Vitalis Lagat (Postdoctoral fellow, Stellenbosch University)
Host: Prof. Cang Hui (Stellenbosch University)
Biography
Vitalis Lagat is a postdoctoral researcher and a practicing software engineer. He is affiliated with the Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (CoE-MaSS) at Wits University in Johannesburg. After receiving his degrees from the Universities of Nairobi, Cape Town and Stellenbosch (SU), respectively, he took up his current position in our Department of Mathematical Sciences at SU. If not in his office coding and figuring out how to conserve biodiversity, he is probably in the ballroom dancing, or possibly in the beach enjoying a cold breeze, or perhaps in that theatre chilling with a movie.
Research
As a data and research enthusiast interested in unlocking insights hidden in vast amounts of data, Vitalis uses mathematical and statistical models, and computer programming tools (R, Python, SQL) to offer data-driven and evidence-based solutions to complex problems in the industry, health, and conservation. Having developed two software during his postgraduate studies, he has evolved to profoundly harbour a particular interest in software developments. In his current research, he endeavours to tackle biodiversity conservation in the face of global changes and strengthen the ongoing effort in developing regional capacity and collaboration network in biodiversity informatics.