Wandi Ding

Dr. Wandi Ding is a Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences and M.S. Graduate Program Advisor at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), affiliated with the College of Basic and Applied Sciences. She holds leadership roles in the Computational and Data Sciences Ph.D. Program, Honors College, and MTSU’s Quantum Initiative. Her research focuses on mathematical biology, optimal control, and interdisciplinary applications in disease modeling, quantum computing, and STEM education. She has received the Distinguished Research Award (2019) and secured NSF grants totaling over $250,000 for projects including the REU Site in Computational Modeling and the ADVANCE IT-Catalyst program to promote women in STEM.

Education: Ph.D. (2006, University of Tennessee, Knoxville), M.S. (2001, Ocean University of China), B.S. (1998, Qingdao University).

Research interests span mathematical biology (population dynamics, disease control), computational methods (machine learning, quantum computing), and education innovations. Key projects include malaria modeling with SIT/ITN strategies, SARS-CoV-2 immune response modeling, and quantum biology applications. She co-leads the Association for Women in Science (AWIS) TN Chapter and organizes conferences like the Shanks Workshop on Mathematical Biology (2023) and AAAI Fall Symposium on Equitable Global Health (2024).

Grants include NSF awards for disease modeling workshops and undergraduate research programs, plus travel grants from SIAM, SMB, and AWM. Her work bridges theoretical mathematics with real-world applications in health, ecology, and quantum science.

Labs/Teams: Member of the Canadian Center for Disease Modeling (CCDM) and MODELS of Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS). Co-directs SIMIODE’s national modeling initiatives and chairs editorial boards for journals like International Journal of Computer Mathematics and PRIMUS.