Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Creative minds. Critical thinking.
Limitless possibilities.
Mathematics and statistics are dynamic, growing disciplines with direct connections to technology, biology, cryptography, physics, education, psychology, business, and more. For example, mathematics are elemental to website encryption algorithms, statistics can identify trends in criminal justice, and differential equations help doctors study brain waves.
At WSU, you’ll investigate and solve both real and theoretical problems, and open doors to a wide range of careers.
Our faculty are active researchers at the forefront of current global interests. Learn about our research strengths.
In the news
WSU SURCA undergraduate researchers earn 65 awards
Seventy-three students at the Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (SURCA) 2026 were the recipients of 65 awards totaling $14,000.
Sociology’s Hafiz wins CAS 3MT Qualifier
Six competitors vied to represent the College of Arts and Sciences in the 3 Minute Thesis qualifier round on March 5th in Goertzen Hall.
WSU Data Analytics program leads with stackable, industry-aligned certifications
As demand for data skills surges, WSU is rolling out new training certifications that let learners upskill quickly without closing the door on a full degree.
Sergey Lapin named director for data analytics program
Sergey Lapin, professor, career-track, in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Washington State University Everett, has been appointed to serve as director of the data analytics program.
Department Alumni Spotlights
Dr. Mostafa Rezapour
I am currently an Assistant Professor of Artificial Intelligence at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where my work focuses on developing machine learning and statistical learning models for clinical and biomedical applications. I earned my Ph.D. in 2020 and M.S. in 2019 from Washington State University, where I worked under the supervision of Dr. Tom Asaki in applied mathematics, with a focus on optimization and machine learning, and Dr. Jan Dasgupta in statistics. My experience at WSU played a central role in shaping my academic path, strengthening both my mathematical foundation and my ability to apply statistical and machine learning methods to real-world problems. I am grateful for the mentorship, training, and supportive academic environment I received at WSU, which continue to influence my work as a faculty member and scientist today.
Dr. David Rice
David Rice was a 2026 graduate of the statistics PhD program who specialized in statistical learning of tensor valued data, studying under Yuan Wang and Weining Shen. He especially appreciated the collaborative atmosphere, and talked about problems with other students. He worked as a student statistical consultant at CISER for two years during his time at WSU and now works at Schweitzer Engineering Labs as an associate data scientist in the manufacturing department.
Dr. Pavan Dhanireddy
My journey at Washington State University, where I earned both my M.S. in Statistics and Ph.D. in Economics, was the definitive catalyst for my career in data science and econometrics. Today, I serve as a Data and Strategy Associate for Institutional Research at WSU, where I leveraged the advanced analytical training I received here to guide university-wide strategic planning and complex ETL processes. Whether I am managing large-scale institutional datasets for federal compliance or utilizing predictive modeling to support student success initiatives, I constantly rely on the rigorous methodological foundation built during my time as a student. WSU didn’t just give me a degree; it gave me the mastery of tools like SAS, R, and Python, and the critical thinking skills necessary to translate raw data into actionable policy. It is a privilege to now apply those skills to give back to the Coug community that shaped my professional path.