Mrs. Irène Irakoze

Dr. Irène Irakoze is a mathematician, actuarial scientist, and applied statistician specializing in systemic risk modeling, financial mathematics, and reinforcement learning in banking ecosystems. She holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics (Actuarial Science & Applied Statistics) from the Université du Burundi, where her doctoral research focused on Mathematical Modeling and Reinforcement Learning of Systemic Risk Management and Monitoring in Banking Ecosystems.
Dr. Irakoze currently serves as Lecturer-Researcher and Director of Academic Services at the Université des Grands Lacs. She has been also a Research Volunteer at the AIMS Research and Innovation Center (Epidemic Response Lab), contributing to mathematical modeling and evaluation of intervention strategies for infectious diseases.
Her research lies at the intersection of stochastic control, systemic financial risk, epidemiological modeling, optimal portfolio management, and quantitative finance. She has published in peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Applied Mathematics and has contributed to research on banking networks, sovereign bond markets, poverty dynamics, and financial modeling.
Dr. Irakoze has taught extensively at the Université du Burundi, delivering courses in econometrics, financial mathematics, derivatives, risk management, survival models, and data analysis using R and Python. She has also trained professionals in banking and insurance mathematics and facilitated workshops on actuarial science and statistical computing.
Her academic journey includes advanced studies at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (Cameroon) and the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Kenya), reflecting her strong pan-African academic engagement.
Dr. Irakoze is a member of the American Finance Association, the Econometric Society, the Association for the Advancement of African Women Economists, and the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World.
Passionate about advancing quantitative research in Africa, she combines rigorous mathematical modeling with real-world applications in finance, public policy, and epidemic response.