Dr. Emelyne Umunoza Gasana shines as our Woman of the Week, a beacon of academic excellence and leadership whose recent appointment marks a powerful stride in STEM for Rwanda. In June 2025, Kepler College in Kigali proudly announced her elevation to Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and Research Affairs, a role she is set to assume beginning August 1st. Her promotion recognizes not only her outstanding teaching and research record but also her exceptional ability to foster strategic connections that will elevate the college’s initiatives in mathematics, data analytics, and beyond.

Her academic journey is impressive: a PhD in Mathematical Statistics from Linköping University in Sweden, an MSc in Technomathematics from LUT in Finland, and a BSc in Applied Mathematics from Rwanda’s KIST. Dr. Gasana has long championed women’s leadership in science through her active membership in networks like RAWISE, OWSD, and the Kigali hub of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers. Her excellence was internationally recognized with the Young Scientist Award at the LinStat Conference in Portugal, underscoring her impact on the global stage.

At the helm of Kepler College’s Business Analytics Research Group (BARG), Dr. Gasana leads a dynamic team committed to harnessing AI and data analytics for social good in Rwanda and the region. Her team’s research spans innovative projects, including machine learning–based attendance systems, AI-driven diagnostics for diseases like COVID 19 and tuberculosis, chatbots for personalized learning, and agri-tech initiatives empowering youth through hydroponics. These efforts exemplify her belief in research that not only advances science but also transforms communities through data informed solutions.

Her scholarly contributions are substantial. She has co-authored groundbreaking works on Edgeworth type expansions and discriminant functions in statistical theory, including publications in the Journal of Statistical Computation and Simulation and Communications in Statistics—Theory and Methods. Beyond recent journal articles, she co-wrote a time series analysis book focused on social security and insurance benefits in Rwanda, demonstrating her commitment to locally relevant scholarship.
What distinguishes Dr. Gasana is more than her credentials; it is her holistic vision. Praised by Kepler College leadership for her dedication to teaching, student engagement, and program development, she is deepening her impact in a time of rapid institutional growth. Her leadership is defined by a rare blend of intellectual rigor, mentorship, practical innovation, and advocacy for diversity in STEM.

As Woman of the Week, Dr. Emelyne Umunoza Gasana embodies the brilliance and dedication redefining science education and research in Rwanda. From leading analytics labs and shaping curricula to mentoring young scholars and forging partnerships, she stands as a model of excellence and empowerment. In her leadership and achievements, she lights a path forward for women in STEM across Africa—and beyond.