Tim Rogalsky he/him

Associate Professor of Mathematics

Tim loves teaching mathematics. He sees his role less as a lecturer and more as a mentor who walks alongside students in their learning. He values the energy of small classes and the chance to know students personally, helping them discover both the joys and the challenges of mathematics.

Alongside teaching, Tim has developed a strong research practice that is deeply collaborative, often involving students and colleagues. His applied research has centered on machine learning and artificial intelligence throughout his career, beginning with evolutionary algorithms and expanding to neural networks and other approaches. These tools have been applied to diverse areas such as energy efficiency, public health, wetland restoration, cancer biology, and most recently genetics, where he studies how evolution leaves its traces in the structure of genealogical data. Tim regularly presents this work at conferences and leads workshops on the responsible use of AI, both within and beyond the classroom.

At the heart of his work is a vision of education as formation, shaping not only knowledge but also character and purpose. Tim strives to cultivate inclusive spaces where students feel safe bringing their whole selves into the conversation, and where diverse perspectives are welcomed as essential to real learning. He encourages students to connect their passions with a larger purpose, exploring how mathematics and learning can contribute to a more just and flourishing world.

Outside of CMU, Tim enjoys volunteering, mountain biking, cooking, making music, and spending time with his family.

Areas of Teaching

Maths for all!

Education

Certificate in Artificial Intelligence, University of Toronto, 2025; PhD, Mathematics, University of Manitoba, 2004; MSc, Applied Mathematics, University of Manitoba, 1998; BSc (Hons), Applied Mathematics, University of Manitoba, 1996; BRS, Mennonite Brethren Bible College, 1991

Work in Detail

Teaching

Maths for anyone: 

Fun (yes really!), interactive, and accessible for all math backgrounds, including:

• MATH-1040 Elements of Discrete Mathematics, 
• MATH-1050 The Art of Mathematical Thinking,
• MATH/PHIL-3060 Introductory Logic.

Maths for CMU programs:

Various degrees in Science, Business, and Psychology require some or all of these courses:

• MATH-1000 Basic Statistical Analysis,
• MATH-1020 Introduction to Calculus,
• MATH-1030 Calculus II.

Maths for mathies:

For majors, minors, and concentrations in Mathematics, and for anyone who just loves maths!

• Mathematical Biology,
• Dynamical Systems and Chaos,
• Differential Equations,
• Linear Algebra.

Research

Current projects

"Using Artificial Intelligence to Study Early Stages of Cancer in Fruit Fly Legs." In collaboration with Dr Nicolas Malagon.

"Assessing Wetland Rehabilitation Viability in Zimbabwe." In collaboration with LINCZ, Dr Rachel Krause, Markus Martens, Micah Boschmann, Mikayla Wiebe.

"Predicting Selection Timing and Strength from ARG Topology: A Prototype Deep Learning Model Using a Graph Isomorphism Network." In collaboration with Dr Matt Thorstensen. 

Sample work

Rogalsky, T, Lia Campbell-Enns, Matthaeus Dyck, and Nicolas Malagon. 2025. "Robust Unsupervised Classification of Drosophila Cell Dynamics Using DTW and Feature-Based Cluster Consensus." 26th International Conference on Bioinformatics & Computational Biology, Las Vegas Nevada, July 21-24, 2025.

Rogalsky, T. "Rethinking Intelligence: An Anabaptist Dialogue with Artificial Intelligence." Leader Magazine. Vol. 21, Summer 2024, pp 7-9.

Rogalsky, T, Micah Boschmann, Ben Kilbrei, Duku Abodigin, Naomi Van Benthem, Octavian Bourdon, and Dr. Tim Rogalsky. 2024. "Nestled Allies: Richardson's Ground Squirrels and Artificial Burrows in the Conservation of Burrowing Owls." Canadian Applied and Industrial Mathematics Society Annual Meeting, Kingston Ontario, June 24, 2024.

Rogalsky, T. "Pandemic-inspired learning strategies for endemic times." 34th annual International Conference on Technology in Collegiate Mathematics, Virtual event, March 14, 2022.

Rogalsky, T. "Salvador Dali: Mathematical Mystic." In: Dyck, P. and Huebner, H. (eds). A University of the Church for the World. CMU Press, Winnipeg, 2016, pp 161-182.

Rogalsky, T. "Continuous parameterization for evolutionary optimal control in epidemiology." Optimization Days 2013, HEC Montreal Quebec, May 6-8, 2013.

Rogalsky, T. "Bézier Control Parameterization for evolutionary optimization in disease models." Proceedings of the Fourteenth International Conference on Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference Companion. Philadelphia Pennsylvania, July 2012. ACM, New York, NY. pp 523-530.

Derksen, R.W. and Rogalsky, T. "Bézier-PARSEC: An optimized aerofoil parameterization for design." Advances in Engineering Software. Vol. 41, Issues 7-8, July/August 2010, pp 923-930. 

Rogalsky, T. and Derksen, R.W. "Bézier-PARSEC parameterization for airfoil optimization." Canadian Aeronautics and Space Journal. Vol. 55, No. 3, December 2009, pp 163-174.

Rogalsky, T., Derksen, R.W., and Kocabiyik, S. "Differential Evolution in Aerodynamic Optimization." Canadian Aeronautics and Space Journal. Vol. 46, No. 4, December 2000. pp 183-190.

 

Applied

Selected talks and workshops

"Teaching and Learning with AI." Various workshops for teachers and learners, 2023-present. 

"This Event is Generated by Artificial Intelligence: Conversations with ChatGPT." Face2Face organizer presenter, and host, Canadian Mennonite University, November 15, 2023.

"Why Beauty Matters: Radical Amazement, Spirituality, and the Ecological Crisis." Face2Face panel organizer and presenter, Canadian Mennonite University, November 2, 2016.

"Why Beauty Matters: The Art of Nature." Winnipeg Art Gallery, "Art for Lunch" Series, April 27, 2016.

 "Salvador Dali, Mathematical Mystic." Winnipeg Art Gallery, "Art for Lunch" Series, November 26, 2014.

"Math + Art: Sacred Geometry." Winnipeg Art Gallery, "Art for Lunch" Series, April 9, 2014.

"Collection Connection: Mathematics and Renaissance Art." Winnipeg Art Gallery, "Art for Lunch" Series, November 14, 2011.

Community

Production Coordinator, Board Member, and Violist with the Mennonite Community Orchestra (2022–present).

Performed as Reuben in the Dramatic Theatre Company's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the University of Winnipeg's Asper Centre for Theatre and Film (April 2023).

Volunteer with the Winnipeg Folk Festival (2010–present).

Volunteer with the Threshermen's Reunion and Stampede at the Manitoba Agricultural Museum (2016–present, including participation in the Guinness-World-Record harvest with 139 simultaneous antique threshing machines in 2016).

Volunteer with Triathlon Manitoba and Ironman Canada (2022–present).

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