About

About Maria

A geospatial data scientist working at the intersection of spatial analytics, artificial intelligence, healthcare logistics, and higher-education pedagogy — across the United States and Uganda.

Maria's path runs between two places. It began in Uganda, where she taught information technology, systems analysis, and computer studies at the University of Kisubi from 2018 — supervising capstone research and helping students build technical confidence — work later recognized with a University of Kisubi Award of Appreciation for IT skilling.

She came to Claremont Graduate University for a master's in Information Systems & Technology, concentrating in GIS, and stayed for a Ph.D. Her doctoral research integrated AI and GIS for climate-driven malaria monitoring, demand-based resource distribution, and supply optimization in low-income countries. At commencement in May 2026 she carried the CIST department banner.

Alongside her degree, she has served since 2023 as curriculum consultant and institutional liaison for the Harvey Mudd College Clinic–Musizi University partnership — mentoring three student teams building computing and software engineering curricula for Uganda's first private liberal arts university, translating between U.S. and Ugandan academic and regulatory expectations.

Today she lectures at California State University, San Bernardino, holds a research fellowship at CGU's Center for Information Systems & Technology, and continues to build decision-support tools that move real health resources to where they are needed most.

Positions

Academic Appointments

Research Fellow

Center for Information Systems & Technology, Claremont Graduate University · May 2026 – Present

Course Developer — IST 371: GeoAI & Geospatial Deep Learning

Claremont Graduate University · May 2026 – Present

Lecturer

Dept. of Information & Decision Sciences, California State University, San Bernardino · Aug 2025 – Present

Curriculum Consultant & Institutional Liaison

Harvey Mudd College Clinic – Musizi University Partnership · Mar 2023 – Present

Lecturer in Information Technology

University of Kisubi, Uganda · Mar 2018 – 2025

Degrees

Education

Ph.D., Information Systems & Technology

Claremont Graduate University · GIS Analytics & Solutions Development · conferred May 16, 2026

M.S., Information Systems & Technology

Claremont Graduate University · GIS & Systems Development · 2023

M.S., Information Technology

Uganda Martyrs University · 2017

B.A., Education (Computer Studies)

Uganda Martyrs University · 2015

Recognition

Honors & Press

2026 — Commencement Banner Bearer & Ph.D. conferred — Center for Information Systems & Technology, CGU.
2026 — "Influential Women Distinguishes Maria A. Komugabe for Advancing Global Health Innovation Using Geospatial Data Science" — The Columbus Dispatch & The National Law Review.
2025–26 — Honorable Mention, Transdisciplinary Studies Dissertation Award — Claremont Graduate University Transdisciplinary Studies Program (Richter Memorial Funds), recognizing high-impact, cross-disciplinary doctoral research.
2024 — Feature — Harvey Mudd College Magazine (Summer 2024), on international computing curriculum partnerships.
2023 / 2025 — Inductee, Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE) Honor Society for the Computing & Information Disciplines.

Selected images

Gallery

Maria representing Claremont Graduate University as an exhibitor at the 2026 Esri User Conference in San Diego, California, July 13–17, 2026.

Maria celebrating the conferral of her Ph.D. at Claremont Graduate University Commencement, May 16, 2026.

Maria during her Ph.D. hooding at Claremont Graduate University, May 16, 2026.

Maria at CGU Commencement, May 16, 2026 — Ph.D. conferred; carrying the CIST department banner.

Maria delivering remarks as a student speaker representing Claremont Graduate University at the 7Cs International Student Graduation, 2026.

Maria representing Musizi at Harvey Mudd College Clinic Day in 2026, celebrating the project with the student team and collaborators.

Maria serving as a Student Assistant at the Esri Developer & Technology Summit, March 10–13, 2026.

Maria defending her Ph.D. dissertation at Claremont Graduate University in Burkle 16, March 6, 2026.

Maria following the successful defense of her Ph.D. dissertation at Claremont Graduate University, March 6, 2026.

Maria attending Claremont Graduate University’s Centennial Celebration, marking 100 years of the university, October 2025.

Maria guiding visitors through the Paul Gray Personal Computer Museum during Claremont Graduate University’s Centennial festivities, serving in her role as CISAT Museum Director, October 2025.

Maria being inducted into the Claremont Graduate University chapter of Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE), the international honor society for computing and information disciplines, September 26, 2025.

Maria attending the 2025 Esri User Conference in San Diego, connecting with the global GIS community and engaging with emerging geospatial technologies.

Maria representing Musizi at the Harvey Mudd College Clinic Day poster session in 2025.

Maria with her dissertation committee following her proposal defense at Claremont Graduate University, May 2025.

Maria participating in the United to Beat Malaria Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., March 16–18, 2025, supporting advocacy efforts to end malaria.

Maria attending SCaLE 22x, the Southern California Linux Expo, engaging with the open-source and free software community.

Maria connecting with fellow Claremont Graduate University alumni at SCaLE 22x, the Southern California Linux Expo.

Portrait of Maria in traditional dress, February 2025.

Maria at the 10th Future of Malaria Research Symposium at Johns Hopkins, November 2024.

Maria celebrating her graduation from Claremont Graduate University with a Master of Science in Information Systems and Technology, with a concentration in GIS and Solution Development, May 11, 2024.

Maria representing Musizi at the Harvey Mudd College Clinic Day poster session, April 2024.

Maria at the Uganda Equator monument, January 2024.

Maria participating in a class tour of Yusen Terminals at the Port of Los Angeles, connecting classroom learning with real-world logistics and port operations, November 21, 2023.

Maria representing Ugandan North American youth at the 2023 UNAA Technology Forum in Dallas, Texas, participating in discussions on technology, innovation, and community development.

Maria serving as a Student Ambassador representing the Claremont Graduate University GIS program at the 2023 Esri User Conference in San Diego.

Maria with Esri founder Jack Dangermond and fellow conference participants at the 2023 Esri User Conference in San Diego.

Maria receiving the University of Kisubi Award of Appreciation for IT skilling service.

Maria sharing Ugandan culture at a cultural exhibit, February 2023.

Maria participating in an urban farming training with Teresa Ministries Uganda, supporting practical skills development and community engagement, 2019.

Maria celebrating her Master of Information Technology graduation, March 18, 2018.

Maria receiving recognition for the University of Kisubi at the National Council for Higher Education Research and Innovation Exhibition, 2018.

Get in touch

Contact

Reach Maria by email at makomugabe@gmail.com, or find her work on the profiles below.

Email Google Scholar ORCID