Grzegorz Wasilkowski, Ph.D.

Professor

Ask computer science professor Greg Wasilkowski what he does for fun and he quickly answers, “Mathematics.”

Ask him what he is constantly thinking about and he replies, “Mathematics.”

Ask him what he likes to read and he says, “Poetry.”

Oh, that’s different. Why?

“Because it is like mathematics.”

An expert in computational mathematics and numerical analysis, Greg’s primary field of research is called computational complexity.

“Classical methods of numerical analysis can handle functions with no more than three or four variables. But there is a host of problems in engineering, physics, chemistry, financial mathematics and other fields that have infinitely many variables,” Greg explains. “These cannot be solved on a piece of paper. They have to be solved primarily by using computers. My colleagues and I have been quite fortunate to find methods that can easily handle multi-dimensional problems, whereas the classical methods collapse.”

Greg has discovered numerous ways to help students succeed in his classes and his enthusiasm for teaching is palpable.

“I want students to not be afraid. I want them to see that mathematics may be tough, but it can also be enjoyable. I want them to see the beauty and elegance that excites me. It’s not some dead area.” 

Research Interests:

Computational Complexity
Numerical Analysis