Modeling addresses challenges like groundwater pollution, stormwater effects, and climate impacts on agriculture, providing sustainable solutions for resource management. The outcomes include technological prototypes, such as AI-driven disease control interfaces, CFD-based leak detection systems, and environmental monitoring tools. These innovations contribute to improved public health, agricultural sustainability, resource management, and infrastructure resilience. This research highlights the transformative role of mathematical modeling, statistics, and AI in advancing SDGs, with significant contributions to global health, environment, and infrastructure.
Biography: Verdiana Grace Masanja is a Professor at the Kampala International University in Tanzania (KIUT). She is also a Professor Emerita at the School of Computational and Communication Science and Engineering (CoCSE), Nelson-Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Tanzania where she is also: (i) Deputy Leader of the Data Driven Innovation for Food and Nutritional Security (DDI) Incubation Centre; (ii) teaching two courses to PhD students and two courses to Masters students; (iii) Supervising 10 PhD students and 7 Masters students; (iv) Chairperson of the Mathematical Modelling and Computational Science and Engineering Research Group; and (v) Principal Investigator (PI)/ NM-AIST coordinator of the Working life interaction in modelling and data-skills (WOLIMODS) Project of a consortium of 6 Universities (3 from Finland and 3 from Africa). She is an Adjunct Lecturer, at the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University DHBW Mosbach, Germany teaching Theoretical Computer Science.
Professor Masanja is the chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Tanzania Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI) for the period 5.1.2023 to 4.1.2026, appointed by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania. She is also a member of the Basic Sciences Committee of the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH). On the continent level, she is the Vice President of Africa Mathematical Union (AMU) for the period 2022-2026, responsible for the Eastern Africa Region (Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda).
Professor Masanja retired on 28th February 2022 as Full Professor of Mathematics from the CoCSE School at NM-AIST. While at NM-AIST she was a leader of taskforces that developed important documents: 4 documents for the Resources Mobilisation and Investment, the Corporate Strategic Plan and its Business Plan, the Quality Assurance Tools and the reviewed Quality Assurance Policy. She led a search committee for deans of two schools.
Professor Masanja has been in academic teaching and research for more than 47 years since April 1976, and at a professorial rank for 23 years since July 2000 as Associate Professor and as of March 2006 as Full Professor. She also has been in Higher Education management for 24 years since 1994 without interruption until 2017, where 12 of these years she was Director responsible for postgraduate studies, research, and innovation and 2 of these years she was Senior Advisor responsible for strategic development, research and innovation (a senior manager position equivalent to Deputy Vice Chancellor). She has taught in Universities in Tanzania and Rwanda on full-time basis, and as part-time or visiting professor in Germany, Finland, Kenya, Uganda and in collaborative international programmes. She has taught mathematics/ theoretical Computer Science at undergraduate, masters, and PhD level, supervised to completion 20 Masters, 8 PhD, and 2 Postdoc students and is supervising 7 masters and 10 PhD ongoing students. She has been external examiner in many Universities in Eastern and Southern Africa. She has examined PhD and Masters Theses/ Dissertations in the Netherlands, India and in African Universities and she is well published extensively. She is an expert textbook writer, has trained writers of Mathematics Textbooks, additionally, she has been an editor and chief editor of books and Journals.
Professor Masanja has led or been member of various professions organisations/ associations for over 32 years, e.g. member of the Advisory committee of the STEM and Gender Advancement (SAGA) UNESCO project; Vice President of AMU for 3 terms; chairperson AMU Commission for Women Mathematicians for 2 term; Secretary Southern Africa Mathematical Sciences Association (SAMSA) since 1989 to 1993; Chairperson Forum for African Women Educationalist (FAWE) – Tanzania, Chairperson. Some recognition of her contribution to STEM and Females include: HeForShe Initiative in recognition of efforts to support girls and women in STEM; the Next Einstein Forum (NEF) Sage Women in STEM award in recognition of services through science; the Eastern Africa Universities Mathematics Programme (EAUMP) Dedicated Services Award in recognition of immense efforts towards improving the state of mathematics in EAUMP countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia and Sweden) since the programme establishment in 2002, and the UDSM Golden Outstanding Award in recognition of contribution to the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics in Tanzania.
Professor Masanja has been a role model in Mathematics, especially for female students and staff, throughout her academic career. She attained her PhD in Germany in January 1986 as the first woman in Tanzania to get the PhD. She has contributed tremendously in promoting mathematics in the region and promoting girls’ and women participation in Mathematics and STEM in Africa and specifically in Tanzania and Rwanda. To that effect, she has earned awards in recognition of those efforts. Additionally, Prof. Verdiana Masanja initiated or coordinated 28 major and impactful projects and programmes, which have made a big impact in academia, society and industry and she has been a leader of national and international organisations and coordinator and advisor of projects for more than 32 years.
