Wako Bungula

Wako Bungula is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. His research focuses on Topological Data Analysis (TDA), TDA Mapper, and Computational Topology. He earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Iowa (2019), an M.S. in Mathematics (2015), and dual undergraduate degrees in Mathematics and Physics from Texas Lutheran University (2013).

Education:

• Ph.D. Mathematics, University of Iowa, 2019
• M.S. Mathematics, University of Iowa, 2015
• B.S. Mathematics, Texas Lutheran University, 2013
• B.A. Physics, Texas Lutheran University, 2013

Research Interests: Dr. Bungula’s work emphasizes computational topology and TDA applications, particularly in analyzing complex datasets. His methodologies include TDA Mapper for interdisciplinary problems, such as water quality and ecological modeling.

Recent Work: His 2021 publication in Letters in Biomathematics bridges mathematical biology and undergraduate education through natural resource modeling. Presentations include applying TDA Mapper to water and bird data (2020) and stability of Mapper graphs (2020).

Teaching: Current courses include Differential Equations and Calculus I. He has taught a range of undergraduate mathematics courses, from College Algebra to Calculus III.

Awards/Honors: No explicit awards listed, but notable contributions include peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.