Brighton Nuwagira is a Ph.D. candidate in Mathematics at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he specializes in Machine Learning, Topological Data Analysis, and Medical Imaging. Under the supervision of Professor Baris Coskunuzer, his research explores the integration of topology with deep learning methods to address challenges in low-data and high-dimensional biomedical applications. Brighton holds two master’s degrees—one in Mathematics from UT Dallas and another from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Senegal—as well as a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Physics from Makerere University in Uganda. His work has been presented at top conferences such as ICCV, CHIL, MICCA and ML4H, and he has received multiple awards, including the Best Graduate Student Poster Award and travel grants from MLSys, ML4H, and JMM. Beyond his research, Brighton co-founded the Computational Intelligence Group (CIG), a global initiative advancing AI through community-based learning and collaborative research. He is a member of SIAM, AMS, and IEEE.
Ph.D. in Mathematics
University of Texas at Dallas, USA (2021 – Present)
Master of Science in Mathematics
University of Texas at Dallas, USA (Awarded Fall 2024)
Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences (Mathematics)
African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Senegal (2019 – 2020)
Bachelor of Science with Education (Mathematics Major, Physics Minor)
Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (2014 – 2017)
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Aug 2021 – Present
Graduate Research Assistant
Topological Machine Learning Group, University of Texas at Dallas, May 2024 – Aug 2024
Mathematics Teacher
St. Michael High School, Mukono, Uganda, Oct 2020 – July 2021
Mathematics Teacher
Mengo Senior School, Kampala, Uganda, Feb 2018 – Aug 2019
Graduate Intern – Communications Team
MasterCard Foundation, Uganda, July 2021 – Dec 2021
Co-Founder
Computational Intelligence Group (CIG), 2023 – Present
The Computational Intelligence Group (CIG) is a global research community that brings together early-career researchers and students with senior researchers to foster collaboration and mentorship. Founded to bridge gaps in access to advanced training, CIG creates research opportunities for those who may not have the chance to join top schools or programs in AI-related fields. Through weekly sessions, the group engages members in discussions on cutting-edge topics such as drug discovery, disease detection, and computational biology, while also offering guidance on research practices and career development. By connecting emerging scholars with established experts, CIG empowers young researchers to participate in impactful projects and prepares them to contribute meaningfully to the growing field of artificial intelligence.
I am an active member of several professional organizations that support research, collaboration, and innovation in mathematics and artificial intelligence. These include the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM), the American Mathematical Society (AMS), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and Black in AI. Through these affiliations, I actively engage in scientific discourse, present my work at conferences, and contribute to building inclusive research communities.