{"690900":{"#nid":"690900","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Xiaoming Huo Recognized with Outstanding Mid-Career\/Senior Faculty Achievement in Research Award","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/xiaoming-huo\u0022\u003EXiaoming Huo\u003C\/a\u003E has received the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u2019s (ISyE)\u003C\/a\u003E Outstanding Mid-Career\/Senior Faculty Achievement in Research Award. The honor annually recognizes a faculty member for their research impact and is based on publication quality and quantity, citations, awards, and the translation of methods into practice.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs ISyE\u2019s A. Russell Chandler III Professor, Huo\u2019s theoretical research focuses on explaining why modern deep-learning methods preform so well. He also uses statistics, machine learning, and data science to better to better understand the reliability and fairness of learning systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHuo has authored more than 15 refereed journal articles since 2023 and currently has 10 papers under review. His career includes 71 journal articles, 41 conference papers, 10 book chapters, and an edited volume.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhat I find most rewarding is that rigorous theory and useful tools are not in tension \u2013 the mathematical questions that fascinate me most often turn out to be the ones that help others make sense of their data,\u201d Huo said. \u201cI\u2019m deeply honored to receive this award and especially grateful to my students and collaborators, who have been at the heart of this work from the very beginning.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHuo\u2019s first algorithm for distance covariance remains a standard tool for testing statistical dependence and is reproduced in widely used statistical software. He co-directs the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/georgiactsa.org\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance\u003C\/a\u003E\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/georgiactsa.org\/research\/berd\/index.html\u0022\u003EBiostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design\u003C\/a\u003E program, which is supported by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nih.gov\/\u0022\u003ENational Institutes of Health\u003C\/a\u003E. He also serves as a co-principal investigator on the $20 million \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/aiinstitutes.org\/institute-action\/\u0022\u003ENSF AI Institute for Agent-based Cyber Threat Intelligence and Operation\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHuo said he is proud of the researchers he has trained. In the most recent recruiting cycle, his doctoral graduates earned tenure-track faculty offers from Georgetown University and the University of Florida. Earlier advisees hold faculty positions at the City University of Hong Kong, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and Seoul National University of Science and Technology, while other former students are researchers at companies that include Apple, Citadel, and JP Morgan.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis recently published work includes \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jmlr.org\/papers\/v25\/23-0957.html\u0022\u003Etwo\u003C\/a\u003E 2024 papers in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jmlr.org\/papers\/v25\/23-0379.html\u0022\u003EJournal of Machine Learning Research \u003C\/a\u003E(\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jmlr.org\/\u0022\u003EJMLR\u003C\/a\u003E). He and his students established learning guarantees for deep neutral networks, including minimax-optimal convergence rates of neural-network classifiers was accepted in 2026 by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ieeexplore.ieee.org\/stamp\/stamp.jsp?arnumber=11352993\u0022\u003EIEEE Transactions on Information Theory\u003C\/a\u003E, and his work on the universal consistency of wide and deep networks appeared at the International Conference on Machine Learning. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHuo\u2019s work on the fairness of learning systems is reflected in a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/datasetcatalog.nlm.nih.gov\/dataset?q=0002031630\u0022\u003E2025 Journal of the American Statistical Association paper\u003C\/a\u003E that characterizes the asymptotic behavior of the adversarial-training estimator, complementing his JMLR work on distributionally robust estimation. At the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/neurips.cc\/Conferences\/2025\u0022\u003EConference on National Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) 2025\u003C\/a\u003E, Huo and collaborators introduced a kernel-based quantification of the accuracy fairness trade-off in representation learning, along with a new diffusion method for imbalanced text-to-image generation, while a 2026 International Conference on Learning Representations paper advanced policy optimization for large-language-model reasoning.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe honor annually recognizes a faculty member for their research impact and is based on publication quality and quantity, citations, awards, and the translation of methods into practice.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The honor annually recognizes a faculty member for their research impact and is based on publication quality and quantity, citations, awards, and the translation of methods into practice."}],"uid":"36760","created_gmt":"2026-06-24 16:05:20","changed_gmt":"2026-06-26 17:34:27","author":"jsmith830","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-06-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-06-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680505":{"id":"680505","type":"image","title":"Xiaoming Huo, A. Russell Chandler III Professor ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EXiaoming Huo, A. Russell Chandler III Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1782317685","gmt_created":"2026-06-24 16:14:45","changed":"1782317685","gmt_changed":"2026-06-24 16:14:45","alt":"Xiaoming Huo, A. Russell Chandler III Professor ","file":{"fid":"264778","name":"Professor-Huo-Square.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/24\/Professor-Huo-Square.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/24\/Professor-Huo-Square.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":166602,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/24\/Professor-Huo-Square.jpg?itok=86UQcDa3"}}},"media_ids":["680505"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690766":{"#nid":"690766","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Meet the Two Mikes Keeping it in the Family at Georgia Tech","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWalking across the Georgia Tech campus can be an obstacle course: avoid the scooters, dodge the bikes, and keep your eyes peeled.\u0026nbsp;But if you happen to catch a ride on the Stinger\u2019s green bus route, your driver might just be Michael Carson, Sr.\u0026nbsp;And if you step inside the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE), the building coordinator keeping operations running smoothly is his son, Michael Carson.\u0026nbsp;For this father-and-son duo, working at Tech isn\u2019t just a job, it\u2019s a family bond.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMichael Carson\u2019s roots at Georgia Tech run on both sides of his family tree. His father-in-law, Dean Sutter, and his mother-in-law, Karen Ann Sutter, worked on campus for decades before retiring. His brother-in-law, Dean C. Sutter, has logged more than 24 years on campus, helping manage equipment in the Institute for Matter and System\u2019s cleanroom.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt was actually a suggestion from my father-in-law that prompted me to apply for a role at Georgia Tech in 2020. He was coming to the close of his GT career when he suggested what would be the beginning of mine,\u201d said Carson. \u201cThings were going great here at Tech, and since my dad had recently lost his father and was ready for a chance, we decided that it would be a good thing for my dad to come here.\u201d\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt that point, Michael Carson recruited Michael Sr. to apply for a job driving buses for Georgia Tech Parking and Transportation. Before long, Michael Sr. was moving from Compton California to the Atlanta area to join his son on campus.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMichael Carson basically has his workday down to a set process, making sure all the little and big things are taken care of across the ISyE Main building and the connecting Groseclose building.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis process starts with what he calls \u201cthe morning rounds,\u201d stocking faculty, Ph.D., and staff lounges; preparing conference rooms; and setting up the main atrium, especially for events such as Senior Design presentations or ISyE Advisory Board Meetings.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe might also be preparing classrooms for students and setting up displays or other furniture for a range of lecture series hosted at ISyE. In 2024, his dedication won him the ISyE Buzz Award for exceptional service.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMike Sr. worked as a shuttle bus driver for the Los Angeles International Airport before moving to Georgia. Even after a year driving a Stinger bus, he said there is no such thing as a typical day at the office.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe don\u2019t have those. Driving on campus, you must always keep your head on a swivel,\u201d he said. \u201cIt took me a while to adjust to campus life, and I would say driving here keeps you more on your toes than driving in California.\u201d \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENo matter what their days bring, the Carsons make it a point to meet on campus for lunch when their schedules permit.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver a quick bite, they might reflect on the past\u2014rabbit hunting at 4 a.m., fishing, playing one-on-one basketball in Michael Sr.\u2019s father\u2019s driveway, and going to high school basketball games\u2014and talking about what the future may hold in Georgia.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELong before he was managing the ISyE building, Michael Carson was tearing up basketball courts in Compton, winning three state championships at his father\u2019s alma mater, Manuel Dominguez High School. Basketball was Michael\u2019s ticket to college, but it required moving across the country to Alabama, a somewhat tough pill to swallow for his dad, Mike Sr.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cGrowing up in Compton wasn\u2019t bad in our neighborhood. Mike played basketball from the age of seven until he graduated high school and we didn\u2019t allow Mike to get involved with gangs or other negative influences that may have been around at that time,\u201d Carson Sr., said. \u201cMike had to move to Alabama\u0026nbsp;to continue playing. Originally, I didn\u2019t like that idea. But it was the best thing for him. And now, we are here in the same place, so it all worked out.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe younger Carson attributes his work ethic to his father and grandfather, Melvin Carson.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI remember watching my grandfather wake up at the crack of dawn, as early as 4 a.m., to go to work on construction sites and at warehouses to provide for his family,\u201d Carson said. \u201cThen my father carried that same work ethic and instilled it into me, so I guess you could say that became a Carson ritual.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond their shared work ethic, the Carsons share another timeless bond: a deep love for art, animation, and comedy.\u0026nbsp;It\u2019s a creative thread that now connects three generations, all starting with Carson, Sr.\u2019s sketch pad.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMany people don\u2019t know that my father was a really good artist. I remember when I was younger, my dad would carry a bag of drawings with him and add to his collection whenever inspiration struck him along the way,\u201d Carson said. \u201cI\u2019ll never forget growing up watching \u003Cem\u003EThe Little Rascals\u003C\/em\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EThe Three Stooges\u003C\/em\u003E, and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EWile E. Coyote and the Road Runner\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;with my father. He grew up on those shows, and it intrigued me to watch those classics. Now, my two boys, Christopher and Corey, sometimes sit down to watch those same shows with me today.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHaving those three generations together in Georgia has given new meaning to Father\u2019s Day for Carson Sr.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s difficult at times celebrating Father\u2019s Day since I lost my dad a few years ago. I didn\u2019t celebrate it as much until I moved here,\u201d the elder Carson said. \u201cMy son\u2019s family is always putting something together for us, and for me that is a way to stay connected with my pops in my own way because it reminds me of the times of being at my father\u2019s house after church, my sisters cooking dinner, watching games, and enjoying family.\u201d\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESo, what do the two Mikes do when they aren\u2019t working on campus or helping their families?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe enjoy bowling, fishing or just watching sports. I\u2019ll admit he is a better bowler than me, but I am the better fisherman,\u201d Carson Sr. said. \u201cI also enjoy watching my son coach his J.V. basketball team. He really has the patience for that sort of thing, although he did not get that from me.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor this father-and-son duo, working at Tech isn\u2019t just a job, it\u2019s a family bond.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"For this father-and-son duo, working at Tech isn\u2019t just a job, it\u2019s a family bond. "}],"uid":"36760","created_gmt":"2026-06-16 17:37:40","changed_gmt":"2026-06-23 15:18:37","author":"jsmith830","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-06-16T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-06-16T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680495":{"id":"680495","type":"image","title":"Michael Carson and Michael Carson, Sr.","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMichael Carson and Michael Carson, Sr.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1782227832","gmt_created":"2026-06-23 15:17:12","changed":"1782227886","gmt_changed":"2026-06-23 15:18:06","alt":"Michael Carson and Michael Carson, Sr.","file":{"fid":"264768","name":"stringer.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/23\/stringer.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/23\/stringer.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":297564,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/23\/stringer.jpg?itok=a5F560Ws"}},"680470":{"id":"680470","type":"image","title":"Christopher and Corey Carson enjoying the ISyE Family Picnic ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EChristopher and Corey Carson enjoying the ISyE Family Picnic\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1781630793","gmt_created":"2026-06-16 17:26:33","changed":"1781630793","gmt_changed":"2026-06-16 17:26:33","alt":"Christopher and Corey Carson enjoying the ISyE Family Picnic ","file":{"fid":"264736","name":"IMG_1319.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/16\/IMG_1319.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/16\/IMG_1319.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2301467,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/16\/IMG_1319.jpg?itok=DqqGuUu9"}}},"media_ids":["680495","680470"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690868":{"#nid":"690868","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Logistics in Transition: What to Know, What to Watch, and How to Keep Moving","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/expert\/chris-gaffney\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EChris Gaffney\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, Managing Director of the Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute and a former Vice President of Global Strategic Supply Chain at The Coca-Cola Company.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIn this article:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ed13dbb9bf72908398cb97fe89266003f\u0022\u003EWhy the relentlessness of change in logistics is a legitimate concern \u2014 not a complaint\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e3b86c34b3fa5a085d70d3ad6966c9e9c\u0022\u003EStructural shifts reshaping the competitive floor\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ec066ede3e1622b112d34df2b330f7a9d\u0022\u003EPredictions most leaders are still underweighting\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eb96017cf9b196ac23bb69766030517cb\u0022\u003EWhat staying current actually requires of individuals and teams\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Weight of Constant Curveballs\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA few months ago, I caught up with a former colleague at an industry event. He is a senior leader at a large global company with a well-regarded supply chain organization. His team had been through a lot since we last talked. Port closures. Tariff escalations. Freight volatility. Inventory repositioning. The kinds of disruptions that used to arrive once in a cycle had become an avalanche, and this was before Hormuz!\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis people had responded well. They had adapted. But now he was thinking about something harder to solve: \u0026nbsp;what it would take to keep them in the game longer term. The experience his team had gained came at a cost and he worried some would look for roles that were not on the \u201cfiring line\u201d. He also wondered whether he could still attract the best and brightest in the next generation of talent who would be looking at this field and asking whether the complexity was worth it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat conversation has stayed with me. Supply chain and logistics has always been a field of cycles \u2014 demanding, but navigable. What has changed is that the field has moved from cyclical difficulty to something more structural: a persistent state of volatility where the curveballs do not stop coming.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat conversation was in the back of my mind as I developed a recent talk on logistics trends from 2026 to 2030 for GT SCL Industry Partner Manhattan\u2019s annual Momentum conference. The brief was to look ahead and be a bit provocative. What follows builds on that talk, but with a broader point in view: if the curveballs keep coming, leaders need a clearer sense of which shifts matter most and what they should do about them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe New Operating Environment\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELogistics has entered a structurally more volatile era, not a groundbreaking insight given the last four years. Several things changed at roughly the same time, and they have not changed back:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeveral shifts hit the industry at once, and none of them have meaningfully reversed. Geopolitics is now a supply chain design variable, not something to catch up on in a podcast. Strategic decoupling between China and the United States, instability in the Middle East, and the long shadow of the Russia-Ukraine conflict have pushed energy, sourcing, and network design into the same conversation. What once sat in the news feed now needs to be in the nominal scenario during business planning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the same time, customer expectations have permanently shifted. Amazon reset the standard for visibility, precision, and speed, and that standard now applies even more as Amazon is emerging as an open source 3PL. Labor and energy costs have also changed the economics of physical logistics in ways that will not self-correct. Demographic pressure, wage inflation, and energy volatility have altered the baseline cost structure calling into question existing network locations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeanwhile, AI and automation have moved out of the experimental category and into the realm of near-term value creation. The tools are real, and organizations that understand where to apply them are making materially better decisions than those that do not. That matters because networks now have to optimize for two things at once: cost and recovery. Efficiency still matters, but a network that performs well in steady state and fails under disruption no longer meets the standard.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is also a macro pattern worth calling out: the industry is in a longer-duration rebalancing cycle than many executives expected. We examined the Hormuz disruption and its downstream effects in a recent SCL Spotlight piece. The short version is that energy pass-through effects, freight volatility, and extended planning uncertainty will impact costs and capacity well into 2027. Executives planning around a near-term return to normal are making a strategic error.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe next decade will reward adaptable logistics networks more than simply optimized ones.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Benchmark Has Changed \u2014 For Everyone\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmazon\u0027s logistics operation is not just something to amaze us as packages arrive at our doorstep consistently with compressed lead times. It is a capability demonstration that has redefined what customers consider normal \u2014 same-day expectations, ETA precision, real-time visibility, low-friction returns. The important implication is not that every organization needs to replicate Amazon\u0027s infrastructure. It is that Amazon-shaped expectations are now the standard against which every supply chain is measured, whether or not Amazon is a direct competitor. Amazon\u2019s recent announcement that it is making its capabilities available to all only raises the bar.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrganizations that understand this have shifted their strategic question from \u0022how do we improve our operations\u0022 to \u0022where will we compete, where will we leverage others\u0027 capabilities, and where will we differentiate on something Amazon cannot replicate.\u0022 The benchmark is no longer functional excellence alone. It is well oiled end-to-end execution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Real Automation Story: Error-Proofing Over Spectacle\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is a version of the automation conversation that focuses on \u0026nbsp;\u201cwow\u201d demos \u2014 autonomous vehicles, lights-out warehouses, robotics showcases. That version makes for compelling conference content. It is also not where most of the real value is being created today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe highest-value wins tend to be quieter: fewer errors, fewer touches, fewer injuries, fewer claims. Computer vision that catches a loading error before a truck leaves the dock. Sensor verification that eliminates a reconciliation step. An alert from a Machine Learning model that prevents a cascading service failure. These are error-proofing stories, and they are compelling because the ROI is measurable in terms operations leaders understand.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe reason automation is scaling in these areas is not novelty \u2014 it is because the math finally works, driven by labor scarcity, safety pressure, and the compounding cost of variability. My own view informed by industry contacts and academic researchers is that computer vision may become one of the most quietly transformative technologies of this decade, not because it is the most advanced, but because it applies to so many high-variability, human-intensive touchpoints across logistics operations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat said, a high percentage of large-scale automation efforts still fail. \u0026nbsp;Many of the reasons are well known and tackling this issue is critical for those who do not yet have a model for success.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe next margin pool may come more from consistency and reliability than from flashy robotics demonstrations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis theme generated significant discussion at the Manhattan Associates\u0027 Momentum conference this spring \u2014 enough that we are dedicating our July SCL webinar to it directly. If your organization is navigating automation decisions, the session is worth your time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAutonomy: Watch the Middle Mile Before the Long Haul\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAutonomous vehicle technology has generated significant hype and its share of missed timelines. A more realistic view is emerging. Autonomy scales first where variability is lowest, economics are clearest, and environments are most constrained \u2014 yard operations, middle-mile freight on repetitive lanes, internal shuttles, port drayage, and warehouse orchestration. This amounts to millions of miles and load counts that are increasing daily.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe organizations watching this most carefully are not asking when full autonomy will arrive. They are asking which specific lanes and operations have the cost structure where autonomy pays out today. One dynamic worth watching: the scaling of urban robotaxi operations is building safety data, insurance frameworks, and regulatory precedent that may indirectly accelerate confidence in middle-mile freight and warehouse applications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe shift that matters is not from no autonomy to full autonomy. It is from technology demonstrations to lane economics \u2014 and that is the transition that creates real operating decisions for logistics leaders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAI Is Real \u2014 But Workflow Discipline Matters More Than Tool Selection\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe common reality in most logistics organizations today includes AI copilots, workflow assistance tools, exception management support, improved ETA prediction, and document automation. These are useful. They are also early.\u003Cbr\u003EWhat is still uncommon: autonomous execution, fully integrated AI decisioning across functions, self-optimizing networks, and end-to-end agentic orchestration. Those capabilities exist in pilots and in forward-leaning early adopters. They are not yet standard operating practice in most organizations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe framing that I keep coming back to is this: start with a broken logistics workflow, then apply the lightest AI capable of clearing a hard ROI threshold. I got a text from a mentee today that showed a picture of a Microsoft Co-pilot Studio agent he built that automates a daily inventory check on a critical SKU. Organizations that start by selecting the most impressive tool and then look for a process to apply it to are making the investment in the wrong order.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is another structural shift worth highlighting. The industry has moved out of data scarcity and is living in decision overload. The challenge is not access to information \u2014 it is building the discipline to convert that information into insight and informed decisions at the right time to impact action.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELogistics first, AI second. Start with the broken workflow. Then apply the lightest tool that clears a hard ROI threshold.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Rising Value of Human Judgment\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBack to the conversation I opened with. The concern was not that my friend\u2019s team lacked technical skills \u2014 it was sustaining engagement and attracting talent to a field that had become genuinely exhausting. That challenge is real, and it is connected to something missed in the automation conversation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs AI automates more routine work \u2014 reporting, documentation, tracking, reconciliation \u2014 the work that remains becomes more demanding in different ways. The value shifts toward judgment: escalation management, cross-functional orchestration, interpreting second-order consequences, maintaining trust when the data is ambiguous. The organizations that will attract and retain the strongest professionals are not necessarily those with the most advanced tools. They are the ones that create conditions where smart people make consequential decisions and continue to grow.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs AI capabilities become more democratized across the industry, the differentiating capabilities will increasingly be leadership, communication, collaboration, and the kind of critical thinking that no tool can fully replicate.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EPredictions Leaders Should Keep an Eye On\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese are the shifts I believe deserve more attention than they are getting in most leadership conversations:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eb3990583ba42d892b8c0da99a5b8b02c\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Next Major Logistics Disruption May Come From Energy, Not Freight\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGrid strain, electrification demand, AI compute infrastructure buildout, and charging capacity constraints are converging in ways that could reshape logistics economics faster than expected. Power availability is not yet a front-burner strategic issue for most logistics leaders. It should be.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ef437499f47298f3ed4f1703bea6703d9\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAmazon, Walmart, and Chinese Platforms May Become Competing Logistics Operating Systems\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECompetition is shifting from retailer vs. retailer to ecosystem vs. ecosystem. The organizations that do not think clearly about which ecosystems they are part of, and on what terms, may find themselves structurally disadvantaged.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022eb276d917f66951b5152b3a81b772f51b\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECyber Attacks on Physical Supply Chains Will Become a Defining Executive Risk\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAs logistics networks become more connected, more automated, and more AI-dependent, your exposure grows. The distinction between cyber risk and operational risk is collapsing. This belongs on the executive agenda as a strategic issue, not just an IT issue.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e50bc6a738d71eec2c18b650738e464af\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETrusted Operational Data May Become the Most Valuable Logistics Asset\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EOrganizations with clean, well-governed operational data will be able to move fast on AI adoption. Organizations with fragmented, inconsistent data will face a structural disadvantage that no AI investment can overcome. Data discipline is a strategic investment, not a cleanup project.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022e6313c2ad5ac7b88704dd03357ed8a40e\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EInsurance Companies May Quietly Become Gatekeepers of Automation Adoption\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EScaling autonomy and connected logistics infrastructure depends as much on insurability, liability frameworks, and safety validation as on technical capability. Insurance market dynamics will shape the adoption curve for autonomous operations in ways that are not yet widely discussed in logistics circles.\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli data-list-item-id=\u0022ef08414480855d8814fc8a6671baff198\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Industry May Shift From \u0022Lowest Cost\u0022 to \u0022Fastest Recovery\u0022 as the Defining Competitive Dimensio\u003C\/strong\u003En\u003Cbr\u003EPure cost optimization as a primary network design principle may increasingly underperform against resilience and recovery speed as the basis of competition. The organizations that have already internalized this are building different networks than those still optimizing for cost alone.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat Staying Current Actually Requires\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI want to close by coming back to my colleague\u0027s concern \u2014 and to the question he was really asking: how do we help our people process all of this and remain effective?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere is my honest answer. The field is not going to slow down. \u003Cstrong\u003EWhat staying current requires is not reading every article or attending every conference. It requires developing a point of view on the shifts that matter most for your specific context, and then actively deciding how you will act and adjust\u003C\/strong\u003E. Passive awareness is not enough. The question is not whether you know what is changing. It is what you have decided to do about it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor organizations, that means investing in conditions that allow talented people to keep learning. For individuals, it means resisting the temptation to treat busyness as a substitute for development. The professionals who remain most valuable will be those who continue to understand what is changing and develop the judgment to translate that understanding into better decisions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYou cannot sit still. The question is not whether you know what is changing. It is what you have decided to do about it.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Opportunity on the Other Side\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI want to end where I began \u2014 with empathy for everyone in this field who is carrying a lot right now. Fatigue is real. The complexity is real. The ongoing intensity is real.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd so is the opportunity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELogistics is no longer just moving product. It is becoming a resilience system, a customer experience system, a technology system, an energy system, and a real-time decision system simultaneously. The professionals who learn to navigate that complexity \u2014 who develop both technical fluency and human judgment \u2014 will be among the most valuable people in any organization.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe future arrives not as one dramatic breakthrough, but as a sequence of operational readthroughs: decisions made well, workflows redesigned thoughtfully, capabilities built deliberately. That is hard work. It is also genuinely exciting work. And I believe the best of it is still ahead.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ERelated Upcoming SCL Webinar 7\/2\/2026\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/2117803348049\/WN_528KNX2LRFWvO3bZXYaYtg\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy Do So Many Automation Projects Fail?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EAutomation in logistics is accelerating \u2014 but so is the gap between what is promised and what is delivered. Systems get sized on optimistic assumptions. Hidden dependencies become single points of failure. Technology that shines in the demo struggles under real operating conditions.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ELeaders from Georgia Tech\u0027s Supply Chain and Logistics Institute join industry practitioners to dig into the root causes of automation underperformance \u2014 and the design, evaluation, and implementation practices that build more resilient, effective operations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gatech.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/2117803348049\/WN_528KNX2LRFWvO3bZXYaYtg\u0022\u003ERegister Online to attend via Zoom\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cem\u003ECan\u0027t attend live? Register anyway, and we\u0027ll send you the recording afterward\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELogistics isn\u0027t just changing \u2014 it\u2019s being redefined by constant disruption, rising expectations, and new technology. This SCL Spotlight breaks down the biggest shifts shaping the next decade and what leaders must do to stay ahead. Discover the insights that can help you adapt, build resilience, and keep your organization moving.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Discover the insights that can help you adapt, build resilience, and keep your organization moving."}],"uid":"27233","created_gmt":"2026-06-22 21:33:45","changed_gmt":"2026-06-23 12:25:43","author":"Andy Haleblian","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-06-23T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-06-23T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680492":{"id":"680492","type":"image","title":"Logistics in Transition","body":null,"created":"1782163725","gmt_created":"2026-06-22 21:28:45","changed":"1782163725","gmt_changed":"2026-06-22 21:28:45","alt":"Promotional graphic titled \u2018SCL Spotlight: Logistics in Transition: What to Know, What to Watch, and How to Keep Moving,\u2019 featuring a global supply chain scene with a cargo ship at port, a truck on a highway, a warehouse robot, and an airplane overhead, overlaid with digital icons for visibility, resilience, and adaptability.","file":{"fid":"264762","name":"spotlight-newsletter_LogInTransition_202606.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/22\/spotlight-newsletter_LogInTransition_202606.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/22\/spotlight-newsletter_LogInTransition_202606.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":167439,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/22\/spotlight-newsletter_LogInTransition_202606.jpg?itok=i2cx834H"}},"674087":{"id":"674087","type":"image","title":"Chris Gaffney","body":"\u003Cp\u003EChris Gaffney\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1717067903","gmt_created":"2024-05-30 11:18:23","changed":"1771883375","gmt_changed":"2026-02-23 21:49:35","alt":"Chris Gaffney, Managing Director, Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute","file":{"fid":"257557","name":"chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":129544,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg?itok=_M0fOBTF"}}},"media_ids":["680492","674087"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/gatech.zoom.us\/webinar\/register\/2117803348049\/WN_528KNX2LRFWvO3bZXYaYtg","title":"Related SCL webinar 7\/2\/2026 \u0022Why Do So Many Automation Projects Fail?\u0022"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/news-events\/newsletters","title":"View past SCL newsletters and join our mailing list"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/","title":"Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute"}],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"194489","name":"scl-spot"},{"id":"167074","name":"Supply Chain"},{"id":"187190","name":"-go-gtmi"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["info@scl.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690584":{"#nid":"690584","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Valerie Thomas Recognized with Sustainable Development Teaching Award at IISE Annual Conference\u00a0 ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E Anderson-Interface Chair of Natural Systems and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/valerie-thomas\u0022\u003EProfessor, Valerie Thomas\u003C\/a\u003E, was awarded the 2026 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iise.org\/Details.aspx?id=35145\u0022\u003ESustainable Development Division Teaching Award\u003C\/a\u003E, at the Institute of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iise.org\/annual\/\u0022\u003EIndustrial and Systems Engineers\u2019 Annual Conference \u003C\/a\u003E\u0026amp; Expo in Arlington, Texas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe IISE Sustainable Development Teaching Award confirms sustainable development as a strength of industrial engineering,\u201d said Professor Thomas, who also has a joint appointment in Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EJimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cReceiving this award brings ISyE\u2019s sustainable development offerings to the attention of the wider industrial engineering community.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe award was developed by IISE\u2019s Sustainable Development Division to recognize the contribution of an individual advancing the knowledge and practice of sustainability in the field of industrial engineering.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThomas has an extensive history of high-quality teaching and leadership in developing interdisciplinary, sustainability focused courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The quality and effectiveness of her sustainability-focused teaching efforts have consistently yielded high evaluations in student feedback.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IISE award committee also highlighted Thomas\u2019 teaching impact beyond courses and classrooms, through global learning experiences in Rwanda focused on sustainable development, and her scholarly contributions in sustainability education.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThomas has created three sustainability-focused courses at Georgia Tech, one at the undergraduate level and two at the graduate level, and a study abroad program.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThomas\u2019 undergraduate course, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/courses\/isye4501_2.pdf\u0022\u003EEnergy, Efficiency and Sustainability (ISYE 4501)\u003C\/a\u003E, is offered annually. This course focuses on technology cost analysis and environmental modelling. Students learn how to assess efficiency and impacts of industrial systems such as power generation, transportation, manufacturing, and building operation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the graduate level, Thomas collaborated with Georgia Tech Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/marilyn-a-brown\u0022\u003EMarilyn Brown\u003C\/a\u003E to develop an interdisciplinary course, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/oscar.gatech.edu\/bprod\/bwckctlg.p_disp_course_detail?cat_term_in=202602\u0026amp;subj_code_in=PUBP\u0026amp;crse_numb_in=6701\u0022\u003EEnergy Technology and Policy (ISYE\/PUBP 6701)\u003C\/a\u003E, that draws graduate students from ISyE, Public Policy, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ECollege of Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, and from throughout Georgia Tech, with both an in-person section and a distance-learning section. The distance-learning section draws students from online master\u2019s programs in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and more. To support this course, Brown and Thomas co-wrote a textbook, \u201c\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.springerprofessional.de\/en\/energy-technology-and-policy-innovation\/52298318\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EEnergy\u003C\/em\u003E \u003Cem\u003ETechnology and Policy Innovation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u2019ve had the privilege of teaching Energy Technology and Policy with Valerie once a year for 20 years. We used to do major marketing with flyers and videos, but soon the course caught on, moved to larger classrooms, and doubled in numbers with an on-line section. Our course focuses on core scientific principles and practical tools to support fact-based energy system decision-making. We never could find a textbook with all the material we wanted students to master. So we created a book from our lecture notes - all 610 pages and 44 chapters - that was just published by Springer-Nature,\u201d said Professor Brown, Regents\u0027 and Brook\u0026nbsp;Byers Professor of Sustainable Systems. \u201cTeaching beside Valerie for twenty years has been both a joy and an education in itself.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlso at the graduate level, Thomas created a new course on life cycle assessment (LCA); this course draws graduate students from across Georgia Tech. Students gain hands-on experience with a comprehensive set of LCA methods and tools, including the life cycle process-based method, energy and greenhouse gas calculations, cost analysis, allocation and system expansion, economic input\u2013output LCA, hybrid LCA, the life cycle process matrix method, consequential LCA, and life cycle impact assessment. The course culminates in a substantial, project-based life cycle assessment, providing students with conceptual understanding and practical expertise.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn addition to academic courses, Professor Thomas has developed a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/rwanda-study-abroad\/\u0022\u003ERwanda Study Abroad\u003C\/a\u003E program that powerfully complements classroom learning. In this program, students work on sustainable development projects during the spring semester at Georgia Tech and then \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/news\/rwanda-study-abroad-program-empowers-georgia-tech-students-through-experiential \u0022\u003Etravel to Rwanda during spring break\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Valerie Thomas, was awarded the 2026 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iise.org\/Details.aspx?id=35145\u0022\u003ESustainable Development Division Teaching Award\u003C\/a\u003E, at the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers\u2019 Annual Conference \u0026amp; Expo in Arlington, Texas.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Professor Valerie Thomas, was awarded the 2026 Sustainable Development Division Teaching Award, at the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers\u2019 Annual Conference \u0026 Expo in Arlington, Texas."}],"uid":"36760","created_gmt":"2026-06-01 18:44:05","changed_gmt":"2026-06-13 00:30:45","author":"jsmith830","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-06-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-06-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680393":{"id":"680393","type":"image","title":"Professor Valerie Thomas receiving the 2026 IISE Sustainable Development Division Teaching Award, from Jeremy Rickli, Assoc. Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Wayne State University and Past-President of the IISE Sustainable Development D","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Valerie Thomas receiving the 2026 IISE Sustainable Development Division Teaching Award, from Jeremy Rickli, Assoc. Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Wayne State University and Past-President of the IISE Sustainable Development Division, at the IISE meeting in Arlington, TX, May 18, 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1780339480","gmt_created":"2026-06-01 18:44:40","changed":"1780340030","gmt_changed":"2026-06-01 18:53:50","alt":"Professor Valerie Thomas receiving the 2026 IISE Sustainable Development Division Teaching Award, from Jeremy Rickli, Assoc. Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Wayne State University and Past-President of the IISE Sustainable Development Division, at the IISE meeting in Arlington, TX, May 18, 2026.","file":{"fid":"264649","name":"Valerie-Award.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/01\/Valerie-Award.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/01\/Valerie-Award.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1450982,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/01\/Valerie-Award.jpg?itok=ivBqeqqz"}},"680395":{"id":"680395","type":"image","title":"Professor Valerie Thomas and Georgia Tech Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy Professor Marilyn Brown co-wrote the textbook, \u201cEnergy Technology and Policy Innovation,\u201d to support the interdisciplinary course, Energy Technology and Policy (IS","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Valerie Thomas and Georgia Tech Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/spp.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/marilyn-a-brown\u0022\u003EMarilyn Brown\u003C\/a\u003E co-wrote the textbook, \u201c\u003Cem\u003EEnergy\u003C\/em\u003E \u003Cem\u003ETechnology and Policy Innovation\u003C\/em\u003E,\u201d to support the interdisciplinary course, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/oscar.gatech.edu\/bprod\/bwckctlg.p_disp_course_detail?cat_term_in=202602\u0026amp;subj_code_in=PUBP\u0026amp;crse_numb_in=6701\u0022\u003EEnergy Technology and Policy (ISYE\/PUBP 6701)\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1780340067","gmt_created":"2026-06-01 18:54:27","changed":"1780340067","gmt_changed":"2026-06-01 18:54:27","alt":"Professor Valerie Thomas and Georgia Tech Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy Professor Marilyn Brown co-wrote the textbook, \u201cEnergy Technology and Policy Innovation,\u201d to support the interdisciplinary course, Energy Technology and Policy (ISYE\/PUBP 6701)","file":{"fid":"264650","name":"Valerie-Marilyn-Book.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/01\/Valerie-Marilyn-Book.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/01\/Valerie-Marilyn-Book.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":43291,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/01\/Valerie-Marilyn-Book.jpeg?itok=T3QyK-po"}},"680396":{"id":"680396","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech students participating in the Rwanda Study Abroad program","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students participating in the Rwanda Study Abroad program\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1780341034","gmt_created":"2026-06-01 19:10:34","changed":"1780341034","gmt_changed":"2026-06-01 19:10:34","alt":"Georgia Tech students participating in the Rwanda Study Abroad program","file":{"fid":"264652","name":"IMG_0276_2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/01\/IMG_0276_2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/01\/IMG_0276_2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":150592,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/01\/IMG_0276_2.jpg?itok=sG7u0dgD"}}},"media_ids":["680393","680395","680396"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.springerprofessional.de\/en\/energy-technology-and-policy-innovation\/52298318","title":"Energy Technology and Policy Innovation"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/news\/rwanda-study-abroad-program-empowers-georgia-tech-students-through-experiential","title":"Rwanda Study Abroad Program Empowers Georgia Tech Students Through Experiential, Interdisciplinary Learning"}],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690671":{"#nid":"690671","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Alumni Advisory Board Panel Discussion Highlights \u0022The ISyE Advantage\u0022 ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s men\u2019s basketball team was struggling during \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/chris-mast\/\u0022\u003EChris Mast\u003C\/a\u003E\u2019s sophomore year. He thought the Yellow Jackets needed to make better decisions and that better data could help. So, when he spotted then-head coach Brian Gregory at a fraternity event, Mast walked up and made his pitch.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThey kept losing in the same way, every single time. I thought to myself \u2018if coach just had really good data, maybe we\u2019d win some games,\u2019\u201d Mast (IE 2015) jokingly said. \u201cI met Coach Gregory at the front door of that fraternity event, pitched him my idea, and he liked it. I did everything in Excel with \u2018Moneyball-Style\u2019 lineup optimization. It worked, they changed their style, we started winning games, and we beat North Carolina that year.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMast\u2019s scrappy beginning in sports analytics eventually led to work with the Atlanta Hawks from 2017-2021 and to his current role as a sports scientist for the Detroit Pistons.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMast shared his story during a recent Georgia Tech ISyE alumni entrepreneurship panel moderated by Advisory Board Chair \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/evrenozkaya\/\u0022\u003EEvren Ozkaya\u003C\/a\u003E, PhD IE 2008, Founder and CEO of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/supplychainwizard.com\/evren-ozkaya\/\u0022\u003ESupply Chain Wizard\u003C\/a\u003E and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscw.ai%2F\u0026amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjoshua.smith%40isye.gatech.edu%7C257127e7343f4354c24808deb1000f42%7C482198bbae7b4b258b7a6d7f32faa083%7C1%7C0%7C639142811234333544%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C\u0026amp;sdata=J8%2BT5jHwsvpUX4XUooOXfqF7oP8mmffZzlx%2B2O7x%2BFc%3D\u0026amp;reserved=0\u0022\u003ESCW.AI\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey were joined by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/frederick-grimm-5510ba36\/\u0022\u003EFred Grimm\u003C\/a\u003E, IE 2014, co-founder and COO of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fixd.com\/\u0022\u003EFIXD\u003C\/a\u003E; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ibbotson\/\u0022\u003EAndy Ibbotson\u003C\/a\u003E, IE 1998, founder of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ratings.md\/\u0022\u003ERatingsMD\u003C\/a\u003E; and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jeff-anderson-5aa61a\/\u0022\u003EJeff Anderson\u003C\/a\u003E IE 1991, co-founder and chief growth officer of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.kaizenanalytix.com\/\u0022\u003EKaizen Analytix\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETogether, the panelists offered a candid look at the grind of building a company and the systems-minded discipline that gives ISyE graduates a distinctive edge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Scrappy Era: Learning by Doing\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor Grimm and two of his Georgia Tech classmates, the founding idea behind FIXD started with a common frustration: most drivers did not know why their check-engine light was on. And finding out was expensive and inconvenient. Their answer was a plug-in diagnostic device paired with a smartphone app that put that information directly in a driver\u2019s hands.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat began as a senior project launched on Kickstarter in 2014 would raise $37,000. It was grown into one of the nation\u2019s most widely used automotive apps.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFIXD\u2019s early days were far from glamorous. Grimm remembers working from a windowless \u201ccloset\u201d in the basement of a campus building and looking for customers anywhere they could find them. The team would even go to Piedmont Park and stop strangers to pitch their concept.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe realized that if we talked to people, we could sell to about 60% of them,\u201d Grimm said. \u201cIt wasn\u0027t scalable, but it taught us how to talk to customers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIbbotson described a different kind of test during the panel discussion: surviving the \u201cnuclear winter\u201d after the dot-com bubble burst.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy business partner and I stopped taking salaries. We both were paid $2,000 a year for two years, while continuing to pay six-figure salaries to our remaining employees,\u201d he said. \u201cWe were betting that things would be good on the other end. Our competitors were going out of business, but we just kept persevering.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe ISyE Advantage: Systems Thinking in Action\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA recurring theme during the discussion was that ISyE graduates are trained not just to solve isolated problems, but to understand how the pieces fit together. Ozkaya noted that many entrepreneurs focus on a single feature or narrow pain point. The stronger opportunity is often broader: designing the operating system around the problem: the data, incentives, workflows, decisions, and people that must work together for a solution to scale.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMast connected that idea to what he learned at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA fifth-year student once told me that Tech teaches you how to think. That mindset stayed with me,\u201d Mast said. \u201cI truly don\u0027t believe there is a problem I can\u2019t solve. I know how to convert problems into bite-sized chunks and attack them.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe AI Inflection Point\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe panelists agreed that artificial intelligence is changing the economics and pace of entrepreneurship. Ibbotson recalled that when he started his first company, he spent $100,000 on a Dell server and Microsoft Exchange licenses just to provide corporate email. Many of those barriers have since disappeared.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cFor example, my 13-year-old son recently used AI to build a minimum viable product in two months for less than $200,\u201d Ibbotson said. \u201cIt would have taken my partner and me 12 months and $200,000 many years ago.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnderson said AI is also changing the way established teams operate, allowing engineering teams to move dramatically faster. The premium skill, he argued, is no longer simply the ability to code quickly.\u0026nbsp;\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cIt\u2019s the ability to define the problem clearly, ask better questions, and make sound decisions,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cIn other words, the speed of tools makes the quality of thinking even more important.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdvice for the next generation of founders\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe panel closed with practical advice for students and alumni considering an entrepreneurial path. The message was direct: start before the risk feels comfortable. Financial obligations tend to grow over time, while the ability to experiment is often greatest early in a career.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe panelists urged founders to listen carefully to customers and that a company does not have to be first to win because being a fast follower can be powerful when the problem is already understood, the market has a budget, and the founder can execute with better insight and discipline.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAnother Georgia Tech grad who had just exited his software company was trying to figure out what to do next. And one of our customers \u2014 early customers that he was friends with \u2014 said, \u2018Hey, Andy just sold his company to NRC. Why don\u2019t you build the same thing and try to sell it to their competitor,\u2019\u201d Ibbotson said. \u201cAnd so, they we were, second to market, not as good, but NRC\u2019s competitor needed an offering to be competitive with ours. They ended up selling for $70 million more than we sold for, even though they didn\u2019t have a good solution because the bigger company needed something.\u201d\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe panelists encouraged students to use the Georgia Tech and ISyE network aggressively, noting how a single faculty introduction or alumni connection can open doors that would otherwise be difficult to reach.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cLots of coffee, lots of sleepless nights, lots of hard work. You need to outlive the competition, and connections and networking is critical,\u201d Ozkaya said. \u201cI wrote an article a year into Supply Chain Wizard and said: \u2018Eat, pray, love and network.\u2019 You need to love what you do, you need to pray that you survive, and you need to network. Networking is what brings you the opportunities.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeet the Panelists:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u00b7\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/frederick-grimm-5510ba36\/\u0022\u003EFred Grimm\u003C\/a\u003E (IE 2014): Co-founder \u0026amp; COO, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fixd.com\/resources\/about-us-rd\u0022\u003EFIXD\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u00b7\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ibbotson\/\u0022\u003EAndy Ibbotson\u003C\/a\u003E (IE 1998): Founder, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ratings.md\/\u0022\u003ERatingsMD\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u00b7\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jeff-anderson-5aa61a\/\u0022\u003EJeff Anderson\u003C\/a\u003E (IE 1991): Co-founder \u0026amp; Chief Growth Officer, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.kaizenanalytix.com\/\u0022\u003EKaizen Analytix\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u00b7\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/chris-mast\/\u0022\u003EChris Mast\u003C\/a\u003E (IE 2015): Sports Scientist, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nba.com\/pistons\/\u0022\u003EDetroit Pistons\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u00b7\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/evrenozkaya\/\u0022\u003EEvren Ozkaya\u003C\/a\u003E (Moderator, IE 2005): Founder \u0026amp; CEO, Supply Chain Wizard and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscw.ai%2F\u0026amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjoshua.smith%40isye.gatech.edu%7C257127e7343f4354c24808deb1000f42%7C482198bbae7b4b258b7a6d7f32faa083%7C1%7C0%7C639142811234333544%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C\u0026amp;sdata=J8%2BT5jHwsvpUX4XUooOXfqF7oP8mmffZzlx%2B2O7x%2BFc%3D\u0026amp;reserved=0\u0022\u003ESCW.AI\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Panel discusses the future of AI, systems thinking, startups, and entrepreneurship "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EPanel discusses the future of AI, systems thinking, startups, and entrepreneurship\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Panel discusses the future of AI, systems thinking, startups, and entrepreneurship "}],"uid":"36760","created_gmt":"2026-06-08 14:47:21","changed_gmt":"2026-06-08 16:55:04","author":"jsmith830","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-06-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-06-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680428":{"id":"680428","type":"image","title":"Evren Ozkaya (IE 2005): Founder \u0026 CEO, Supply Chain Wizard and SCW.AI moderates ISyE Entrepreneurship Panel ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEvren Ozkaya (IE 2005): Founder \u0026amp; CEO, Supply Chain Wizard and SCW.AI moderates ISyE Entrepreneurship Panel\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1780928747","gmt_created":"2026-06-08 14:25:47","changed":"1780929196","gmt_changed":"2026-06-08 14:33:16","alt":"Evren Ozkaya (IE 2005): Founder \u0026 CEO, Supply Chain Wizard and SCW.AI moderates ISyE Entrepreneurship Panel ","file":{"fid":"264685","name":"IMG_3158.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_3158.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_3158.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1866121,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_3158.jpg?itok=0-9LOSYe"}},"680431":{"id":"680431","type":"image","title":" Jeff Anderson (IE 1991): Co-founder \u0026 Chief Growth Officer, Kaizen Analytix","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jeff-anderson-5aa61a\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003EJeff Anderson\u003C\/a\u003E (IE 1991): Co-founder \u0026amp; Chief Growth Officer, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.kaizenanalytix.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003EKaizen Analytix\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1780937337","gmt_created":"2026-06-08 16:48:57","changed":"1780937337","gmt_changed":"2026-06-08 16:48:57","alt":" Jeff Anderson (IE 1991): Co-founder \u0026 Chief Growth Officer, Kaizen Analytix","file":{"fid":"264689","name":"IMG_2981.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_2981.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_2981.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1893770,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_2981.jpg?itok=MMRL8RH0"}},"680432":{"id":"680432","type":"image","title":" Andy Ibbotson (IE 1998): Founder, RatingsMD","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ibbotson\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003EAndy Ibbotson\u003C\/a\u003E (IE 1998): Founder, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ratings.md\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003ERatingsMD\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1780937337","gmt_created":"2026-06-08 16:48:57","changed":"1780937337","gmt_changed":"2026-06-08 16:48:57","alt":" Andy Ibbotson (IE 1998): Founder, RatingsMD","file":{"fid":"264690","name":"IMG_3057.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_3057.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_3057.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1862262,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_3057.jpg?itok=GyPJTufW"}},"680433":{"id":"680433","type":"image","title":"Fred Grimm (IE 2014): Co-founder \u0026 COO, FIXD","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/frederick-grimm-5510ba36\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003EFred Grimm\u003C\/a\u003E (IE 2014): Co-founder \u0026amp; COO, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.fixd.com\/resources\/about-us-rd\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003EFIXD\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1780937337","gmt_created":"2026-06-08 16:48:57","changed":"1780937337","gmt_changed":"2026-06-08 16:48:57","alt":"Fred Grimm (IE 2014): Co-founder \u0026 COO, FIXD","file":{"fid":"264691","name":"IMG_3083.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_3083.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_3083.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1991187,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_3083.jpg?itok=ni7emuvW"}},"680434":{"id":"680434","type":"image","title":"Evren Ozkaya (IE 2005): Founder \u0026 CEO, Supply Chain Wizard and SCW.AI","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/evrenozkaya\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003EEvren Ozkaya\u003C\/a\u003E (IE 2005): Founder \u0026amp; CEO, Supply Chain Wizard and\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscw.ai%2F\u0026amp;data=05%7C02%7Cjoshua.smith%40isye.gatech.edu%7C257127e7343f4354c24808deb1000f42%7C482198bbae7b4b258b7a6d7f32faa083%7C1%7C0%7C639142811234333544%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C\u0026amp;sdata=J8%2BT5jHwsvpUX4XUooOXfqF7oP8mmffZzlx%2B2O7x%2BFc%3D\u0026amp;reserved=0\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003ESCW.AI\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1780937337","gmt_created":"2026-06-08 16:48:57","changed":"1780937337","gmt_changed":"2026-06-08 16:48:57","alt":"Evren Ozkaya (IE 2005): Founder \u0026 CEO, Supply Chain Wizard and SCW.AI","file":{"fid":"264692","name":"IMG_3115.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_3115.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_3115.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1681855,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/08\/IMG_3115.jpg?itok=WSKTwXC9"}}},"media_ids":["680428","680431","680432","680433","680434"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690586":{"#nid":"690586","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Accenture Managing Director Conrad Grajczak Joins SCL Industry Advisory Board","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ESCL is pleased to announce the appointment of Conrad Grajczak to its Industry Advisory Board. Grajczak brings nearly 15 years of deep expertise at the intersection of procurement, supply chain logistics, and private equity value creation to the role.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGrajczak currently serves as a Managing Director in Accenture\u0027s Supply Chain \u0026amp; Engineering practice. He is a leader in the firm\u0027s Private Equity practice, where he advises operating partners on developing and executing high-impact value creation plans across their investment portfolios.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022We are thrilled to welcome Conrad to our Industry Advisory Board,\u0022 said SCL Managing Director Chris Gaffney. \u0022His extensive background as a management consultant specializing in margin improvement and cost reduction for private equity-backed companies will be invaluable. We look forward to leveraging his insights to drive our strategic initiatives forward.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EA Proven Track Record in Value Creation\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThroughout his career, Grajczak has partnered closely with Private Equity Operating Partners to deliver bottom-line value through strategic sourcing. He routinely leads pre-purchase and post-acquisition initiatives to establish a value creation roadmap and implement transformative cost programs across Consumer, Industrial, and Healthcare clients.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrior to Accenture, Grajczak was part of Insight Sourcing for 11 years and promoted to Partner. \u0026nbsp;Insight Sourcing was a boutique procurement consulting firm where he focused on Private Equity. \u0026nbsp;Insight Sourcing was acquired by Accenture in 2024.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore consulting, Grajczak started his career out at Merck \u0026amp; Co. in Vaccine Manufacturing Science and Commercialization. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EAcademic Credentials\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA proud Georgia Tech alumnus, Grajczak earned his B.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering with a minor in Business through the Technology \u0026amp; Management Program. He also holds an MBA from Emory University\u2019s Goizueta Business School.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMr. Grajczak brings nearly 15 years of deep expertise at the intersection of procurement, supply chain logistics, and private equity value creation to the role.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Mr. Grajczak brings nearly 15 years of deep expertise at the intersection of procurement, supply chain logistics, and private equity value creation to the role."}],"uid":"27233","created_gmt":"2026-06-01 20:12:09","changed_gmt":"2026-06-05 12:27:25","author":"Andy Haleblian","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-06-05T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-06-05T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680397":{"id":"680397","type":"image","title":"Conrad Grajczak","body":null,"created":"1780345464","gmt_created":"2026-06-01 20:24:24","changed":"1780345464","gmt_changed":"2026-06-01 20:24:24","alt":"Conrad Grajczak","file":{"fid":"264653","name":"ConradGrajczak.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/01\/ConradGrajczak.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/01\/ConradGrajczak.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":81370,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/01\/ConradGrajczak.jpg?itok=bgEL7oiz"}}},"media_ids":["680397"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/people\/industry-advisory-board","title":"SCL Industry Advisory Board Members"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/news-events\/newsletters","title":"View past SCL newsletters and join our mailing list"}],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"126331","name":"Advisory Board Member"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["info@scl.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690592":{"#nid":"690592","#data":{"type":"news","title":"ISyE Names 2026 Staff Award Winners","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWe are pleased to celebrate the 2026 H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering Staff Honor Award Winners:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcademic \u0026amp; Research IT Support Engineer \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/may-li\u0022\u003EMay Li\u003C\/a\u003E: Exceptional IT Support Professional. This award recognizes a staff member who has demonstrated exceptional job performance and\/or service to ISyE above and beyond the call of duty.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProgram Support Coordinator \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/rudy-paratchek\u0022\u003ERudy Paratchek\u003C\/a\u003E: Exceptional Administrative Staff. This award recognizes a staff member who has shown excellence in managing day-to-day administrative processes in ISyE. This can be related to any general administrative activity or to a staff member who has shown a proven track record of accomplishing daily activities at a high level.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcademic Advisor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/caroline-layton\u0022\u003ECaroline Layton\u003C\/a\u003E: Exceptional Process Improvement \u0026amp; Policy Leader. This award is presented to a staff member who has demonstrated a collaborative leadership style, created a positive work environment using appropriate leadership skills, designed and implemented a process improvement that increases compliance, reduces liability, or saves measurable time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcademic Program Manager II \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/harry-sharp\u0022\u003EHarry Sharp\u003C\/a\u003E: The Buzz Award (Going the Extra Mile Award). This award is presented quarterly and is to be alternated between a staff member who has gone above and beyond to help others in the ISyE community and achieve exceptional levels of performance in one or more areas of strategic focus.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEvents Coordinator II \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/monike-welch\u0022\u003EMonike Welch\u003C\/a\u003E: ISyE Service Award. This award is to be presented to a staff member who has benefitted ISyE,\u0026nbsp;profession, Georgia Tech, or the general public in an exemplary manner.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcademic Program Manager I \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/christian-gallie\u0022\u003EChristian Gallie\u003C\/a\u003E: Outstanding Student Academic Advising Award. This award is presented to staff who have demonstrated excellent student advising qualities. Displays strong, professional, and caring student support. Demonstrates mastery of institute policies and procedures. Provides accessibility, flexibility, leadership in advising\/mentoring, and has made a positive impact when it comes to student experience and helps support all-around student success. Their support is essential to student progress and retention.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe ISyE Staff Awards have been established to honor individuals or groups in three categories: administrative, leadership, and service excellence.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EWe are pleased to celebrate the 2026 H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering Staff Award Winners\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"We are pleased to celebrate the 2026 H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering Staff Award Winners"}],"uid":"36760","created_gmt":"2026-06-02 15:15:52","changed_gmt":"2026-06-02 15:21:49","author":"jsmith830","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-06-02T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-06-02T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680401":{"id":"680401","type":"image","title":"Congratulations to all our winners!","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECongratulations to all our winners!\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1780413363","gmt_created":"2026-06-02 15:16:03","changed":"1780413363","gmt_changed":"2026-06-02 15:16:03","alt":"Congratulations to all our winners!","file":{"fid":"264657","name":"GT-stacked_ISyE_4515_stacked-MERCH.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/02\/GT-stacked_ISyE_4515_stacked-MERCH.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/02\/GT-stacked_ISyE_4515_stacked-MERCH.png","mime":"image\/png","size":48204,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/02\/GT-stacked_ISyE_4515_stacked-MERCH.png?itok=LVPCbB0T"}},"680402":{"id":"680402","type":"image","title":"2026 ISyE Staff Award Winners.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003E2026 ISyE Staff Award Winners\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1780413506","gmt_created":"2026-06-02 15:18:26","changed":"1780413506","gmt_changed":"2026-06-02 15:18:26","alt":"2026 ISyE Staff Award Winners","file":{"fid":"264658","name":"ISyE-Staff-Award-Winners.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/02\/ISyE-Staff-Award-Winners.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/06\/02\/ISyE-Staff-Award-Winners.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":280622,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/06\/02\/ISyE-Staff-Award-Winners.jpg?itok=KdDFoJJw"}}},"media_ids":["680401","680402"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"42911","name":"Education"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690519":{"#nid":"690519","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Professor Debankur Receives ISyE Outstanding Mid-Career\/Senior Teaching Award","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/debankur-mukherjee\u0022\u003EProfessor Debankur Mukherjee\u003C\/a\u003E has received the ISyE Outstanding Mid-Career\/Senior Teaching Award in recognition of his sustained contributions to teaching and student learning across both undergraduate and graduate education in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMukherjee teaches a broad range of courses in applied probability and stochastic processes, including foundational undergraduate courses as well as advanced graduate topics. His teaching is widely recognized for combining mathematical rigor with accessibility, helping students engage deeply with technically challenging material while building confidence and long-term interest in the subject.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA central aspect of Mukherjee\u2019s teaching is careful course design and the development of structured learning materials. For \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/courses\/isye2027.pdf\u0022\u003EISYE 2027 (Probability with Applications)\u003C\/a\u003E, one of the foundational courses taken by ISyE students, he developed an extensive set of lecture notes over the course of more than a year. The notes, which are freely available to students, effectively function as a full textbook and are now used by multiple instructors within the school.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhile there are many resources available for introductory probability, I felt that most of them did not strike the right balance between mathematical rigor, detailed explanations, and real-world examples that our students can genuinely relate to,\u201d said Mukherjee. \u201cMy goal was to create a self-contained resource that students could continue to use well beyond a single semester.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents frequently highlight the clarity and organization of both the lectures and course materials. In course feedback and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ctl.gatech.edu\/thank-teacher\/\u0022\u003EThank-a-Teacher\u003C\/a\u003E notes, students described the lecture notes as \u201cthe most informative\u201d part of the course and praised the lectures for making difficult concepts approachable. One student wrote that the course \u201ccompletely changed\u201d their attitude toward the subject, while another described the lectures as \u201clike a mathematical story.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMukherjee\u2019s teaching philosophy emphasizes student-centered learning, interactive classroom engagement, and strong individual support. He actively incorporates discussion into lectures, adapts pacing based on student feedback, and designs assignments that encourage independent thinking rather than purely mechanical problem solving.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe most exciting part of teaching for me is interacting with students,\u201d Mukherjee said. \u201cThose interactions constantly give me new perspectives and help me evolve my teaching. I enjoy connecting fundamental ideas in probability with modern topics students care about today, while also showing them the timeless principles that continue to drive the field.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn graduate instruction, Mukherjee has also worked to connect theoretical concepts with modern applications. In\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/syllabus.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-04\/Syllabus_32.pdf\u0022\u003E ISYE 6762 (Stochastic Processes II)\u003C\/a\u003E, he introduced data-driven projects designed to bridge abstract mathematical ideas with contemporary applications, helping students develop both intuition and technical depth.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudent evaluations across multiple semesters consistently highlight clarity of instruction, enthusiasm, accessibility outside class, and strong learning outcomes. Students frequently praise his ability to translate \u201ccomplex formulas into understandable real-world examples,\u201d as well as the welcoming classroom environment that encourages questions and discussion.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMukherjee has also received several Thank-a-Teacher recognitions from students over the years, reflecting the lasting impact of his teaching both inside and outside the classroom.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Debankur Mukherjee has received the ISyE Outstanding Mid-Career\/Senior Teaching Award in recognition of his sustained contributions to teaching and student learning\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Professor Debankur Mukherjee has received the ISyE Outstanding Mid-Career\/Senior Teaching Award in recognition of his sustained contributions to teaching and student learning "}],"uid":"36760","created_gmt":"2026-05-27 18:35:06","changed_gmt":"2026-05-27 18:45:12","author":"jsmith830","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-05-27T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-05-27T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680363":{"id":"680363","type":"image","title":"Professor Debankur Mukherjee ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EProfessor Debankur Mukherjee\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1779906916","gmt_created":"2026-05-27 18:35:16","changed":"1779906916","gmt_changed":"2026-05-27 18:35:16","alt":"Professor Debankur Mukherjee ","file":{"fid":"264619","name":"headshot---new-2-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/27\/headshot---new-2-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/27\/headshot---new-2-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2206233,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/27\/headshot---new-2-.jpg?itok=o7EmODbn"}}},"media_ids":["680363"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"42911","name":"Education"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690140":{"#nid":"690140","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Undergraduate Students Better Campus Through Senior Design Projects","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThirty-two senior design teams from the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, representing the largest cohort ever in a single semester, presented their capstone project at the Capstone Design Expo on April 28. These projects finalized years of undergraduate study in industrial engineering and mark the final milestone for students as they prepare to graduate from the school.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorking in teams of six to eight, students are responsible for identifying industry clients and spending the semester developing data-driven solutions. This semester, teams collaborated with organizations such as American Airlines and Wellstar Health Systems to address pressing logistical, procedural, and forecasting challenges, delivering analyses and recommendations designed to drive measurable improvements.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile most teams work with external partners, several this semester chose to assist clients across Georgia Tech\u2019s campus. Like many complex organizations, the Institute encompasses dozens of divisions and departments that work to improve their processes in support of its broader educational mission. This semester, three teams focused their capstone work on strengthening operational functions across the Institute to deliver solutions designed to create lasting impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdvising Designed with Students in Mind (Team Lean on Me)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETeam Lean on Me worked with Academic Success \u0026amp; Advising to improve the current advising system for students across campus. Team members Ansley Nguyen, Josh Raug, Julianne Latimer, Noah Koh, Shivani Murugapiran, Surya Rangaswamy, Thien-An (Amy) Dang, and Wyatt Stephens wanted to make the current advising system more proactive so that advisors can connect with students who have expressed interest in specific advising goals, such as major exploration or pre-graduate advising.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing anonymized data from the current advising platform, Navigate360, the team implemented various tools they had learned as undergraduate students. They forecast advising demand to help advisors better understand when they need to have advising opportunities available and when they should reach out to students who are not normally involved in the advising program. The team also used simulation and optimization techniques to understand how to schedule and plan advisors\u2019 time to better meet students\u2019 needs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey also developed an AI chatbot that can respond to basic student inquiries, giving advisors more time to either proactively reach out to students or take more exploratory appointments. They predict that chatbots will save 603 advising hours in basic inquiry appointments per semester.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir process also included getting feedback from current students about how advising is working for them and learning more about how the Institute operates, a unique lesson that goes beyond what students can learn in a classroom.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBeing on a very student-facing side has allowed us to learn a lot of perspectives. I\u0027ve gone through four years at Georgia Tech not really knowing that much about the School of Architecture, or Aerospace, \u2026but being on the side of surveying people, tabling, hearing from students themselves, what they want has really informed me about what our school has been like in ways that I would have never been exposed to otherwise,\u201d Dang said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn all, they expect their innovations to double the percentage of students captured by the advising system from 4.3 percent to about 8.6 percent while only increasing advisor workload by 3.2 percent, giving more students the opportunity to explore their futures with an advisor.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFirst-Year Registration, Re-imagined (Team FASET Your SEATbelts)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETeam FASET Your SEATbelts worked with Georgia Tech\u2019s Registrar\u2019s Office to improve how first-year students register for classes during FASET \u2014 the Institute\u2019s student orientation program. A key focus of the program was reducing the number of students who leave FASET unable to register for a full-time course load of 12 credit hours.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs former incoming students themselves, team members Alexis Almeida, Claire Wu, Irene Chang, Madeline Sanders, Mahathi Manikandan, Shaan Patel, Zach Thomas, and Zarah Khan were keenly aware of the challenges students can face when registering for classes for the first time. Failing to register for enough credit hours or enroll in the correct classes can jeopardize scholarships and, in some cases, delay graduation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Registrar\u2019s Office was able to provide them with detailed data about registration, including student schedules immediately after their FASET registration, final schedules after Phase II registration, selected major, and incoming AP credits. The team also has access to the types of students who will attend each FASET session.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsing this data, they created a demand model to predict how many seats students will seek in a given class on a given FASET day, based on the number of different types of students attending that day. This information will assist managers in the Registrar\u2019s Office in deciding how many seats to allocate to which classes for each FASET session and in ensuring that students find the classes they need on the day.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike any project, the team encountered challenges along the way. Team member Madeline Sanders explained that she didn\u2019t feel they were leveraging each member\u2019s strengths, but a recent shift in approach led to better collaboration and results. After overcoming their challenges and taking on new experiences, she said she gained important lessons from her work this semester.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI feel that out of all the projects I\u0027ve done at Georgia Tech, this has taught me the most. I think I\u2019ve learned a lot about working with a team and also working with a client because we have a lot of different stakeholders,\u201d Sanders said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir solution incorporated the dynamic release of seats in Freshman courses and improved scheduling around AP test score results. They simulated their new process to estimate how it will impact students if implemented this coming summer. Using the allocations that FASET Your SEATbelts suggested decreased the number of students who left their FASET session without registering for 12 credit hours from 33 percent to 7 percent. The spread between the most successful and least successful FASET sessions in registering for 12 credit hours dropped by 36 percentage points in their simulation, indicating that their allocation would be fairer for students regardless of when their FASET session is scheduled.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEngineering a Better Game Day Experience (Team Linebackers)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech, innovation on the football field doesn\u2019t stop during the off-season. The Linebackers\u0026nbsp;team \u2014\u0026nbsp;Carson Veal, Harrison Preston, Jedidiah (J.D.) Cheng, Julian Varga, Lauren McDonald, Sophia Hawkins, Wade Chappell, and William Wyatt \u2014\u0026nbsp;worked with the Georgia Tech Athletic Association to improve the function of the Yellow Jackets\u2019 Bobby Dodd Stadium on game day. Their project tackled three critical areas that shape the fan experience, such as stadium ingress and concessions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen large numbers of fans arrive at the same time, long entry lines can form, which not only diminishes the fan experience and, if left unmanaged, raising safety concerns. To address these ingress challenges, the team analyzed ticket-scanning data to reassess where staffing and resources could be more effectively allocated to keep the lines moving.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne bottleneck they identified was slowdowns caused by scanning individual mobile tickets. To increase throughput, the team is looking into ways that would allow a single scan of a group of tickets purchased together, streamlining entry while maintaining security. They expect this one change to reduce the time that entrants have to wait from 19 minutes to 9 minutes during peak times.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConcessions are an integral part of the game-day experience, and fans expect to find their favorite items in stock when they look for refreshments or food. Linebackers had access to concession purchase data, which they used to track where guests went when they wanted certain types of refreshments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey used this data to determine when stands ran out of items and which stands were most successful, to improve the restocking schedule. Based on simulations, their improved restocking schedule decreased the maximum wait time for concessions by 4 minutes and reduced stockouts by 94 percent.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThroughout the project, they relied on the methods they were taught in class to analyze the current system and suggest improvements. They developed forecasting models to predict concession demand, optimization models to recommend resource allocation for ticketing, and a simulation model during the initial phases of their parking design.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs football fans themselves, they said they found it rewarding to work on a project that improved the experience for fellow fans, and they also found career growth along the way.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201c[We learned] to deal with incomplete data, to figure out how to find recommendations, and how to work with that data or missing data. And how to adapt to change and pivot from one solution that you thought would be great. And then realizing as you get further along that that\u0027s just not feasible,\u201d McDonald said. \u201cYou don\u0027t have everything laid out for you perfectly. And I think those are two of the bigger soft skills we\u0027ve learned from this project. That we would definitely take to our careers.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThis semester\u2019s ISyE Senior Design teams applied industrial engineering expertise to solve real\u2011world challenges, from improving student registration and campus operations to enhancing the game\u2011day experience at Bobby Dodd Stadium.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"This semester\u2019s ISyE Senior Design teams applied industrial engineering expertise to solve real\u2011world challenges, from improving student registration and campus operations to enhancing the game\u2011day experience at Bobby Dodd Stadium."}],"uid":"36835","created_gmt":"2026-05-05 17:06:14","changed_gmt":"2026-05-22 17:48:44","author":"pavery9","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-05-05T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-05-05T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680341":{"id":"680341","type":"image","title":"Team Linebackers: Georgia Tech Athletic Association (GTAA)","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETeam Linebackers: Georgia Tech Athletic Association (GTAA)\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1779470733","gmt_created":"2026-05-22 17:25:33","changed":"1779470733","gmt_changed":"2026-05-22 17:25:33","alt":"Team Linebackers: Georgia Tech Athletic Association (GTAA)","file":{"fid":"264589","name":"Unknown.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/22\/Unknown.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/22\/Unknown.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1002938,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/22\/Unknown.jpeg?itok=KdtWem0C"}},"680339":{"id":"680339","type":"image","title":"Team Buzz on the Beach","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETeam VayKLife Route and Capacity Optimization: Buzz on the Beach\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1779470733","gmt_created":"2026-05-22 17:25:33","changed":"1779470733","gmt_changed":"2026-05-22 17:25:33","alt":"Team VayKLife Route and Capacity Optimization: Buzz on the Beach","file":{"fid":"264587","name":"IMG_1761.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/22\/IMG_1761.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/22\/IMG_1761.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3533515,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/22\/IMG_1761.jpg?itok=33P1f4Cg"}},"680340":{"id":"680340","type":"image","title":"Team Improving First-Year Registration: FASSET Your SEATbelts","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETeam Improving First-Year Registration: FASSET Your SEATbelts\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1779470733","gmt_created":"2026-05-22 17:25:33","changed":"1779470733","gmt_changed":"2026-05-22 17:25:33","alt":"Team Improving First-Year Registration: FASSET Your SEATbelts","file":{"fid":"264588","name":"Team-18-GTRegister.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/22\/Team-18-GTRegister.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/22\/Team-18-GTRegister.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":4436775,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/22\/Team-18-GTRegister.jpg?itok=FBJe3N62"}},"680342":{"id":"680342","type":"image","title":"Team Lean on Me: Georgia Tech\u2019s Academic Success \u0026 Advising (ASA) ","body":"\u003Cp\u003ETeam Lean on Me: Georgia Tech\u2019s Academic Success \u0026amp; Advising (ASA)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1779472068","gmt_created":"2026-05-22 17:47:48","changed":"1779472068","gmt_changed":"2026-05-22 17:47:48","alt":"Team Lean on Me: Georgia Tech\u2019s Academic Success \u0026 Advising (ASA) ","file":{"fid":"264590","name":"IMG_8715.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/22\/IMG_8715.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/22\/IMG_8715.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2703625,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/22\/IMG_8715.jpg?itok=IeV22fw1"}}},"media_ids":["680341","680339","680340","680342"],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"193234","name":"Campaign Stories"}],"keywords":[{"id":"9278","name":"ISyE Senior Design"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EParker Avery, Student Writing Assistant\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690275":{"#nid":"690275","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Joel Sokol Recognized with Outstanding Lifetime Learning Award","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/joel-sokol\u0022\u003EJoel Sokol\u003C\/a\u003E, Harold E. Smalley Professor in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE)\u003C\/a\u003E, has been awarded Georgia Tech\u2019s Outstanding Lifetime Learning Award.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe annual honor recognizes one faculty member for their excellence in expanding access to learning and creating meaningful educational experiences for global audiences.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESokol was honored for his sustained and impactful contributions to education at scale, highlighting his development and leadership of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pe.gatech.edu\/degrees\/analytics\u0022\u003EOnline Master of Science in Analytics (OMSA) \u003C\/a\u003Eprogram.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince launching in 2017, OMSA has graduated more than 6,900 students and reaches learners from more than 140 countries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe program serves a wide range of students, from early-career professionals to senior leaders and individuals pursuing new career paths, bringing analytics education to those who would not otherwise have access. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOSMA combines flexibility with rigor, integrating interdisciplinary content with large-scale, project-based learning. Its capstone experience connects hundreds of students each semester with companies and organizations, enabling them to apply analytics to practical challenges in diverse settings.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0022It\u0027s particularly rewarding, because OMSA has been able to impact so many students of all ages and backgrounds around the world, as well as all of the employers they apply their learning for,\u0022 said Professor Sokol, who has also won the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.euro-online.org\/web\/pages\/612\/previous-winners\u0022\u003EEURO Management Science Strategic Innovation Prize\u003C\/a\u003E and twice been named to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cdomagazine.tech\/others\/cdo-magazine-announces-its-2021-list-of-leading-academic-data-leaders\u0022\u003EChief Data Officer Magazine\u0027s list of Academic Data Leaders\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOSMA courses have reached tens of thousands of learners and consistently receive strong student feedback, demonstrating that high-quality instruction can be sustained even at very large scale.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond OMSA, Sokol has extended Georgia Tech\u2019s\u0026nbsp;impact through additional initiatives in professional and\u0026nbsp;online\u0026nbsp;education, as well as new program development across degree and non-degree offerings. His work reflects a broader commitment to making analytics and optimization accessible to learners at all stages of their careers.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Joel Sokol, Harold E. Smalley Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE), has been awarded Georgia Tech\u2019s Outstanding Lifetime Learning Award. "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJoel Sokol, Harold E. Smalley Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE), has been awarded Georgia Tech\u2019s Outstanding Lifetime Learning Award.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Joel Sokol, Harold E. Smalley Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE), has been awarded Georgia Tech\u2019s Outstanding Lifetime Learning Award. "}],"uid":"36760","created_gmt":"2026-05-13 20:10:39","changed_gmt":"2026-05-21 12:43:00","author":"jsmith830","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-05-13T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-05-13T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680280":{"id":"680280","type":"image","title":"Joel Sokol Recognized with Outstanding Lifetime Learning Award","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EJoel Sokol Recognized with Outstanding Lifetime Learning Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1778703051","gmt_created":"2026-05-13 20:10:51","changed":"1778703051","gmt_changed":"2026-05-13 20:10:51","alt":"Joel Sokol Recognized with Outstanding Lifetime Learning Award","file":{"fid":"264526","name":"Joel-Award.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/13\/Joel-Award.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/13\/Joel-Award.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3347308,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/13\/Joel-Award.jpg?itok=ncUxim9y"}}},"media_ids":["680280"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/cos.gatech.edu\/news\/outstanding-employees-honored-annual-luncheon","title":"Outstanding Employees Honored at Annual Luncheon"}],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690264":{"#nid":"690264","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Celebrating Excellence at the ISyE Senior Design Finalists\u2019 Luncheon\u00a0\u00a0","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFollowing the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/news\/senior-design-teams-showcase-projects-expo-contact-point-win-isye-prize\u0022\u003ESpring 2026 Capstone Design Expo\u003C\/a\u003E, a select group of teams gathered once more on May 5th for the Senior Design Finalists\u2019 Luncheon, an event celebrating the projects that stood out for their technical depth, creativity, and real-world impact.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents began arriving around 11 a.m., filling the ISyE main atrium with conversation and excitement. Teams enjoyed lunch together while catching up with advisors, clients, faculty members, and representatives from industry partners. Project posters lined the space, giving attendees a chance to walk through the semester\u0027s work and explore the wide range of challenges tackled by ISyE students.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe atmosphere felt equal parts celebration and reflection; students exchanged stories about long nights spent debugging models, clients discussed implementation possibilities with teams, and faculty and industry guests stopped to ask questions or to congratulate students.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe energy was fitting. This semester\u0027s cohort was the largest in recent memory, and an exceptional number of outstanding projects made the selection process particularly competitive. ISyE recognized work across three categories: Senior Design Finalists, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ks2inc.com\/\u0022\u003EKS2 Technologies\u003C\/a\u003E Design with Impact Award, and Senior Design Honorable Mentions, with a larger-than-usual number of teams honored in each.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAcross the full cohort of 31 teams, the collective value created this semester is striking. Projects delivered outcomes that include more than $51 million in cost savings, more than $19 million in increased revenue, more than $200K in profit increase, a doubling of the number of teachers served, dramatic improvements to GT first year course registration outcomes, kitting time reductions of 20-45%, doubled output in production environments, and inventory and annual cost reductions of 25% each,\u201d said ISyE Professor Emeritus and Senior Design Examiner \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/leon-mcginnis\u0022\u003ELeon McGinnis\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cNo two projects tackled the same problem, and that range of impact reflects the breadth of what ISyE students can do.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter lunch, ISyE Chair Dr. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/pinar-keskinocak\u0022\u003EPinar Keskinocak\u003C\/a\u003E opened the event with warm remarks, welcoming attendees and celebrating the students\u0027 accomplishments before turning to Senior Lecturer \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/ying-li\u0022\u003ELaura Li\u003C\/a\u003E to introduce the finalist presentations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECategory 1: Senior Design Finalists\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeing selected as a Senior Design finalist represents one of the highest honors in the ISyE capstone program. Finalist teams are evaluated by faculty members and corporate experts, and they are chosen based on a combination of project challenge, technical rigor, presentation quality, innovation, and the measurable impact of their solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAA Flight Dispatcher Scheduling\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorking with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.aa.com\/homePage.do\u0022\u003EAmerican Airlines\u003C\/a\u003E, this team developed an optimization model to improve dispatcher scheduling across multiple regions and shifts. Their model balanced millions of variables and constraints simultaneously to reduce understaffing, improve shift coverage, and increase overall operational efficiency\u2014delivering a tool that American Airlines can integrate directly into scheduling workflows.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETeam members:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/amanda-ehrenhalt-41938723a\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAmanda Ehrenhalt\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/colin-fravel\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EColin Fravel\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/alexisfrith\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAlexis Frith\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/munotsehaj\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESehaj Munot\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/christopher-schulte-a87532253\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EChristopher Schulte\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/sahanay\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESahana Yerneni\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/csyetukuri\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EChaitanya Sri Yetukuri\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClient Sponsor:\u003C\/strong\u003E Analytics Manager, Data Scientist, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/samuel-gonzalez\/\u0022\u003ESamuel Rodriguez-Gonzalez\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFaculty Advisor: \u003C\/strong\u003EAssociate Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/mathieu-dahan\u0022\u003EMathieu Dahan\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EImproving First-Year Registration: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/registrar.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGeorgia Tech Office of the Registrar\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E - Winner\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPartnered with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/consulting.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s Strategic Consulting \u003C\/a\u003Eand the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/registrar.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EOffice of the Registrar\u003C\/a\u003E, this team focused on improving registration outcomes for incoming first-year students. Among their key recommendations was an \u201cAP reserve\u201d system designed to better support students awaiting Advanced Placement credit determinations while still allowing them to register for the right courses, reducing downstream schedule conflicts and improving placement accuracy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETeam members:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/alexis-almeida\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAlexis Almeida\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ireneychang26\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EIrene Chang\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zarah-khan880\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EZarah Khan\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mahathi-manikandan-377350217\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMahathi Manikandan\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/shaanpatel25\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EShaan Patel\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, Madeline \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/madelineksanders\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESanders\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zachary-thomas612\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EZach Thomas\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/claire-wu-983353293\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EClaire Wu\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClient Sponsor:\u003C\/strong\u003E Georgia Tech Senior Director of Academic Administration \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/andreweichel\/\u0022\u003EAndrew Eichel\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFaculty Advisor:\u003C\/strong\u003E Associate Chair \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/dima-nazzal\u0022\u003EDima Nazzal\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAluminum Production Scheduling Optimization - Novelis\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorking with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/novelis.com\/\u0022\u003ENovelis\u003C\/a\u003E, a global leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, this team developed solutions to reduce production scrap and improve manufacturing efficiency through process optimization. Their scheduling approach addressed complex interdependencies across production lines, providing Novelis with a more systematic framework for sequencing orders and reducing costly waste.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETeam members:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/nivi-dileep-7993a5251\/\u0022\u003ENivi Dileep\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/charliehill013\/\u0022\u003ECharles Hill\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/davis-mclanahan\/\u0022\u003EDavis McLanahan\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/myiesha-rahman-22ab51330\/\u0022\u003EMyiesha Rahman\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mahasiripurapu\/\u0022\u003EMahathi Siripurapu\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/martin-svobodkov\/\u0022\u003EMartin Svobodkov\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jasonwarner17\/\u0022\u003EJason Warner\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/peter-zagrobelny\/\u0022\u003EPeter Zagrobelny\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClient Sponsor: \u003C\/strong\u003ENovelis Supply Chain Senior Manager \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jamesprainojr\/\u0022\u003EJames Praino\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFaculty Advisor:\u003C\/strong\u003E Associate Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mathieudahan\/\u0022\u003EMathieu Dahan\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVayKLife Route and Capacity Optimization: VayKLife - Winner\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPartnered with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vayklife.com\/\u0022\u003EVayKLife\u003C\/a\u003E, this team optimized delivery routing and vehicle space utilization for beach rental equipment, helping the company reduce operational costs while maintaining high service levels during peak seasons. Their solution tackled a challenging last-mile logistics problem with significant variability in demand, product size, and delivery timing, producing routing recommendations that VayKLife can deploy in real operations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETeam members:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lillyaabye\/\u0022\u003ELilly Aabye\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jessa-brown014\/\u0022\u003EJessa Brown\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/willcraycraft\/\u0022\u003EWill Craycraft\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/tyler-estridge\/\u0022\u003ETyler Estridge\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lucy-fantz\/\u0022\u003ELucy Fantz\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/chance-odonnell-768537296\/\u0022\u003EChance O\u2019Donnell\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rohan-prabhuram-03643a262\/\u0022\u003ERohan Prabhuram\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClient Sponsors: \u003C\/strong\u003ESenior Logistics Analyst Matt Durigon and COO\/CTO, Managing Parter \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/erik-weston\/\u0022\u003EErik Weston\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFaculty Advisor:\u003C\/strong\u003E Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/alejandro-toriello\u0022\u003EAlejandro Toriello\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter deliberation, \u0022FASET Your SEATbelts\u0022 and \u0022Buzz on the Beach\u0022 were declared winners, each receiving a $1,500 award from ISyE. \u0022Shift Happens\u0022 and \u0022Complex Marriages\u0022 tackled large-scale problems with major corporations, American Airlines and Novelis respectively, and their solutions have the potential to generate tremendous operational impact. The margin between all four teams was exceptionally narrow.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhat stood out this semester was how consistently the finalist teams connected their methodology to measurable outcomes,\u201d said ISyE Senior Lecturer and Senior Design Team Examiner Laura Li. \u201cThese students didn\u2019t just build models, they demonstrated, with data, that their solutions work.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECategory 2: KS2 Technologies Design with Impact Award\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESponsored by KS2 Technologies, the Design with Impact Award recognizes outstanding Senior Design projects with a strong focus on implementation; projects that do not simply recommend solutions but demonstrate how those solutions can be put into practice to create measurable value for clients and communities. Each winning team received a $1,250 award from KS2 Technologies.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClaims Concierge Process Improvement - Claims Concierge Inc.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorking with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.claimsconcierge.io\/\u0022\u003EClaims Concierge Inc.\u003C\/a\u003E, this team analyzed and redesigned key workflows within the company\u2019s claims processing operations to reduce cycle time, improve throughput, and increase consistency. Their process improvement recommendations were grounded in detailed data analysis and structured for immediate implementation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETeam members:\u003C\/strong\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/shyrel-bentata\/\u0022\u003ESylvia Shyrel Bentata\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lauryncarter\/\u0022\u003ELauryn Carter\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/qhoward3\/\u0022\u003EQuincy Howard\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/nevinjiang1\/\u0022\u003ENevin Jiang\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/octavio-plate-zelaschi-85b889240\/\u0022\u003EOctavio Plate\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/catalina-segura-vargas\u0022\u003ECatalina Segura Vargas\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/matiastorres1\/\u0022\u003EMatias Torres\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rasin-vasaya\/\u0022\u003ERasin Vasaya\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClient Sponsor:\u003C\/strong\u003E Co-Founder and COO \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ariel-oken-4a2b4227\/\u0022\u003EAriel Oken\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFaculty Advisor: \u003C\/strong\u003EProfessor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/nicoleta-serban\u0022\u003ENicoleta Serban\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENow You See Us - Elevate Solutions Group\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPartnered with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.esgworks.com\/\u0022\u003EElevated Solutions Group\u003C\/a\u003E, this team redesigned the client\u0027s multi-person assembly line into an innovative single-assembler model, eliminating double handling, decreasing interdependency between employees, and speeding up the material flows.\u202f The implementation of the new system was done at a very low cost and is expected to save over $120K annually.\u202f\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETeam members: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/saba-ansari-a46570130\/\u0022\u003ESaba Ansari Mohseni\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/justin-collins-1b0448254\/\u0022\u003EJustin Collins\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/pardha-kanchiraju\/\u0022\u003EPardha Collins\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/skyler-malmberg\/\u0022\u003ESkyler Malmberg\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/hannah-mathew-\/\u0022\u003EHannah Mathew\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/visakhi-miriyapalli\/\u0022\u003EVisakhi Miriyapalli\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/nicholasnist\/\u0022\u003ENicholas Nist\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/esha-pentakota\/\u0022\u003EEsha Pentakota\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClient Sponsor: \u003C\/strong\u003EGeneral Manager\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/paullarate\/\u0022\u003EPaul Larate\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFaculty Advisor: \u003C\/strong\u003EAssociate Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/anton-kleywegt\u0022\u003EAnton Kleywegt\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe presentations also featured some memorable moments, including one especially energetic presentation from KS2 Technologies Design with Impact Award-winner \u201cClaim to Fame\u201d opening with a surprising \u201cBAM! Car accident!\u201d, a moment that immediately startled the room and drew laughs from the audience.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECategory 3: Senior Design Honorable Mentions\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHonorable Mention teams were strong contenders for finalist recognition; projects distinguished by their analytical depth, quality of execution, and value to their clients.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPitching the Perfect Promotions - Atlanta Braves Marketing\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorking with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.mlb.com\/braves\u0022\u003EAtlanta Braves\u003C\/a\u003E marketing team, this group developed a data-driven framework for evaluating promotional strategies and their impact on game attendance. Their analysis helped the Braves better understand which promotions drive incremental attendance versus those that attract fans who would attend regardless, enabling smarter, more targeted marketing investments.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETeam members: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/nadia-bozeman\/\u0022\u003ENadia Bozeman\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/joshua-canlas\/\u0022\u003EJoshua Canlas\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/johncellitti\/\u0022\u003EJohn Cellitti\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/viviantranchung\/\u0022\u003EVivian Chung\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/sarah-copeland-092634193\/\u0022\u003ESarah Copeland\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/katie-hamfeldt\/\u0022\u003EKatie Hamfeldt\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/avinash-haritsa\/\u0022\u003EAvinash Haritsa\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/curran-mitra\/\u0022\u003ECurran Mitra\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClient Sponsor:\u003C\/strong\u003E Atlanta Braves Director of Platforms and Applications \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/paul-lupcke-a3031b19\/\u0022\u003EPaul Lupcke\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFaculty Advisor:\u003C\/strong\u003E Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/craig-tovey\u0022\u003ECraig Tovey\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EImproving Operations at Wellstar\u2019s Consolidated Service Center - Wellstar Health System\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPartnered with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.wellstar.org\/?gclsrc=aw.ds\u0026amp;\u0026amp;gad_source=1\u0026amp;gad_campaignid=9155163825\u0026amp;gbraid=0AAAAADqPw5krl0i5wkSAH_PaPw3UW25FM\u0026amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwwpDQBhAuEiwAa-4Woxsb3kWVVs0mi1-VUx5oelR7x9DYl2fXaUWtarU-OmsDZg5XLDAHZBoCdD8QAvD_BwE\u0022\u003EWellstar Health System\u003C\/a\u003E, this team redesigned Wellstar\u2019s Consolidated Service Center into a system capable of absorbing future growth while controlling costs and maintaining service levels through re-slotting across the different pick zones and staffing improvements.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETeam members: \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ejbaw\/\u0022\u003EEric Baw\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/aron-cheng\/\u0022\u003EAron Cheng\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mackenzie-hulsey\/\u0022\u003EMackenzie Hulsey\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/sujangk\/\u0022\u003ESujan Ganesh Kumar\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/junwon-min\u0022\u003EJunwon Min\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/alka-rao13\/\u0022\u003EAlka Rao\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/nano-suresettakul\/\u0022\u003ENano Suresettakul\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/patrick-tangente\/\u0022\u003EPatrick Tangente\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EClient Sponsor:\u003C\/strong\u003E Executive Director \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/adam-flood-335190b4\/\u0022\u003EAdam Flood\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFaculty Advisor:\u003C\/strong\u003E Associate Professor (Retired) \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/gunter-sharp\u0022\u003EGunter Sharp\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe eight recognized projects were just a slice of a remarkably diverse cohort.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe range of industries represented by this cohort, from airline operations to health systems to aluminum manufacturing, reflects the versatility of what ISyE students are trained to do,\u201d said ISyE Senior Lecturer and Senior Design Examiner \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/gamze-tokol-goldsman\u0022\u003EGamze Tokol-Goldsman\u003C\/a\u003E. \u201cThe quality across the board made this a genuinely difficult set of decisions.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the students, the luncheon marked the end of their capstone journey and the beginning of their transition into industry and future careers. 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the profession and the public. Her contributions reflect all three, through leadership in shared governance, education, and community engagement.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENazzal has had a central role in faculty governance as chair of the Faculty Executive Board (FEB), where she is currently serving her third term. In this elected role, she has helped guide faculty governance and collaborated with the GT Administration though a period of significant complexity in higher education, bringing a steady, thoughtful approach that builds trust across faculty and administration while advancing difficult but necessary conversations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI\u0027m deeply honored. The work that led to this\u0026nbsp;award\u0026nbsp;has been some of the most meaningful of my career, not because of any single project, but because of the people it connected me to: students, faculty and staff colleagues, and the broader community Georgia Tech serves,\u0022 said Nazzal. \u0022Receiving recognition from the Class of 1934 makes it feel especially significant.\u0022\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer leadership has extended to Institute-wide priorities, such as serving as Chair of the Georgia Tech Faculty Executive Board, Director of Education and Projects for the Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems, and service on the Georgia Tech Athletic Association Board of Trustees.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWithin ISyE, Nazzal has made lasting contributions to education. She founded the School\u2019s Cornerstone Design course and led the Senior Design program for seven years, overseeing large-scale experiential learning for hundreds of students annually. These efforts have strengthened how students connect theory to practice while maintaining a consistently high-quality learning experience.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer research and applied work extend this impact beyond campus, with contributions in public health and healthcare operations.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs Associate Chair, Nazzal provides strategic oversight of undergraduate and graduate education in one of the largest industrial engineering programs in the country, integrating curriculum, accreditation, and long-term planning.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAssociate Chair for Academic Administration Dima Nazzal is the recipient of Georgia Tech\u2019s 1934 Outstanding Service Award, one of the Institute\u2019s highest honors for sustained and impactful service.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Associate Chair for Academic Administration Dima Nazzal is the recipient of Georgia Tech\u2019s 1934 Outstanding Service Award, one of the Institute\u2019s highest honors for sustained and impactful service."}],"uid":"36760","created_gmt":"2026-05-12 19:20:32","changed_gmt":"2026-05-21 12:42:08","author":"jsmith830","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-05-12T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-05-12T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680261":{"id":"680261","type":"image","title":"Dima Nazzal with Class of 1934 Outstanding Service Award ","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAssociate Chair for Academic Administration Dima Nazzal receives Georgia Tech\u2019s 1934 Outstanding Service Award\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1778613643","gmt_created":"2026-05-12 19:20:43","changed":"1778613643","gmt_changed":"2026-05-12 19:20:43","alt":"Dima Nazzal recognized with Class of 1934 Outstanding Service Award ","file":{"fid":"264507","name":"Dima-Award.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/12\/Dima-Award.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/12\/Dima-Award.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":3510354,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/12\/Dima-Award.jpg?itok=B3mZLUK5"}}},"media_ids":["680261"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/24\/outstanding-employees-honored-annual-luncheon","title":"Outstanding Employees Honored at Annual Luncheon"}],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"132","name":"Institute Leadership"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39511","name":"Public Service, Leadership, and Policy"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJoshua Smith, Communications Officer II\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690227":{"#nid":"690227","#data":{"type":"news","title":"What the Public Discussion on Hormuz Is Still Getting Wrong","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe energy shock is already widely understood. What is not yet widely understood is what comes after it \u2014 and why a diplomatic deal, when it comes, will not be the end of the story.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/expert\/chris-gaffney\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EChris Gaffney\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E, Managing Director of the Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute and a former Vice President of Global Strategic Supply Chain at The Coca-Cola Company.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThree weeks ago, I started hearing from contacts in my network. Senior supply chain executives, people who have managed through COVID and the Suez Canal blockage, were expressing concern. The kind of concern that doesn\u2019t make it into earnings calls or press releases. The kind that shows up in private conversations between people who actually move goods around the world for a living.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir worry wasn\u0027t about crude oil prices. Crude oil prices are now widely discussed. Their worry was about what happens after crude oil prices. About the plastic in your water bottle, the fertilizer going into this year\u0027s corn crop, the engine oil in your car, the polyester in your running shoes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThose conversations sent me back to the data. The geopolitical crisis and the energy shock are now well-documented in mainstream reporting. What is less discussed and what my conversations with experienced practitioners suggested was being systematically underestimated is the operational cascade downstream of that energy shock. \u003Cstrong\u003EI wanted to answer a specific question: given that the Strait has been effectively closed since February 28, what aspects of the downstream impact are already locked in regardless of a diplomatic solution, and what is still unfolding?\u003C\/strong\u003E Could I use publicly available data, straightforward analytical tools, and accessible modeling to produce a defensible, quantified view of that question?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe answer, after several weeks of work, is yes. And what the analysis shows is more operationally significant than most of the public commentary has yet captured.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EStart with what is already true.\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.iea.org\/\u0022\u003EInternational Energy Agency\u003C\/a\u003E (IEA) has characterized this as what it describes as one of the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. Flows through the Strait fell from roughly 20 million barrels per day before the conflict to low single-digit levels in March and early April. Asian crude stocks dropped 31 million barrels in March alone, with further declines expected through April. Global refinery runs in Asia were cut by around 6 million barrels per day. Middle distillate prices in Singapore hit all-time highs.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut energy prices, as alarming as they are, are the visible part of this problem. The less visible part is what those commodities become.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Naphtha\u0022\u003ENaphtha\u003C\/a\u003E, a petroleum derivative most people have never heard of, is the feedstock for the polyester in your clothing, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Polyethylene_terephthalate\u0022\u003Epolyethylene terephthalate\u003C\/a\u003E (PET) in your water bottle, the polypropylene in your food packaging, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Polyvinyl_chloride\u0022\u003Epolyvinyl chloride\u003C\/a\u003E (PVC) in your plumbing. Roughly 80 percent of the naphtha imported into Asia comes from the Middle East. South Korean petrochemical plants were running at 60 to 70 percent of capacity by late April. Japanese crackers at 65 to 75 percent. The IEA confirmed it in plain language: Asian petrochemical plants curtailed operating rates as feedstock supply dried up.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Liquefied_petroleum_gas\u0022\u003ELiquefied petroleum gas\u003C\/a\u003E (LPG) is the cooking gas that 60 percent of Indian households depend on for daily meals and was the first fuel to be rationed. Queues formed as deliveries were delayed. This reflected physical supply constraints alongside severe price pressure.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFertilizer prices hit 49 percent above last year\u0027s levels by April, according to \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.dtn.com\/\u0022\u003EDTN\u003C\/a\u003E data. Corn planting intentions dropped 3.5 percent. The math on that is straightforward: the food prices that result from this spring\u2019s planting decisions will show up at the grocery store in 2027. The disruption has a long tail, and most of that tail is still ahead of us.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe question isn\u2019t whether this will affect what you pay for everyday goods. It already is. The question is how far the cascade goes and how long it lasts.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHere is what the modeling shows.\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWorking from publicly available IEA, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.eia.gov\u0022\u003EU.S. Energy Information Administration\u003C\/a\u003E (EIA), and commodity price data, I built a scenario model that tracks 12 commodity-region pairs through a 300-day simulation horizon. I then ran that model over 1,500 times with slightly varying assumptions to produce a range of outcomes rather than a single point estimate. That range is more honest than a single number, because the genuine uncertainty in this situation deserves to be represented.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EThree findings stand out.\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFirst\u003C\/strong\u003E: a diplomatic deal today would be unlikely to quickly reverse what has already happened. This is the finding that surprised me most, and it held across almost every simulation. The high-import-dependency commodities have already depleted enough inventory that functional shortage is already embedded in the near-term outlook regardless of when the Strait reopens. The diplomatic question determines how long the pain lasts and how severe the recovery will be. For consumers, this means the effects may show up long after the headlines fade through higher prices, product shortages, and delays in everything from clothing and packaging to fertilizer-dependent food production.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESecond\u003C\/strong\u003E: Europe\u0027s most visible supply chain story, airlines canceling flights, is a price story, not a physical shortage story. The IEA documents approximately six weeks of European jet fuel supply. Airlines are grounding aircraft because fuel has doubled in price, not because airports are running dry. Meanwhile, Asian petrochemical plants are curtailing because feedstock physically stopped arriving. These two situations look similar in the headlines. They require completely different responses. For consumers, the difference matters because one problem mainly makes travel and goods more expensive, while the other can interrupt the actual production of the products modern life depends on.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThird\u003C\/strong\u003E: the recovery will be harder and longer than most public commentary assumes. S\u0026amp;P Global estimates five weeks to seven months for full supply normalization after a reopening, depending on infrastructure damage. Mine clearance alone requires 60 to 90 days of sustained operations before commercial vessels can transit safely. Insurance premiums will not normalize until underwriters see months of safe transit. And when supply does restart, suppressed demand returns simultaneously with a supply base that is still rebuilding. The EIA\u0027s 2027 demand forecast of 1.6 million barrels per day growth (nearly three times the depressed 2026 rate) makes this concrete. We have seen this pattern before. COVID demonstrated it at scale. The bullwhip effect, applied to a supply-side energy shock, produces a second dislocation on the back side of the crisis.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat this means for your grocery bill, your gas tank, and your business.\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe analysis maps 36 supply chain pathways from raw commodity to consumer shelf across 15 product categories. Here are three examples that are or will be visible to you.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETake construction materials. PVC pipe, insulation, and window profiles all begin with petrochemical feedstocks moving through the Gulf region. PVC resin prices in India rose nearly 80 percent in March. Since PVC pipe is largely PVC resin, the pass-through to construction costs is immediate and difficult to absorb. The result is likely to show up in higher prices for building materials, repairs, and infrastructure projects long before most consumers connect the cause.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe same pattern is unfolding in synthetic motor oil. Shell\u0027s Pearl Gas-to-Liquid facility in Qatar \u2014 one of the world\u0027s most important sources of premium Group III base oil \u2014 was taken offline by missile strikes. Producers in Bahrain and the UAE have declared force majeure. Roughly 40 percent of global Group III supply is now offline or unable to ship. For consumers, that eventually means higher oil-change costs, more expensive industrial lubricants, and added operating costs moving quietly through trucking, aviation, manufacturing, and delivery networks.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFood arrives later, but it arrives. Fertilizer prices are already sharply elevated, and planting decisions are being made right now under those conditions. The agricultural calendar creates a lag most consumers do not see. Disruptions this spring can become higher grocery prices many months from now. That is not speculation. It is simply how agricultural supply chains work.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWe tend to underestimate the breadth and duration of these events while they are happening, and overestimate how quickly things return to normal after they appear to resolve.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat we did, and why it matters how we did it.\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEvery number in this analysis traces to a cited source. Where data was insufficient and judgment was required, those judgment calls are labeled as such. The model is not a black box. It is a documented, reproducible simulation that any researcher can run independently.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI also used AI \u2014 specifically Claude by Anthropic \u2014 as a partner to help analyze and build this work. While I provided the analytical framework, the practitioner judgments, and the validation of assumptions, the AI assisted with drafting, building models, computation, and data synthesis. This collaboration is fully detailed in the paper.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis represents a new way of performing analytical work. The results are significant: a quantified, sourced, and reproducible analysis of a complex disruption in the actual world. What usually takes a traditional research team months was completed in weeks. That speed is vital when a situation is still unfolding.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe larger point.\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESixty-seven days in, the global supply chain community is navigating a disruption that has no precise historical parallel. The 1973 OAPEC embargo lasted months and produced lasting structural change in how the world consumes energy. The 1990 Gulf War shock was brief enough that it produced relatively mild downstream consequences. The 2022 European energy crisis showed us what happens when industrial feedstock costs become uneconomic for months at a time: capacity comes offline, and some of it does not come back for a long time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 2026 Hormuz closure is now 72 days old. It has already lasted longer than the 1990 Gulf War shock. It is approaching the territory where the worse historical outcomes become the more relevant comparators. Every additional week of closure moves the probability distribution toward the scenarios that produced lasting structural damage.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth public and private entities may be underestimating the magnitude of what recovery will require. Restoring normal supply chain function after an event of this scale and duration is not a matter of reopening a waterway. It is a matter of rebuilding inventory buffers, restarting industrial capacity, normalizing insurance markets, reestablishing commercial relationships, and managing the demand surge that hits simultaneously with the supply restart. The organizations that are planning for that recovery now will be materially better positioned than those that wait.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe people I talked to three weeks ago were right to be concerned. Their concern was based on experience and instinct and what they were seeing in their own business. Our work over the past weeks validates their perspective.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn enduring diplomatic solution is the essential precondition for any of this to improve. Without it, the cascade continues. With it, the hard work of recovery begins. Either way, the time to understand the full scope of what is in motion is now \u0026nbsp;and not after the headlines move on.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEditor\u2019s note:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/research\/scl-intelligence-reports#scl-26-02.pdf\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EView the related report\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cem\u003E: technical analysis, scenario modeling, Monte Carlo simulation methodology, consumer impact assessment.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe energy shock is already widely understood. What is not yet widely understood is what comes after it \u2014 and why a diplomatic deal, when it comes, will not be the end of the story.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"While modern supply chain analytics and AI are more advanced than ever, technical capability must be paired with rigorous critical thinking and operational discipline to ensure data-driven models translate into successful real-world decisions."}],"uid":"27233","created_gmt":"2026-05-11 16:55:05","changed_gmt":"2026-05-12 22:27:52","author":"Andy Haleblian","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-05-11T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-05-11T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680256":{"id":"680256","type":"image","title":"The Hormuz Supply Shock: What Happens Next to Your Supply Chain","body":null,"created":"1778526062","gmt_created":"2026-05-11 19:01:02","changed":"1778526062","gmt_changed":"2026-05-11 19:01:02","alt":"A sophisticated, high-tech horizontal banner design featuring an abstract global supply chain network. The composition uses a series of interconnected translucent hexagons and mosaic tile patterns showing maritime shipping routes and industrial icons: chemical structures (naphtha), PVC, plastics, food and agriculture, liquefied petroleum gas, fertilizer, apparel.","file":{"fid":"264500","name":"hormuz-public-discussion_sq.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/11\/hormuz-public-discussion_sq.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/11\/hormuz-public-discussion_sq.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1300124,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/11\/hormuz-public-discussion_sq.png?itok=X8OAJzyP"}},"674087":{"id":"674087","type":"image","title":"Chris Gaffney","body":"\u003Cp\u003EChris Gaffney\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1717067903","gmt_created":"2024-05-30 11:18:23","changed":"1771883375","gmt_changed":"2026-02-23 21:49:35","alt":"Chris Gaffney, Managing Director, Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute","file":{"fid":"257557","name":"chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":129544,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg?itok=_M0fOBTF"}}},"media_ids":["680256","674087"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/03\/why-strait-hormuz-more-energy-crisis","title":"Why the Strait of Hormuz Is More Than an Energy Crisis"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/news-events\/newsletters","title":"View past SCL newsletters and join our mailing list"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/","title":"Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute"}],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"194489","name":"scl-spot"},{"id":"167074","name":"Supply Chain"},{"id":"187190","name":"-go-gtmi"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["info@scl.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690192":{"#nid":"690192","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Rwanda Study Abroad Program Empowers Georgia Tech Students Through Experiential, Interdisciplinary Learning","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students gain a deeper understanding of sustainable development through the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/rwanda-study-abroad\/\u0022\u003ERwanda Study Abroad\u003C\/a\u003E program. The embedded course program merges classroom concepts with real-world challenges. The majority of the classes take place in Atlanta, and students travel to Rwanda over spring break for experiential learning.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/valerie-thomas\u0022\u003EValerie Thomas\u003C\/a\u003E, Anderson-Interface Chair of Natural Systems and Professor at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ISyE), launched the program in 2020 to educate future leaders through research collaboration and global, context-rich experiences.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThrough partnerships with the University of Rwanda and local institutions, Georgia Tech students learn directly from Rwandan faculty, students, and professionals working in sustainability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cDirect engagement brings Georgia Tech students face-to-face with high levels of expertise and professionalism in Rwanda, and by extension in other countries,\u201d says Thomas. \u201cThis program provides our students with greater understanding of how Rwanda is working on sustainability challenges. It also requires our students to up their game, participate at a high level, and adjust in real time.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver the years, Rwanda Study Abroad has evolved into a cross-campus initiative involving the Schools of Industrial \u0026amp; Systems Engineering, City and Regional Planning, and Modern Languages, as well as the Scheller College of Business.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn past years, the study abroad program primarily served undergraduate students. However, this year, the program has expanded with the addition of a concurrent graduate opportunity: the MBA International Practicum at Scheller College, which is a section of the Spring 2026 Sustainable Business Consulting Practicum, co-taught by Professor of the Practice \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/oxman\/index.html\u0022\u003EMichael Oxman\u003C\/a\u003E and Lecturer \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/directory\/faculty\/lax\/index.html\u0022\u003EBob Lax\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOxman\u2019s collaboration with Thomas on a National Science Foundation planning grant led to him co-leading a trip to Rwanda in 2025. On that trip, he met with clients and identified projects for the Spring 2026 practicum. He said, \u201cRwanda was a compelling new destination for MBA students in the International Practicum, and I was pleasantly surprised by the interest of the 26 MBA students who participated.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe interdisciplinary structure of the program allows students to examine sustainability, energy, development, and planning challenges from multiple perspectives.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI enjoyed the presentations and meetings with the students at the University of Rwanda,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/franklin-heath-58834b24b\/\u0022\u003EFranklin Heath\u003C\/a\u003E, a fourth-year ISyE major. \u201cIt was interesting to talk with the students, see what projects they were working on, and learn about their classes. I realized that our lives are more similar than I had imagined. Also, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rmb.gov.rw\/\u0022\u003ERwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board\u003C\/a\u003E (RMB) provided lots of insight into the mining industry and its logistics that I otherwise would not have thought about.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/divyacherukupalli\/\u0022\u003EDivya Cherukupalli\u003C\/a\u003E, an Evening MBA student, wrote, \u201cI chose to participate in the practicum because I wanted the opportunity to experience a different culture and understand how other countries approach sustainability compared to the United States. Being able to see these perspectives firsthand made the experience especially meaningful. The International Practicum was a truly transformative experience for me.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students move beyond observation and into deeper engagement through structured opportunities with Rwandan students, government officials, entrepreneurs, and members of local communities working toward similar goals. These interactions provide unique context and can shape how students understand challenges when they return to campus.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI have seen students grow significantly \u2013 especially in their confidence. Their excitement about learning seems supercharged as well. I think all the students on this recent trip felt a deep bond amongst themselves and with the instructors,\u201d reflected \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/planning.gatech.edu\/people\/tony-giarrusso\u0022\u003ETony Giarusso\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of the practice in the School of City \u0026amp; Regional Planning and co-lead for the program. \u201cMany of the student projects are set before we arrive in Rwanda, but our engagement with government officials and industry help fine tune student ideas while also providing them with field observation data and connections for data resources.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOxman agreed with Giarusso regarding the fruitful relationships in Rwanda. In the practicum, Oxman and Lax led students through a structured, hypothesis-driven approach to problem solving, and the students successfully leveraged that approach to add value to their clients\u2019 objectives. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/smayah-uwajeneza-590bb2131\/\u0022\u003ESmayah Uwajeneza\u003C\/a\u003E, a professional from Elevate Through Coffee, a client, wrote: \u201cWe\u2019re proud to collaborate with the students in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future, where knowledge exchange and partnership create real impact beyond borders.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther clients offered unsolicited testimonials (see \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.reg.rw\/media-center\/news-details\/news\/bridging-academia-and-industry-reg-welcomes-georgia-tech-delegation\/\u0022\u003ERwanda Energy Group\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.rmb.gov.rw\/updates\/news-detail\/rmb-hosted-mba-students-from-georgia-techs-scheller-college-of-business\u0022\u003ERMB\u003C\/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/100056898837014\/posts\/1518562523383694\/?mibextid=wwXIfr\u0026amp;rdid=m18EHH0ZAnzr7fzC\u0022\u003ERwanda Polytechnic\u003C\/a\u003E). These comments demonstrate the importance of sustainability not only for the good of society also for business value. Specifically, clients noted that the students\u2019 work strengthens entrepreneurship, accelerates innovation, and delivers solutions that respond to the needs of society. They said the work also created actionable pathways for improving sector governance, increasing resource efficiency, enhancing economic returns, and turning research ideas into industry-ready solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt was important to program leaders that students receive cultural insight and understand cultural continuity. While working with groups such as ESRI Rwanda, students and Georgia Tech as a global community build long-lasting relationships with local partners, helping participants develop a true understanding of life and the work being done in Rwanda.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELanguage and culture play a critical role in this process. Organizers emphasize the importance of linguistic knowledge and cultural awareness in accessing research, communicating effectively, and making informed decisions in international contexts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cLanguage expertise greatly facilitates work on the ground and gives students access to significant research written in other languages than English,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/iac.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/christophe-ippolito\u0022\u003EChristophe Ippolito\u003C\/a\u003E, professor of French in the School of Modern Languages, who embedded the trip to Rwanda in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/vip.gatech.edu\/teams-all-loaded-at-once-test\/entry\/1237\/\u0022\u003EAfrica: Serve, Learn, Sustain\u003C\/a\u003E VIP. The course provides an opportunity for undergraduates from across Georgia Tech to engage in sustainable development research in the African context. He remarked, \u201cI have been on the ground, having worked in Africa and visited 30+ countries there. So, for instance, I could tell students which kind of machine would work better for irrigation in some regions.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrganizers agree that the program has led to students gaining a significant growth in confidence and teamwork skills, often producing strong bonds within the cohort, reinforcing collaboration and engagement, beyond the study abroad experience.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOxman reflected, \u201cFrom my career, having been a consultant on sustainable business in emerging markets, I know that the only way to truly drive business and sustainability is through local immersion and understanding. I\u2019m so grateful to be able to facilitate this kind of experiential learning opportunity for our Georgia Tech students.\u201d Oxman said he\u2019s excited to be planning another international practicum in Rwanda in Spring 2027.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELooking ahead, Thomas said she expects the program to continue expanding with additional pathways for undergraduate and graduate students, deeper collaboration with Rwandan institutions and other partners, and project formats that further integrate research, teaching, and global engagement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cA hallmark of the program will be immersion and reciprocity,\u201d said Thomas, who envisions the program expanding to Rwandan colleagues visiting Georgia Tech and an urban planning studio in Rwanda. \u201cWe have faculty across the Institute with the talent, knowledge, and capability to support students in study abroad in Rwanda. Drawing on the existing talent and expertise across the Institute is making the Rwanda program robust and multi-faceted.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students gain a deeper understanding of sustainable development through the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/rwanda-study-abroad\/\u0022\u003ERwanda Study Abroad \u003C\/a\u003Eprogram. The embedded course program merges classroom concepts with real-world challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech students gain a deeper understanding of sustainable development through the Rwanda Study Abroad program."}],"uid":"36760","created_gmt":"2026-05-07 13:06:07","changed_gmt":"2026-05-11 19:56:37","author":"jsmith830","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-05-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-05-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680217":{"id":"680217","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech students participating in the Rwanda Study Abroad program","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech students gain a deeper understanding of sustainable development through the Rwanda Study Abroad program\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1778170585","gmt_created":"2026-05-07 16:16:25","changed":"1778170585","gmt_changed":"2026-05-07 16:16:25","alt":"Georgia Tech students participating in the Rwanda Study Abroad program","file":{"fid":"264460","name":"IMG_0276.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/IMG_0276_2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/05\/07\/IMG_0276_2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":150592,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/05\/07\/IMG_0276_2.jpg?itok=FPImlSWT"}}},"media_ids":["680217"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.scheller.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/scheller-abroad-georgia-tech-mbas.html","title":"#SchellerAbroad: Georgia Tech MBAs Travel to Belgium, Japan, and Rwanda"}],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EJoshua Smith, Communications Officer, II\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJennifer Holley Lux, Writer\/Editor\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690060":{"#nid":"690060","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Senior Design Teams Showcase Projects at Expo; Contact Point Win ISyE Prize ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAfter months of hard work, 32 groups (including one Create-X team) capped their undergraduate journeys through the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ISyE) by presenting their Senior Design Projects at Capstone Design Expo. The expo featured teams from 12 different schools at the Institute, displaying innovative ways to solve problems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EISyE brought the most teams of any school to the expo, where the senior design teams had the opportunity, for the first time, to present their problems and solutions to the public. In the packed McCamish Pavilion, teams erected their poster boards and demos, ready to explain their work to other interested students, donors, parents, and leaders from other schools at the Institute.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe projects spanned industries from aluminum smelters and artisan popsicle companies, NCAA football stadium queues and hospital emergency rooms, Atlanta nonprofits and Marine Corps operations. The breadth reflected both the versatility of industrial engineering and the program\u0027s reach into Atlanta\u0027s business community and beyond. One team, \u201cShift Happens,\u201d showed how they improved dispatcher scheduling for American Airlines. Their solution takes employees\u2019 preferences, flight schedules, the dispatcher\u2019s flexible day use, and training days into account to produce an improved schedule that minimizes the number of understaffed and overstaffed shifts. The scale of their solution was enormous.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen we combine that all into our one model, we have three shifts to account for: morning, evening, and midnight. We have eight regions to account for with American Airlines. It\u2019s a massive model: twenty-one million variables, thirty-five million constraints,\u201d explained \u201cShift Happens\u201d team member Colin Fravel.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith their improved schedule, they expected a 73% reduction in unmet demand where there is no dispatch to work a flight. By better distributing dispatchers, they also estimate that their solution will save American Airlines $1.3 million dollars in reduced staffing costs over the course of a year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother team, \u201cBuzz on the Beach,\u201d worked with company VayKLife \u2014 a guest engagement and beach gear rental platform \u2014 to optimize transportation resource usage by reducing the number of trucks required, total miles traveled, labor hours, fuel consumption, and reliance on rental equipment during peak seasons. The team developed a routing model that accounts for inventory availability and vehicle capacity constraints, enabling the company to maintain its current level of service while operating more efficiently with fewer resources.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIn peak season, we were able to see the savings of nine, almost ten thousand dollars in Charleston alone. And then in the off-season, we\u2019re able to save almost 13.7 thousand dollars, just in Charleston,\u201d said Rohan Prabhuram, one of the \u201cBuzz on the Beach\u201d team members.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the end of the expo, industry judges gave \u201cContact Point\u201d the Industrial Engineering monodisciplinary award. Team members Skyler Malmberg, Visakhi Miriyapalli, Nick Nist, Hannah Mathew, Justin Collins, Pardha Kanchiraju, Esha Pentakota, and Saba Ansari developed a work-process solution for Elevate Solutions Group.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir new process improves the way Elevate Solutions Group loads trays with contact lenses, as specified by their clients. The old process involved four to six workers loading individual trays, manual sorting, and long travel times between steps. \u201cContact Point\u2019s\u201d solution included constructing a new workstation for loading trays, a handheld scanner, custom software, and a tray attachment to make loading easier. They also counterintuitively decreased the number of workers at a time to just one.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWe were able to note an almost up to 50% decrease in time usage per tray,\u201d Collins explained. \u201cWe estimated this will save them over $126,000 over the first year on just this one product line that we\u0027re working with.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost of that cost savings came from labor, which they reduced by an average of 9 hours per client order. The team\u2019s impact, their client\u2019s satisfaction, and the rapid adoption of their solution were decisive factors in awarding this team the top prize.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor most of the 237 students in the ISyE senior design groups, the expo was the most public moment of their time throughout this experience. They showed not just a semester\u2019s work, but what four years of study, dedication, and determination look like. This final event was the culmination of all the steps it took for each one of them to become a Georgia Tech industrial engineer.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe ISyE teams covered a wide range of industrial engineering applications; some worked to improve their clients\u2019 inventory management, while others designed new processes to reduce patient wait times, allocate staffing resources, and shorten travel times.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Spring 2026 Capstone Design Expo featured teams from 12 different schools at the Institute, displaying innovative ways to solve problems and challenge the norm."}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-04-29 20:39:14","changed_gmt":"2026-04-30 18:11:52","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-29T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-29T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680115":{"id":"680115","type":"image","title":"ISyE Monodisciplinary Winner - Team Contact Point (Spring 2026 Capstone Design Expo)","body":null,"created":"1777495165","gmt_created":"2026-04-29 20:39:25","changed":"1777495165","gmt_changed":"2026-04-29 20:39:25","alt":"ISyE Monodisciplinary Winner - Team Contact Point (Spring 2026 Capstone Design Expo)","file":{"fid":"264355","name":"IMG_1442.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/29\/IMG_1442.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/29\/IMG_1442.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":935758,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/29\/IMG_1442.jpg?itok=PZSZtoYf"}}},"media_ids":["680115"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/engage\/engage-isye-students\/senior-design-clients","title":"More information relating to ISyE Senior Design "},{"url":"https:\/\/www.capstone.gatech.edu\/","title":"Georgia Tech Capstone Expo"}],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EParker Avery, Student Writing Assistant\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETiffany Ng, Senior Design Student Assistant\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690034":{"#nid":"690034","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Blind Spot in Modern Supply Chain Analytics: Where Did Critical Thinking Go?","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Chris Gaffney, Managing Director of the Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute, Supply Chain Advisor, and former executive at Frito\u2011Lay, AJC International, and Coca\u2011Cola.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIn this issue:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe real blind spot in analytics teams\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThree failures where the model was \u201cright\u201d and the decision was wrong\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA five-question checklist to run before anything goes to leadership.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA Subtle but Growing Concern\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver the past several months, I have had conversations with senior leaders at several large, well-established supply chain organizations with strong teams responsible for Integrated Business Planning (IBP) and supply chain network design and optimization.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese teams are technically strong. They know how to build models. They are comfortable with large data sets. Many are now incorporating AI tools into their workflows.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut the same concern keeps surfacing across those conversations:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe analytical capability is improving\u2014but the decision-making discipline around it is not keeping pace.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnalysts move quickly to building models without fully defining the business problem. Assumptions are not always surfaced or challenged. Outputs are evaluated mathematically, not operationally. And recommendations are not always translated into real-world implications.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELeaders are concerned about this and are looking for ways to address. I share their concern because I have been in their shoes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat the Experience Taught Us\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEarlier in my career, across different roles at Coca-Cola, we did not formally teach critical thinking. We learned it through experience and often through mistakes. Three situations shaped how I think about this today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EPowerade: When the Model Works but the Thinking Doesn\u2019t\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile working with optimization groups at Coca-Cola North America, we overbuilt capacity for Powerade. The model did exactly what it was supposed to do. The problem was upstream of the model.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe took the demand forecast at face value. At the time, we deferred to the brand teams without interrogating their assumptions. We never asked what was driving the projected volume\u2014whether the competitive dynamics supported it, whether the channel assumptions were realistic, whether pricing and distribution plans were grounded, whether overall market growth would materialize as projected.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe consequence was idle capacity, production lines that were purchased and never installed, write-offs, and a fundamental change to our process. Going forward, brand and supply chain teams were both required to sign off on future business cases. The model was technically correct. The thinking around the model had not been.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003ELittle Rock: When Feasibility Isn\u2019t Reality\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELater, within Coca-Cola Supply, we made a network decision to close a plant in Little Rock. On paper, the remaining system had the capacity to absorb the volume. The model said so.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat the model assessed was production capacity based on rated line speeds. What it did not account for was dock and storage capacity at peak, or the practical limitations of standing up a new shift at the receiving plants. Those constraints were real. They were also invisible in the model.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the short term, we had to source sub optimally from other plants\u2014which directly undermined the business case we had built to justify the closure. The math was right. The operational validation was incomplete.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EMini Cans: When the Thinking Matches the Model\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy the time I led the National Product Support Group, we had evolved. Decisions like the launch of mini cans required cross-functional alignment, scenario-based thinking, and a clear understanding of how demand would actually be generated across channels and routes to market.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe got that one right, not because the model was more sophisticated, but because the discipline around the model was stronger. We had learned, the hard way, to ask the questions the model could not ask for itself.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMost of the Work Is Outside the Model\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is a line I first heard from Chris Janke: \u0022Most of the work is outside the model.\u0022 He may have learned it from someone else; I don\u2019t know the original source, but it is the framing that has stayed with me. With the advances in data and machine learning we have seen over the past decade, that proportion may be closer to 75 percent today.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe are better than ever at collecting and cleansing large data sets, processing high volumes of information, and identifying mathematical errors. But the most important work still happens outside the model: defining the right business question, building meaningful scenarios, interpreting outputs in real-world terms, and stress-testing the assumptions that drive the recommendation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJanke captured this precisely in documenting his own experience with a modeling error that illustrated the point. An analyst had validated the math on a labor cost model\u2014everything checked out numerically. But when the output was translated into real-world terms, it implied production workers earning roughly $300,000 per year while working approximately 60 hours total annually. The math was internally consistent. The result was operationally impossible. The question that should have been asked early: does this make sense in the context of how the business actually operates? It was not asked until after the analysis was complete.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe discipline to ask that question is not modeling skill. It is a critical thinking skill.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhere the Breakdown Happens\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EBefore the Model: Skipping the Hard Questions\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA common pattern today is that analysts move quickly to building the model. The harder and more important step of defining the business decision before the model is built gets compressed or skipped entirely. The questions that require that step are not complicated, but they take time and engagement to answer well:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhat business decision are we actually trying to make?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhat scenarios matter, and why?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhat does success look like\u2014not mathematically, but operationally?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhat constraints are real versus assumed?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese questions are not as clean as coding a model. They require conversations with people who understand the constraints, not just the data. That is part of why they get skipped.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EAfter the Model: Mistaking Mathematical Accuracy for Business Validity\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is where more serious errors occur. Model issues can usually be fixed with more time. Misinterpretation of output leads to bad decisions that are much harder to unwind.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Powerade and Little Rock situations both illustrate this. In each case, the model was not wrong in any technical sense. What was missing was the translation layer\u2014 where someone asks, \u201cwhat changes on a Tuesday night shift, at Plant B, when demand spikes 12 percent?\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat translation layer does not happen automatically. It has to be built into how teams work. And it is exactly the discipline that gets squeezed when organizations reward speed and analytical sophistication above everything else.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat Critical Thinking Actually Means in Supply Chain\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECritical thinking in supply chain is not skepticism for its own sake, and it is not a soft skill that sits alongside the analytical work. It is a discipline applied to decisions and not just to models. The word itself points to what we mean: kritikos, the Greek root, means skilled in judging, able to discern*. That is the right definition for our purposes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt means asking whether the right question is being answered before investing in answering it well. It means making the assumptions that drive a recommendation visible and testable. It means translating analytical output into operational consequence: what actually changes, for whom, at what cost, and under what conditions the answer flips.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat discipline shows up or breaks down at four specific moments:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBefore the model is built\u003C\/strong\u003E: \u0026nbsp;Is the business question defined precisely enough to model?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhile the model is running\u003C\/strong\u003E: \u0026nbsp;Are the assumptions embedded in the data realistic and challenged?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhen the output is ready\u003C\/strong\u003E: \u0026nbsp;Does this result make sense in how the business actually operates?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBefore the recommendation goes forward\u003C\/strong\u003E: \u0026nbsp;Have we planned for how this will be received, and by whom?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen these moments are skipped because of time pressure, overconfidence in tools, or a culture that rewards analytical speed over decision rigor the gap between analysis and action grows. The Powerade and Little Rock situations were both failures at these moments, not failures of the models themselves.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E*DeCesare, M. (2009). Casting a critical glance at teaching \u201ccritical thinking.\u201d Pedagogy and the Human Sciences, 1(1), 73\u201377.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA Five-Question Diagnostic\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore an analysis or recommendation moves forward, teams should be able to answer five questions clearly. If any of them cannot be answered, the analysis is not ready\u2014regardless of how strong the model is.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/news\/2026-04\/5-question-diagnostic.jpg\u0022 alt=\u0022Strategic Analysis Checklist infographic.\u0022\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2026-04\/20260430_Figure1_Five-QuestionDiagnostic_SpotlightArticle.docx\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 1: A Five-Question Diagnostic (accessible version)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese are \u0026nbsp;questions that should have specific, grounded answers before a recommendation reaches leadership. If the team cannot answer question two (what assumption would flip the result) then the recommendation rests on unexamined ground. If question four cannot be answered, the change management work has not started yet.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the Powerade situation, questions one and two were the misses. In Little Rock, it was question three. The models were not the problem. The diagnostic would have surfaced both gaps before the decisions were made.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThis Gap Is Well Documented\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat I am describing from my own experience is consistent with what the research shows.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA long-running finding in operations research is that many models are built and comparatively few actually drive decisions, and the breakdown is organizational, not technical. A widely cited review in the European Journal of Operational Research frames this as an implementation problem rooted in how models are connected (or not connected) to the people and processes that own the decision.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProfessional credentialing bodies have recognized the same gap. The INFORMS Certified Analytics Professional blueprint explicitly lists business problem framing, stakeholder analysis, and business case development as core analytics competencies\u2014not optional additions. The signal is clear: being analytically strong is necessary but not sufficient.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn the training side, a field study published in the European Journal of Operational Research tested the effects of structured decision training across roughly 1,000 decision makers and analysts. The results showed measurable improvement in proactive decision-making skills and decision satisfaction. The gap is real, and it is addressable. It is a training and design issue, not a talent issue.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe 4 C\u2019s: A Decision-Focused Framework\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt Georgia Tech SCL, we organize this thinking around what we call the 4 C\u2019s. These soft skills play a key role in the decision process. Each one asks a specific question about whether the decision, not just the analysis, was made well.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cimg src=\u0022https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/news\/2026-04\/the-4-Cs.jpg\u0022 alt=\u0022The 4 Cs Decision Test infographic.\u0022\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/2026-04\/20260430_Figure2_The4Cs_SpotlightArticle.docx\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFigure 2: The 4 C\u2019s: A Decision-Focused Framework (accessible version)\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENotice what this framework does not include: model accuracy, data quality, or visualization quality. Those matter, and they are inputs to the decision. But a team can have a perfect model, a clean dataset, and a compelling dashboard and still fail all four of these tests.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Powerade situation failed the Collaboration test The supply chain team did not sufficiently interrogate the brand team\u2019s assumptions. Little Rock failed the Critical Thinking test: the right question was not asked about what the model was not capturing. In both cases, the Communication and Change Management failures followed directly from those upstream gaps.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhen all four are present, analysis becomes a decision. When one or more is missing, the analysis and translation to a solid recommendation are at risk.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhere to Start\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis topic keeps coming up in conversations with companies, in work with practitioners, and in what we hear from students as they move into industry roles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe tools are not the problem. AI-assisted analytics, optimization models, and advanced forecasting are real assets. But tools amplify the thinking behind them. Weak decision discipline and better tools is a faster path to the wrong answer.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf this shows up in your org, try the five-question diagnostic on your next recommendation before it hits leadership. If it surfaces gaps you cannot close quickly, SCL can help. We are building workshops and courseware on decision-focused critical thinking, and we will cover this in our \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/events\/calendar\/day\/2026\/06\/04\/13298\u0022\u003EJune Lunch and Learn\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EQuestions or comments? \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:info@scl.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EReach out to SCL\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EDespite the rapid advancement of AI and data modeling in supply chain management, many organizations face a growing \u0022blind spot\u0022 where sophisticated mathematical outputs are not adequately challenged by human intuition or operational reality. Drawing on experience, author Chris Gaffney illustrates how neglecting to stress-test assumptions can lead to costly mistakes even when the data itself is accurate. To bridge this gap, the article introduces a strategic diagnostic framework designed to help leaders move beyond technical validation and toward more holistic, cross-functional decision discipline.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"While modern supply chain analytics and AI are more advanced than ever, technical capability must be paired with rigorous critical thinking and operational discipline to ensure data-driven models translate into successful real-world decisions."}],"uid":"27233","created_gmt":"2026-04-29 11:56:46","changed_gmt":"2026-04-30 17:24:02","author":"Andy Haleblian","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680113":{"id":"680113","type":"image","title":"The Blind Spot in Modern Supply Chain Analytics: Where Did Critical Thinking Go?","body":null,"created":"1777489767","gmt_created":"2026-04-29 19:09:27","changed":"1777490058","gmt_changed":"2026-04-29 19:14:18","alt":"Two data analysts, a man in a suit and a woman, are seated at a desk in a high-tech logistics control center. They monitor various displays, including a comprehensive data dashboard with charts and graphs, a US network map, and a tablet for a video conference. A massive, towering warehouse filled with stacked cardboard boxes is visible in the background.","file":{"fid":"264353","name":"spotlight-SC_critical_thinking_1200x1200.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/29\/spotlight-SC_critical_thinking_1200x1200.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/29\/spotlight-SC_critical_thinking_1200x1200.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":73445,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/29\/spotlight-SC_critical_thinking_1200x1200.jpg?itok=X_C2KZvU"}},"674087":{"id":"674087","type":"image","title":"Chris Gaffney","body":"\u003Cp\u003EChris Gaffney\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1717067903","gmt_created":"2024-05-30 11:18:23","changed":"1771883375","gmt_changed":"2026-02-23 21:49:35","alt":"Chris Gaffney, Managing Director, Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute","file":{"fid":"257557","name":"chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":129544,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg?itok=_M0fOBTF"}}},"media_ids":["680113","674087"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/news-events\/newsletters","title":"View past SCL newsletters and join our mailing list"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/","title":"Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute"}],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"194489","name":"scl-spot"},{"id":"167074","name":"Supply Chain"},{"id":"187190","name":"-go-gtmi"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["info@scl.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"690073":{"#nid":"690073","#data":{"type":"news","title":"2026 Student Honors Celebration Recognizes Excellence in ISyE","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ISyE) proudly celebrates the outstanding students recognized at the annual Student Honors Celebration on Thursday, April 23. The event highlights students who demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and service throughout the year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAlpha Pi Mu Academic Excellence Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYubin Kim\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYubin Kim received the Alpha Pi Mu Academic Excellence Award in recognition of outstanding academic achievement, research excellence, and active involvement in scholarly activities. As part of this honor, Kim\u2019s name will be added to the Alpha Pi Mu perpetual plaque displayed in the ISyE office.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEvelyn Pennington Outstanding Service Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPhong Nguyen\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPhong Nguyen was honored with the Evelyn Pennington Outstanding Service Award in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the ISyE community. His dedication to service, support of student initiatives, and commitment to academic excellence embody the spirit of this award.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIISE Excellence in Leadership Award\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESujan Ganesh Kumar\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESujan Ganesh Kumar received the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) Excellence in Leadership Award in recognition of impactful leadership within ISyE student organizations. Through dedicated efforts to foster student engagement and collaboration, Kumar has helped strengthen community and enrich the student experience within the program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe School congratulates all honorees for their dedication, leadership, and contributions to the ISyE community. To view the full list of honorees, click this\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/23\/student-excellence-celebrated-honors-event\u0022\u003Elink\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThree ISyE students were honored in recognition of outstanding academic achievement, research excellence, and active involvement in scholarly activities\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The Student Honors Celebration recognizes outstanding students across the Institute for their academic achievement, leadership, and service to the community."}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-04-30 15:12:20","changed_gmt":"2026-04-30 15:20:08","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"680129":{"id":"680129","type":"image","title":"Yubin Kim","body":null,"created":"1777562249","gmt_created":"2026-04-30 15:17:29","changed":"1777562249","gmt_changed":"2026-04-30 15:17:29","alt":"Yubin Kim","file":{"fid":"264369","name":"Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-11.17.11-AM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/30\/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-11.17.11-AM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/30\/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-11.17.11-AM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":88850,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/30\/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-11.17.11-AM.png?itok=Y5_rBKT-"}},"680130":{"id":"680130","type":"image","title":"Phong Nguyen","body":null,"created":"1777562296","gmt_created":"2026-04-30 15:18:16","changed":"1777562296","gmt_changed":"2026-04-30 15:18:16","alt":"Phong Nguyen","file":{"fid":"264370","name":"Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-11.18.08-AM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/30\/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-11.18.08-AM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/30\/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-11.18.08-AM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":85563,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/30\/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-11.18.08-AM.png?itok=ybRY0XS5"}},"680131":{"id":"680131","type":"image","title":"Sujan Ganesh Kumar","body":null,"created":"1777562355","gmt_created":"2026-04-30 15:19:15","changed":"1777562355","gmt_changed":"2026-04-30 15:19:15","alt":"Sujan Ganesh Kumar","file":{"fid":"264371","name":"Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-11.19.07-AM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/30\/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-11.19.07-AM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/30\/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-11.19.07-AM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":102135,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/30\/Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-11.19.07-AM.png?itok=-mpZsdJw"}}},"media_ids":["680129","680130","680131"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689825":{"#nid":"689825","#data":{"type":"news","title":"ISyE Student, Faculty Help Georgia Tech Take First at IEEE MagNet Challenge","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAn interdisciplinary team that included graduate student \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/dongmin-li\u0022\u003EDongmin Li\u003C\/a\u003E from the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ISyE) earned first place at the prestigious \u003Cstrong\u003EIEEE Power Electronics Society 2025 MagNet Challenge\u003C\/strong\u003E, outpacing 39 teams from around the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELi worked alongside ISyE Assistant Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/xiaochen-xian\u0022\u003EXiaochen Xian\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Assistant Professor Baoyun Ge, ECE graduate students Piyush Chauhan and Yuanhao Mo, and Le Chang, an engineer from General Motors. The team was honored for its innovative approach to modeling magnetic systems, an area critical to the performance and efficiency of modern power electronics.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe MagNet Challenge tasks student teams with developing advanced software algorithms that learn from existing training data and accurately predict magnetic behavior in previously unseen materials and operating conditions. Competitors are evaluated on both modeling accuracy and robustness, with applications spanning electric vehicles, power converters, motors, and transformers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDrawing on engineering principles in modeling, optimization, and data-informed decision-making, the team developed a physics\u2011informed prediction model based on mechanical analogies for magnetic systems. The approach allowed the model to explicitly capture complex nonlinear effects, including saturation, hysteresis, eddy currents, and displacement currents, that have long challenged engineers and researchers.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir model significantly reduced prediction errors across five different testing materials, operating over a wide range of switching frequencies (from 50 kHz to 800 kHz) and temperatures between 25\u00b0C and 70\u00b0C, outperforming all other competitors.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe project spanned 10 months, beginning in March 2025, and reflects ISyE\u2019s growing role in tackling complex, interdisciplinary engineering challenges through advanced modeling and data-driven methods. The team has since submitted two provisional patents related to the technology developed during the competition.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe award was formally presented at the IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference on March 24, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. Hosted by Princeton University and Dartmouth College, the MagNet Challenge was sponsored by the IEEE Power Electronics Society along with industry leaders including Nvidia, Texas Instruments, W\u00fcrth Elektronik, ITG Electronics, and pSemi.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor ISyE, the win highlights the impact of its students and faculty in shaping next-generation solutions at the intersection of systems engineering, computation, and emerging energy technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003EAn interdisciplinary Georgia Tech team including an ISyE graduate student and faculty member earned first place at the IEEE Power Electronics Society 2025 MagNet Challenge, a global competition focused on advancing magnetic modeling.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"An ISyE\u2011represented Georgia Tech team took first place at the IEEE Power Electronics Society 2025 MagNet Challenge for work addressing a major bottleneck in power electronics."}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-04-17 14:29:23","changed_gmt":"2026-04-17 14:30:54","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-17T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679988":{"id":"679988","type":"image","title":"IEEE MagNet Challenge Winners","body":null,"created":"1776436172","gmt_created":"2026-04-17 14:29:32","changed":"1776436172","gmt_changed":"2026-04-17 14:29:32","alt":"IEEE MagNet Challenge Winners","file":{"fid":"264217","name":"magnet.jpg.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/17\/magnet.jpg.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/17\/magnet.jpg.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":8217713,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/17\/magnet.jpg.jpeg?itok=ICcRpO8R"}}},"media_ids":["679988"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689748":{"#nid":"689748","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Georgia Tech Research Shows East Coast Gateway Best Choice For Atlanta, Memphis And Nashville","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA new study conducted by researchers with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute\u003C\/a\u003E shows that the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gaports.com\/facilities\/port-of-savannah\/\u0022\u003EPort of Savannah\u003C\/a\u003E is the most cost-effective and reliable gateway for cargo destined for Atlanta, Memphis, and Nashville. According to the research, shippers can save more than $1,000 per container by routing freight through Savannah instead of West Coast ports, when evaluating full end-to-end supply chain costs and transit reliability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe study emphasizes that gateway decisions should not be based solely on ocean rates or sailing time. While trans-Pacific routes to the West Coast are shorter at sea, researchers found that congestion, cargo rehandling, and inland transportation complexity often introduce delays and variability. In contrast, Savannah\u0027s efficient port operations, on-terminal rail service, and direct interstate access help offset longer ocean voyages with faster inland movement and greater predictability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers analyzed vessel and inland transportation data from ten Asian ports to the three Southeastern markets. Their findings showed that Savannah\u0027s reliable port processing and inland logistics significantly reduce congestion exposure and transit variability, making it a more dependable gateway for shippers seeking consistent delivery performance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe study was conducted by Georgia Tech faculty and PhD students at the Institute\u0027s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/picenter.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EPhysical Internet Center\u003C\/a\u003E and reinforces previous Atlanta-focused research demonstrating similar benefits of East Coast routing. The findings support the growing role of the Port of Savannah as a strategic gateway for U.S. supply chains serving inland Southeast markets.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ERead the original press release from the Georgia Ports Authority here:\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gaports.com\/press-releases\/georgia-tech-research-shows-east-coast-gateway-best-choice-for-atlanta-memphis-and-nashville\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech research shows East Coast gateway best choice for Atlanta, Memphis and Nashville\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech researchers have found that routing cargo through the Port of Savannah offers significant cost savings and more reliable transit for shipments bound for Atlanta, Memphis, and Nashville, outperforming traditional West Coast gateways in total landed cost and consistency.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Independent study shows Savannah saves shippers $1,000 per container compared to West Coast ports."}],"uid":"27233","created_gmt":"2026-04-14 18:02:30","changed_gmt":"2026-04-14 18:11:05","author":"Andy Haleblian","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Savannah, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679945":{"id":"679945","type":"image","title":"Georgia Tech Research Shows East Coast Gateway Best Choice For Atlanta, Memphis And Nashville","body":null,"created":"1776188877","gmt_created":"2026-04-14 17:47:57","changed":"1776189100","gmt_changed":"2026-04-14 17:51:40","alt":"Railroad yard serving the Georgia Ports Authority with more than 6 railroad lanes with one engine towing a long line of intermodal containers.","file":{"fid":"264170","name":"260409-GPA-GA-Tech-Study-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/14\/260409-GPA-GA-Tech-Study-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/14\/260409-GPA-GA-Tech-Study-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":541590,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/14\/260409-GPA-GA-Tech-Study-.jpg?itok=RnLPxWpp"}}},"media_ids":["679945"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/news\/scl-study-shows-savannah-beats-west-coast-cost-reliability-atlanta-cargo","title":"SCL Study Shows Savannah Beats West Coast on Cost, Reliability for Atlanta Cargo"}],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"142","name":"City Planning, Transportation, and Urban Growth"},{"id":"194609","name":"Industry"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194848","name":"shipping costs"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003Einfo@scl.gatech.edu\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689495":{"#nid":"689495","#data":{"type":"news","title":"ISyE Graduate Program Maintains Top Ranking for 36th Consecutive Year","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor the 36th year in a row, Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ISyE) has earned the No. 1 spot in the 2026 Best Engineering Schools ranking released by \u003Cem\u003EU.S. News \u0026amp; World Report.\u003C\/em\u003E \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis continued recognition reflects the exceptional work of our faculty and staff, students, and alumni, who are pushing the boundaries of industrial and systems engineering every day,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/pinar-keskinocak\u0022\u003EP\u0131nar Keskinocak\u003C\/a\u003E, H. Milton and Carolyn J. Stewart School Chair and Professor.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBeing ranked No. 1 for 36 consecutive years highlights the strength of our community and our commitment to innovation, impact, and leadership in the field.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s College of Engineering (COE) also maintained its strong national standing, placing fourth overall for the third consecutive year. In addition, all 11 of the Institute\u2019s graduate engineering programs have ranked within the top 9 in their respective disciplines for the 12th straight year in the 2026 \u003Cem\u003EU.S. News \u0026amp; World Report \u003C\/em\u003Erankings.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExplore the full list of COE program rankings \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/coe.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/engineering-grad-programs-remain-no-4-2026-rankings\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ISyE) continues to set the standard for excellence, with its graduate program earning the No. 1 ranking for the 36th consecutive year by \u003Cem\u003EU.S. News \u0026amp; World Report. \u003C\/em\u003EThis sustained leadership reflects ISyE\u2019s unwavering commitment to innovation, rigorous academic training, and impactful research that addresses some of the world\u2019s most complex challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"ISyE\u2019s graduate program continues to lead the nation, earning the No. 1 ranking for the 36th consecutive year and reinforcing its position at the forefront of industrial and systems engineering."}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-04-07 16:37:01","changed_gmt":"2026-04-08 16:28:46","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-07T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-07T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679875":{"id":"679875","type":"image","title":"2026 USNWR.png","body":null,"created":"1775579829","gmt_created":"2026-04-07 16:37:09","changed":"1775579829","gmt_changed":"2026-04-07 16:37:09","alt":"2026 USNWR","file":{"fid":"264095","name":"Rankings_2026--1080-x-1080-px---3-.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/07\/Rankings_2026--1080-x-1080-px---3-.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/07\/Rankings_2026--1080-x-1080-px---3-.png","mime":"image\/png","size":160890,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/07\/Rankings_2026--1080-x-1080-px---3-.png?itok=wMPXLVpf"}}},"media_ids":["679875"],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689321":{"#nid":"689321","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Future of AI\u2011Powered Manufacturing","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EManufacturing is undergoing a significant transformation as artificial intelligence reshapes how industrial systems operate, adapt, and scale. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ISyE) has launched its \u003Cstrong\u003EManufacturing and AI Initiative\u003C\/strong\u003E, which brings together faculty expertise in statistics, optimization, data science, and systems engineering to address emerging challenges and opportunities in modern manufacturing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EISyE researchers are applying AI to complex manufacturing environments, including multistage production systems, asset management, quality improvement, and human\u2011centered manufacturing. Faculty leaders emphasize the importance of contextualizing large volumes of manufacturing data so AI can support reliable decision\u2011making, efficient operations, and sustainable outcomes. At the same time, the initiative acknowledges challenges such as data integration, system complexity, and the need to balance automation with human involvement. Together, these efforts position ISyE at the forefront of shaping AI\u2011powered manufacturing systems that are innovative, resilient, and socially responsible.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERead the full article in \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/magazine\/2026\/spring\/future-ai-powered-manufacturing\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EISyE Magazine\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EISyE is launching its Manufacturing and AI Initiative to unite pioneering researchers with interdisciplinary partners in the development of research and education programs that address issues of industrial, societal, and global concern.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"ISyE is advancing the next generation of manufacturing through AI\u2011driven research that integrates data analytics, optimization, and human\u2011centered systems to create smarter, more resilient industrial ecosystems. "}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-04-01 14:59:16","changed_gmt":"2026-04-01 15:10:11","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-04-01T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679812":{"id":"679812","type":"image","title":"The Future of AI-Powered Manufacturing.jpg","body":null,"created":"1775055564","gmt_created":"2026-04-01 14:59:24","changed":"1775055564","gmt_changed":"2026-04-01 14:59:24","alt":"The Future of AI-Powered Manufacturing","file":{"fid":"264016","name":"IMG_0592.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/IMG_0592.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/04\/01\/IMG_0592.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2937547,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/04\/01\/IMG_0592.jpg?itok=azK3lZM3"}}},"media_ids":["679812"],"groups":[{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"},{"id":"194685","name":"Manufacturing"},{"id":"135","name":"Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"193655","name":"Artificial Intelligence at Georgia Tech"},{"id":"39431","name":"Data Engineering and Science"},{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"},{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAnnette Filliat, ISyE Communications Writer\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689229":{"#nid":"689229","#data":{"type":"news","title":"ISyE Student Awarded IBM Fellowship for Research Excellence","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/hoang-nguyen\u0022\u003EHoang Nguyen\u003C\/a\u003E, a graduate student in the Algorithms, Combinatorics, and Optimization Ph.D. program at the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, has been awarded an IBM fellowship in recognition of his research contributions and academic achievements. The IBM fellowship program is a prestigious, invitation-only award that identifies exceptional Ph.D. students conducting pioneering research in their disciplines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENguyen began his academic journey as an undergraduate at Minerva University, where he studied in a different country nearly every semester. This experience abroad shaped his approach to problem-solving. After graduating, Nguyen remained passionate about mathematics but became interested in applying theory to real-world challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI still wanted to do math, but I wanted to apply my mathematical research to some tangible applications,\u201d Nguyen said. \u201cI wanted to see the meaning behind my research.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat desire, along with ISyE\u2019s long-standing top national ranking in industrial engineering, led Nguyen to pursue his doctoral studies at Georgia Tech. His primary research focuses on applied probability, with an emphasis on bridging theoretical models and practical systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENguyen received the IBM Fellowship in recognition of his ongoing research. One of his current research projects examines how far a process is from the steady state and seeks to better understand the finite-time behavior of the system and to make accurate real-time decisions. This work has meaningful applications in many real-world service systems models, such as the load balancing algorithms found in data centers and ride-hailing systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn additional his work in applied probability, Nguyen is exploring ways to improve artificial intelligence reasoning. His research investigates how large language models can verify their own outputs using mathematical heuristics and training data. By identifying and correcting discrepancies before displaying results to the user, the system could become more accurate and reliable.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENguyen contributes much to the mentorship of his advisor, Professor\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/siva-theja-maguluri\u0022\u003ESiva Theja Magulur\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI would like to thank my advisor, Professor Siva Theja, for supporting me through this journey,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u0027s an extremely caring, insightful, and attentive professor. He\u0027s also very supportive of me pursuing the AI reasoning research at Google DeepMind, although this is not his main research. Over the years, I have learned a lot from him as his student.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IBM Fellowship is the latest in a series of achievements for Nguyen. In 2024 and 2025, respectively, he was part of a Google DeepMind team that earned silver and gold medals in the International Mathematical Olympiad. He also won second place at the ACM SIGMETRICS 2025 Student Research Contest for his work on the finite-time behavior of queuing systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs he continues his doctoral studies, Nguyen remains focused on advancing his research and contributing to both theoretical and applied fields.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ENguyen\u0027s work focuses on understanding real-world system behavior, such as queuing and load balancing, while also advancing methods for improving AI reasoning, building more reliable and effective technologies with practical applications.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Hoang Nguyen, a Ph.D. student at the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, has earned an IBM Fellowship for his innovative research in applied probability and AI, advancing real-world systems and intelligent technologies."}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-03-30 13:26:44","changed_gmt":"2026-03-31 16:05:20","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-30T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-30T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679770":{"id":"679770","type":"image","title":"Hoang Nguyen.jpg","body":null,"created":"1774877220","gmt_created":"2026-03-30 13:27:00","changed":"1774877220","gmt_changed":"2026-03-30 13:27:00","alt":"Hoang Nguyen","file":{"fid":"263971","name":"Hoang-Nguyen.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/30\/Hoang-Nguyen.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/30\/Hoang-Nguyen.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":45371,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/30\/Hoang-Nguyen.jpg?itok=jlrk7h12"}}},"media_ids":["679770"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EParker Avery, Student Writing Assistant\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689213":{"#nid":"689213","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Meghan Meredith Recognized with IISE Award for Maternal Health Research","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EMeghan Meredith (IE Ph.D. 2025, Operations Research), has been named the\u0026nbsp;first-place winner of the Pritsker Doctoral Dissertation Award by the \u003Cstrong\u003EInstitute of Industrial and Systems Engineers \u003C\/strong\u003E(IISE)\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Efor her dissertation,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003E\u201cOperations Research for Improved and Equitable Maternal Health.\u201d\u003C\/em\u003E The recognition highlights the impact of her work in applying operations research to one of the most pressing healthcare challenges in the United States: poor maternal health outcomes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy dissertation focused on maternal health in the U.S., particularly in Georgia,\u201d Meredith said. \u201cWomen are experiencing maternal morbidity and mortality at much higher rates than in other high-income countries. There are also significant racial, ethnic, and rural-urban disparities. All of this points to systemic issues in how maternal healthcare is provided.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeredith\u2019s research combined data analysis, modeling, and policy-focused tools to understand and improve access to obstetric care. A major focus was how access is measured and how to use existing resources more effectively.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOne widely used metric, \u2018maternity care deserts,\u2019 looks at access by county,\u201d she explained. \u201cBut in Georgia, someone might be labeled as lacking care even if a hospital is just a mile across the county line. We realized that this metric was measuring the wrong thing in Georgia. Our work focuses on providing actionable insights to policymakers so they can ensure women have high-quality care nearby.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer research was motivated by the urgent need to address poor maternal outcomes in Georgia, which ranks among the worst states in the U.S. for both maternal mortality and racial disparities. \u201cWe see that half of women who die due to pregnancy-related causes die after delivery,\u201d Meredith said. \u201cPregnancy is a critical opportunity to engage women in their healthcare, and it\u2019s essential to focus on both maternal and fetal health.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeredith\u2019s contributions aim to bridge the gap between complex operations research models and real-world healthcare decision making. \u201cWe want to take the guesswork out of policy decisions,\u201d she said. \u201cIf a hospital closes or receives funding, our models can estimate the impact on care access and outcomes.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReceiving the IISE award underscores the impact of Meredith\u2019s research. \u201cWe were so focused on improving maternal health in Georgia,\u201d she said. \u201cThis recognition shows that meaningful healthcare research can also advance the field of operations research and industrial engineering.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeredith credits much of her success to her advisor, Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/lauren-steimle\u0022\u003ELauren Steimle\u003C\/a\u003E, who nominated her for the award and provided guidance throughout her PhD program, which she began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. \u201cHer support was critical, especially during the first year and a half of online learning and isolation,\u201d Meredith said. She also highlighted the importance of her women-led team of collaborators, including physicians and epidemiologists, working on this women-centered research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECurrently a postdoctoral researcher at NYU Langone Health, Meredith is applying her expertise to organ transplant policy, a field where operations research directly informs life-saving decisions. \u201cAccess, efficiency, and equity are still central themes,\u201d she said. \u201cThe goal is to use powerful tools to improve care outcomes wherever they\u2019re needed most.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMeghan Meredith (IE Ph.D. 2025, Operations Research), winner of IISE\u2019s Pritsker Doctoral Dissertation Award, uses operations research to uncover maternal health disparities in Georgia and help policymakers improve access to care.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Her award-winning research addresses maternal health disparities in Georgia, providing data-driven insights to improve access and outcomes for women."}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-03-27 13:22:43","changed_gmt":"2026-03-27 19:50:41","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-27T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-27T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679753":{"id":"679753","type":"image","title":"Meghan Meredith","body":null,"created":"1774618423","gmt_created":"2026-03-27 13:33:43","changed":"1774618495","gmt_changed":"2026-03-27 13:34:55","alt":"Meghan Meredith","file":{"fid":"263952","name":"Meghan-meredith.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/Meghan-meredith.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/27\/Meghan-meredith.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":76216,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/27\/Meghan-meredith.jpg?itok=XHJxJjGA"}}},"media_ids":["679753"],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EErin Whitlock Brown, Communications Manager II\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689023":{"#nid":"689023","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Bracketology Driven by Data ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETens of millions of brackets have been filled out ahead of the NCAA men\u2019s and women\u2019s basketball tournaments. Some fans will choose winners based on the higher seed, others will try to predict shocking upsets, and some may choose who advances based on which mascot would win a fight, but a Georgia Tech professor has his bracket down to a (data) science. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESince 2004, Joel Sokol, director of the Master of Science in Analytics program and the Harold E. Smalley Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, has used a pair of analytic methods \u2014 logistic regression and Markov chains (LRMC) \u2014 to determine the best teams in college basketball. This year, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www2.isye.gatech.edu\/~jsokol\/lrmcclassic\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESokol\u2019s LRMC rankings\u003C\/a\u003E project the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www2.isye.gatech.edu\/~jsokol\/profspicks\/profspicks26-c.pdf\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMichigan Wolverines to cut down the nets\u003C\/a\u003E at the end of the men\u2019s tournament and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www2.isye.gatech.edu\/~jsokol\/profspicksW\/profspicks26w-c.pdf\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EConnecticut Huskies as the last team standing in the women\u2019s field\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe algorithm compares all 350-plus Division I basketball teams against each other simultaneously during the regular season and calculates probabilities based on simple data points \u2014 who won each game, by how much, and where it was played. When the madness of March begins, Sokol\u2019s bracket forgoes the seeds assigned to teams and fills out his bracket based on the LRMC rankings.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EModels used by the tournament selection committee \u2014 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ncaa.com\/news\/basketball-men\/article\/2022-12-05\/college-basketballs-net-rankings-explained\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENET\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ncaa.com\/news\/basketball-men\/article\/2022-02-09\/mens-college-basketball-rankings-what-kpi\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EKPI\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/kenpom.com\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EKenPom\u003C\/a\u003E \u2014 measure advanced metrics like strength of schedule, possession-by-possession efficiency, opponent quality, and more, but Sokol, with expertise in sports analytics and data science, says the LRMC shows the value of simple data and a large sample size.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe LRMC can hold its own against those models that are based on much more advanced metrics than just scoreboard data. They may look at all kinds of information, from efficiencies down to individual player performance, but the message really is that if you have a good set of simple data, that\u2019s enough if you know how to interpret it.\u201d\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESokol compares his algorithm to nearly 100 other ranking systems and says the LRMC is often among the top performers, with the higher-ranked teams (in the LRMC rankings) winning approximately 75% of the time \u2014 a statistic that holds true in the NCAA Tournament. Sokol says that 25% of tournament games result in an upset. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor 2026, Sokol\u2019s projections predict that all eight No. 1 seeds \u2014 four in both the men\u2019s and women\u2019s tournaments \u2014 will reach the Final Four, but it\u2019s not always a guarantee that the highest seeds make it out of their respective regions. The inaugural LRMC rankings accurately predicted the No. 3-seeded Yellow Jackets\u2019 Final Four run in 2004 \u2014 one of the only predictive models to do so.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESokol got the idea to compile the LRMC rankings one year before Tech\u2019s run to the national championship game, when the Yellow Jackets were left out of the NCAA Tournament as a bubble team, largely because of a December buzzer-beater loss to Tennessee. Since the first set of rankings, machine learning and artificial intelligence have become more accessible, yet Sokol says ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) aren\u2019t quite ready to handle the level of analysis required to shape the rankings.\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThese LLMs are good at sounding good, but they\u0027re not so good at doing these complex quantitative tasks,\u201d he said. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUltimately, though, luck is often a stubbornly unquantifiable factor when filling out a bracket, no matter the formula used to make selections, and the odds of filling out a perfect bracket are all but \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ncaa.com\/news\/basketball-men\/bracketiq\/2026-02-18\/perfect-ncaa-bracket-absurd-odds-march-madness-dream\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ea statistical impossibility\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"For two decades, a Georgia Tech professor has used simple data to track the best teams in college basketball and predict who will win the NCAA Tournament.   "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor two decades, a Georgia Tech professor has used simple data to track the best teams in college basketball and predict who will win the NCAA Tournament. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"For two decades, a Georgia Tech professor has used simple data to track the best teams in college basketball and predict who will win the NCAA Tournament.   "}],"uid":"36418","created_gmt":"2026-03-18 20:24:38","changed_gmt":"2026-03-27 14:20:39","author":"sgagliano3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679681":{"id":"679681","type":"image","title":"Joel Sokol","body":"\u003Cp\u003EJoel Sokol, director of the Master of Science in Analytics program and the Harold E. Smalley Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1773865550","gmt_created":"2026-03-18 20:25:50","changed":"1773865550","gmt_changed":"2026-03-18 20:25:50","alt":"Joel Sokol","file":{"fid":"263871","name":"12C3046-P1-001.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/12C3046-P1-001.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/18\/12C3046-P1-001.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":2410903,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/18\/12C3046-P1-001.jpg?itok=b7bFdqK3"}}},"media_ids":["679681"],"groups":[{"id":"1237","name":"College of Engineering"},{"id":"658168","name":"Experts"},{"id":"1214","name":"News Room"},{"id":"1188","name":"Research Horizons"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[{"id":"62061","name":"March Madness"},{"id":"181299","name":"ncaa tournament"},{"id":"12204","name":"men\u0027s basketball"},{"id":"4811","name":"women\u0027s basketball"},{"id":"79951","name":"college basketball"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71901","name":"Society and Culture"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:steven.gagliano@gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESteven Gagliano\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"689150":{"#nid":"689150","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The Future of Brand in an AI-Driven World: A Supply Chain Perspective","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Chris Gaffney, Managing Director of the Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute, Supply Chain Advisor, and former executive at Frito\u2011Lay, AJC International, and Coca\u2011Cola\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe recently wrapped our semi\u2011annual industry advisory board meeting, where a core element of the agenda is a set of \u0022hot topics\u0022 sourced in advance from our member companies, curated, and facilitated to reflect what is most top of mind in the field. This cycle, one of those topics focused on the impact of AI on supply chain technology investment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat began as a discussion on technology quickly surfaced a broader issue:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAI is not just changing supply chains\u2014it is raising the standard for execution, and in doing so, redefining what it takes to sustain a brand.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhen Capability Becomes Cheap\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWithin that discussion, a simple example sparked debate. Most of us would trust a platform like DocuSign without hesitation. It has earned that trust through reliability, security, and consistent performance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut what if a new entrant\u2014call it \u201cFredSign\u201d\u2014offered similar functionality, powered by AI, at lower cost and with comparable features? Would you use it?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe room split. Some argued that established brands are durable because of the trust they have built over time. Others pushed back, suggesting that AI\u2011enabled challengers could close that gap faster than expected, making brand less relevant.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe discussion quickly moved beyond software to a broader question:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EIn a world where AI lowers the cost of building capability, does trust shift from brand to performance\u2014or does brand become even more important?\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBrand as a Promise\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom a supply chain perspective, this is no longer theoretical. It is already happening.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt its core, a brand is a promise. For product companies, that promise is built on quality, consistency, and the experience of using the product over time. For supply chain technology and service providers, it is grounded in reliability, security, and confidence in execution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHistorically, brand has been reinforced by performance\u2014but also protected by time, scale, and familiarity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAI is changing that balance.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ELower Barriers, Higher Expectations\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn one hand, AI lowers barriers to entry. New entrants can replicate functionality faster, improve user experiences, and target specific gaps in incumbent offerings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn supply chain technology, this is particularly relevant. Many organizations have made significant, long\u2011term investments in systems that have not always delivered as expected. That creates an opening for AI\u2011enabled providers to enter through narrow use cases, solve specific problems better, and establish a foothold. Over time, they build credibility.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut there is a second dimension that is more immediate\u2014and more consequential.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAI Raises the Execution Standard\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne way to frame this is simple: data is a terrible thing to waste.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor years, supply chains have generated vast amounts of data across planning systems, transportation networks, warehouses, and customer interactions. Much of that data has been underutilized\u2014captured, stored, but not fully leveraged to anticipate risk or improve outcomes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThat is changing.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe capability now exists\u2014and is rapidly maturing\u2014to sense, interpret, and act on that data in ways that were not previously practical. Risks can be identified earlier. Disruptions can be predicted. Corrective actions can be taken before the customer ever feels the impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EFrom Disruption to Preventability\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver the past week, in the span of just six days and four unrelated conversations with members of my network, I heard a series of examples that all pointed to this shift.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA global food company managing risk tied to a critical supplier whose quality issues could impact multiple major brands\u2014raising the question of whether AI could have surfaced a near sole\u2011source dependency earlier.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAn e\u2011commerce retailer using machine learning to reduce theft and damage in its fulfillment network, improving the customer experience.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAn organization proactively shifting its fulfillment partner mix based on AI\u2011driven insights into which nodes can and cannot handle surge capacity.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA high\u2011end clothing shipment arriving wet due to a fulfillment breakdown\u2014where the loss was not just the product, but a time\u2011sensitive moment that could not be recovered.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA consumer receiving an empty box after successfully purchasing a limited\u2011release product that could not be replaced.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese are not isolated anecdotes. The common thread is not disruption\u2014it is preventability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs AI enables earlier detection of risk, better prediction of disruptions, and faster response to exceptions, the tolerance for failure is declining. Companies are no longer judged simply on whether something went wrong. They are judged on whether it should have been avoided.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EBrand Is the Delivered Experience\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom a brand perspective, that is a fundamental shift.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA product brand may invest heavily in innovation and customer engagement. But if the product arrives damaged, late, or not at all, the customer does not distinguish between the brand owner and the supply chain behind it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThere is only one experience\u2014and therefore only one brand.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIn an AI\u2011enabled supply chain, failure is no longer just a risk\u2014it is increasingly a choice.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Weakest Node Defines the Brand\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA brand is now only as strong as its weakest node.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat node may be a supplier, a logistics provider, a fulfillment partner, or a technology platform. Many sit outside the direct control of the brand owner, yet their performance is inseparable from the customer\u2019s perception of the brand.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI makes it possible to identify and address these weak points\u2014but it also makes it more apparent when companies fail to do so.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EImplications for the Supply Chain Ecosystem\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis dynamic extends directly to platform and software providers. In an AI\u2011enabled environment, it is no longer sufficient for supply chain technology to be stable or functionally adequate. It must evolve\u2014continuously\u2014to sense risk earlier, enable better decisions, and improve execution outcomes. If it does not, its limitations will be exposed quickly, and alternatives will emerge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETechnology providers are not insulated by their brand; they are judged by the outcomes they enable. Their brand will strengthen if their platforms improve execution\u2014and erode if they do not.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProduct companies must use AI to protect the customer experience end\u2011to\u2011end. Logistics providers must adopt AI to remain credible partners. Technology providers must evolve their platforms to meet a higher execution standard.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf one part of the system advances while another does not, the gap will be visible\u2014and acted upon quickly.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWinners and losers are being judged daily.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhat This Means for Leaders\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENone of this suggests that brand is no longer important. In high\u2011trust, high\u2011risk environments\u2014contracts, financial transactions, healthcare, and other sensitive use cases\u2014brand remains critical.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven in this environment, trust must be continuously reinforced through performance. Leaders must clearly understand what underpins their brand. Brand is not an asset to be protected; it is the result of consistently delivering on a promise. Any performance gaps must be addressed before others move in. AI\u2011enabled challengers will not challenge strengths\u2014they will target weaknesses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, leaders must elevate their ecosystem. Brand performance is now inseparable from partner performance. That requires greater visibility, tighter integration, and higher expectations\u2014not only internally, but across suppliers, logistics providers, and technology partners.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EOne Question to Answer Now\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis execution dimension is only one part of how AI is reshaping brand\u2014but it is already decisive.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA great product can still win. A strong brand can still endure. But in an AI\u2011driven world, where disruptions can be anticipated and failures mitigated, the margin for error is disappearing.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd in many cases\u2014especially where the purchase is infrequent or the moment is critical\u2014you only get one shot. At the conclusion of our discussion, one participant framed it simply:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat is our secret sauce\u2014and what are we doing to build on it?\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat is the question every supply chain leader should be answering now.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBecause in an AI\u2011enabled world, your brand will be defined by what your system consistently delivers.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAI is transforming supply chains by lowering the cost of building capability and raising execution standards, which forces brands to rely more on consistent performance rather than just historical trust. In this new landscape, a brand\u2019s promise is inseparable from its supply chain\u0027s reliability, as AI-driven data makes operational failures increasingly preventable and less tolerable for customers.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Practical guidance to drive real progress in 2026."}],"uid":"27233","created_gmt":"2026-03-24 14:57:25","changed_gmt":"2026-03-24 19:00:46","author":"Andy Haleblian","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-24T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-24T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679724":{"id":"679724","type":"image","title":"The Future of Brand in an AI-Driven World: A Supply Chain Perspective","body":null,"created":"1774372889","gmt_created":"2026-03-24 17:21:29","changed":"1774372889","gmt_changed":"2026-03-24 17:21:29","alt":"A split-panel conceptual infographic asks a central question: \u0022IN A WORLD OF LOWERED CAPABILITY COSTS, WHERE DOES TRUST LIE: BRAND OR PERFORMANCE?\u0022 The left side, \u0022THE BRAND DIMENSION,\u0022 features a glowing shield on a pedestal with an \u0027X\u0027 logo and lists traits like \u0022TRUST\u0022 and \u0022HERITAGE.\u0022 The right side, \u0022THE PERFORMANCE DIMENSION,\u0022 displays a holographic data interface with metrics like \u0022EXECUTION,\u0022 \u0022RELIABILITY,\u0022 and \u0022PREDICTABILITY.","file":{"fid":"263916","name":"20260324_FutureOfBrandInAnAI-DrivenWorld.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/24\/20260324_FutureOfBrandInAnAI-DrivenWorld.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/24\/20260324_FutureOfBrandInAnAI-DrivenWorld.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":444486,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/24\/20260324_FutureOfBrandInAnAI-DrivenWorld.jpg?itok=DBEaOCed"}},"674087":{"id":"674087","type":"image","title":"Chris Gaffney","body":"\u003Cp\u003EChris Gaffney\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1717067903","gmt_created":"2024-05-30 11:18:23","changed":"1771883375","gmt_changed":"2026-02-23 21:49:35","alt":"Chris Gaffney, Managing Director, Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute","file":{"fid":"257557","name":"chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":129544,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg?itok=_M0fOBTF"}}},"media_ids":["679724","674087"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/news-events\/newsletters","title":"View past SCL newsletters and join our mailing list"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/","title":"Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute"}],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"194489","name":"scl-spot"},{"id":"167074","name":"Supply Chain"},{"id":"187190","name":"-go-gtmi"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["info@scl.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688905":{"#nid":"688905","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Three Sisters on the Same Engineering Path","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EFor Shelley, Allison, and Isabella Larson, industrial engineering isn\u2019t just a field of study; it\u2019s a family calling. The three sisters all pursued the discipline at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E, following the career path their mother blazed before them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe sisters shared that their love of math and science started at a young age, naturally excelling in both subjects throughout middle and high school. That passion was further nurtured at home, where their parents, Maria and Troy Larson, played a central role. After school, they would turn to their mother for help with math homework, a routine that became a foundation for their academic confidence.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cOur mom pushed us, and I think that we\u2019re the better for it. She always pushed us to excel. It was a matter of making sure that we got As. Bs weren\u0027t really quite acceptable,\u201d Shelley explained.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile math and science were always part of their foundation, the field is vast, with countless specializations and career paths that branch off in different directions. Yet all three sisters ended up choosing the same major at the same school. For Allison, the middle sister, the path was partly paved by watching her older sister go first.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSeeing that Shelley kind of made a path, and I knew that it was one that I could take and I could follow, made it very easy. I\u2019m also good at things that she\u0027s good at. Might as well just kind of do what she\u0027s doing. And I think industrial engineering itself. From everything we knew and learned about it, it offered a lot of different opportunities,\u201d Allison said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIsabella echoed those sentiments, adding that having a sibling go through the program first made the experience far less daunting. Many of the unknowns had already been navigated, and once all three were at Tech together, they became an informal support system for one another, helping with coursework, class selections, and the everyday grind of an intense program.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIf I was really struggling with the concept in the particular class, I would always call Allison to help me with my computer science homework, because I just wasn\u2019t able to understand the concept. So it was almost [like] having additional teachers and resources that we could always lean on. Also, just to talk through challenges that we were facing and have an extra support system in that way because they\u0027ve gone through it a couple of years prior,\u201d Isabella explained.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Larsons also found time to build a rich campus life. All three pledged Alpha Delta Pi sorority, finding a close-knit community outside of the classroom. They also each served as resident assistants, an experience they valued for the opportunity to connect with students from all different backgrounds. Allison and Isabella added club tennis to the mix, rounding out lives that were full both academically and socially.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter graduating, the sisters remained in the industrial engineering field but carved out distinct paths. Shelley moved into customer success, Allison into product management, and Isabella into consulting. The drive to keep growing didn\u0027t stop at graduation, either. Shelley later returned to Georgia Tech for her MBA, and Allison came back for a Master of Science in Analytics.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat ambition didn\u0027t emerge in a vacuum. The role models in their lives, chief among them their mother, shaped the women they became. She didn\u0027t simply set high standards for her daughters, she lived them. They grew up knowing her story: how she left Peru at 20 and moved to Michigan without speaking a word of English, building a life through sheer determination. As young girls, the sisters remember watching her rise early every morning to get to work and provide for the family.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cSeeing hard work firsthand, the early mornings and the hard days, she always made it work. And of course, she always prioritized us, but it was just always at the forefront that you have a really hardworking mother,\u201d Isabella said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir mother\u0027s example also carried a deeper message, one about what women are capable of. In a field where female role models have historically been few and far between, the sisters never saw those limitations as barriers. That confidence, in large part, was something their mother imparted in them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cMy mom\u0027s a woman in work, a woman in STEM. She\u0027s always instilled in us that you always work: that it\u0027s your independence,\u201d Shelley said.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThree sisters, all Georgia Tech ISyE alumnae, reflect on how their shared academic journey, tight-knit bond, and the example set by their hardworking mother shaped their careers and their drive to excel.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Three Georgia Tech siblings share how family, engineering, and a mother who didn\u0027t accept anything less than their best shaped who they are today."}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-03-12 19:31:47","changed_gmt":"2026-03-13 14:08:29","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-12T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2026-03-12T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679609":{"id":"679609","type":"image","title":"Shelley, Allison and Isabella Larson","body":null,"created":"1773343914","gmt_created":"2026-03-12 19:31:54","changed":"1773343914","gmt_changed":"2026-03-12 19:31:54","alt":"Shelley, Allison and Isabella Larson","file":{"fid":"263790","name":"Unknown-10.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/Unknown-10.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/12\/Unknown-10.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":157433,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/12\/Unknown-10.jpeg?itok=xTIjMeAF"}}},"media_ids":["679609"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EParker Avery, Student Writing Assistant\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688653":{"#nid":"688653","#data":{"type":"news","title":"XR Seminar Series Spotlights Student Research and Innovation","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/xr.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EADC XR Makerspace\u003C\/a\u003E at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E is launching a new weekly seminar series, \u003Cstrong\u003EXR Bytes\u003C\/strong\u003E, that will spotlight graduate research in extended reality (XR) and bring together scholars from across the Institute to explore immersive technologies.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeginning March 6, the series will take place Fridays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. inside the Makerspace at ISyE Main (115). Georgia Tech graduate students whose research focuses in XR will lead each session, sharing their research and demonstrating how immersive tools are being applied across disciplines.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Makerspace, which \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/news\/new-adc-xr-makerspace-opens-doors-extended-reality\u0022\u003Eopened earlier this year\u003C\/a\u003E, \u0026nbsp;was created to provide students and faculty with access to XR technologies that support research, experimentation, and collaboration. The space is designed not only to advance technical development, but also to help researchers think critically about how immersive tools can visualize information and enhance real-world applications. Makerspace Captain Steven Yoo, shares that the series aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration while showcasing how XR technologies are being applied to real-world research challenges.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe seminar speakers represent a range of schools across the Institute, including computer science, psychology, mechanical engineering, and aerospace engineering. The series schedule and topics include:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMarch 6:\u003C\/strong\u003E Srikanth Tindivanam Varadharajan (Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering) \u003Cem\u003EXR for the Sky: Enhancing UAV and UAM Operations\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMarch 13:\u003C\/strong\u003E Jorge Garcia (ISyE) \u2014 \u003Cem\u003EHuman-in-the-Loop and XR for Context-Rich Industrial Decision-Making\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMarch 20:\u003C\/strong\u003E Hanna Neroj \u0026nbsp;(School of Psychology) \u2014 \u003Cem\u003ESimulating the Future: Experience Prototyping for Emerging Technologies via Multimodal XR\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EApril 3:\u003C\/strong\u003E Prithiv Premkumar (School of Computer Science) \u2014 \u003Cem\u003EMotion, Heart Rate, and Haptics: Using XR Devices for Human Monitoring and Regulation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EApril 10:\u003C\/strong\u003E Seok Joon Kim (George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering) \u2014 \u003Cem\u003EAHEAD of Time: Toward Robots That Behave Like Human Companions\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EApril 17:\u003C\/strong\u003E Alex Yang (School of Computer Science) \u2014 \u003Cem\u003ELitForager: Exploring Multimodal Literature Foraging Strategies in Immersive Sensemaking\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EApril 24:\u003C\/strong\u003E Austin Graves (George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering) \u2014 \u003Cem\u003ERobot-Independent Visual-Tactile XR Teleoperation for Multi-Humanoid Cooperation\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll members of the Institute community are invited to attend the weekly seminars. Those interested in staying informed about future programming can \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/eforms.isye.gatech.edu\/form\/xr-rsvp\u0022\u003ERSVP \u003C\/a\u003Eto join the ADC XR Makerspace mailing list.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe ADC XR Makerspace is launching a weekly, graduate-student-led seminar series highlighting cutting-edge research in extended reality (XR) across the Institute. Held Fridays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., the series features speakers from disciplines including aerospace engineering, computer science, psychology, and mechanical engineering, with topics ranging from UAV and UAM operations to human monitoring and immersive sensemaking.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The ADC XR Makerspace is launching a weekly, graduate-student-led seminar series held Fridays from 12:30\u20131:30 p.m. to showcase interdisciplinary extended reality research across the Institute."}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-03-03 15:57:34","changed_gmt":"2026-03-03 16:52:32","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-03-03T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-03-03T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679504":{"id":"679504","type":"image","title":"XR Bytes","body":"\u003Cp\u003Espeakers for XR Bytes seminar Series\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1772555793","gmt_created":"2026-03-03 16:36:33","changed":"1772556088","gmt_changed":"2026-03-03 16:41:28","alt":"speakers for XR Bytes seminar Series","file":{"fid":"263676","name":"XR-Bytes---Monitor.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/03\/XR-Bytes---Monitor.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/03\/03\/XR-Bytes---Monitor.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":37301,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/03\/03\/XR-Bytes---Monitor.jpg?itok=TtaSiseU"}}},"media_ids":["679504"],"groups":[{"id":"660404","name":"ISyE Extended Reality Makerspace (ISYE XR)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EParker Avery, Student Writing Assistant\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688519":{"#nid":"688519","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Healthcare AI Takes Center Stage at BERD Research Forum","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELeaders in medical research and artificial intelligence gathered at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EH. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering\u003C\/a\u003E (ISyE) for the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, \u0026amp; Research Design (BERD) Research Forum. Part of the Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance (CTSA), BERD provides comprehensive biostatistical and epidemiological support, including study design, data collection and management, and the development and application of statistical methodologies. This year\u2019s forum brought together faculty and students from the University of North Carolina, Emory University, Morehouse School of Medicine, University of Georgia, and Georgia Tech to examine how emerging technologies are enhancing clinical processes and improving patient outcomes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/xiaoming-huo\u0022\u003EXiaoming Huo\u003C\/a\u003E, A. Russell Chandler III Professor in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering and Associate Director for Research in the Institute for Data Engineering and Science (IDEaS), served on the event\u2019s organizing committee. He underscored the importance of collaboration in advancing responsible and effective AI tools for medicine.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThe forum provides an opportunity for collaboration and team forming. This is critical in developing AI tools for medical and health care research,\u201d Huo said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe keynote address was delivered by Hongtu Zhu of UNC, who presented his work on Causal Generalist Medical AI (GMAI). The model integrates multiple data sources to recommend treatments to physicians and incorporates causal reasoning to strengthen reliability. Zhu demonstrated that embedding causal elements into medical AI systems can improve generalizability by supporting evidence-based decision-making rather than relying solely on predictive outputs. He also outlined both growth opportunities and ongoing challenges that must be addressed before GMAI can serve as a robust clinical decision-support tool.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditional presentations highlighted the range of AI applications in health care. Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/directory\/omer-t-inan\u0022\u003EOmer Inan\u003C\/a\u003E of Georgia Tech\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ece.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESchool of Electrical and Computer Engineering \u003C\/a\u003E(ECE) shared research from his lab on AI-enabled wearable technology designed to detect heart conditions. The device he demonstrated uses a vibrometer to measure heart timing and subtle vibrations. AI algorithms then filter the signal to identify abnormalities that may indicate deeper cardiovascular concerns, signals that might otherwise go unnoticed.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents also played a central role in the forum, presenting their research in a poster competition. One project detailed the development of a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) model designed to answer questions about drug interactions and flag potential side effects when incompatible medications are combined. Researchers found that incorporating a RAG framework can reduce AI hallucinations, an especially critical concern in medical contexts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother student team explored how AI can identify candidate proteins that may aid in treating blood cancers. Using data from the Worldwide Protein Data Bank, the researchers trained AI models to predict which proteins could disrupt processes that limit the immune system\u2019s ability to target cancer cells. Given the complexity of protein interactions, AI offers a powerful tool for identifying promising therapeutic pathways that would be difficult to isolate manually.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcross keynote talks and student presentations, BERD illustrated both the breadth and precision of AI applications in medicine. From at-home wearable diagnostics to advanced computational modeling for cancer research, presenters emphasized that AI is already delivering tangible value. At the same time, speakers noted that the field remains in its early stages, with continued collaboration and innovation essential to improving care delivery and advancing healthier outcomes.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ELeaders in medical research and artificial intelligence gathered at the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) for the annual Biostatistics, Epidemiology, \u0026amp; Research Design (BERD) Research Forum.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The forum highlighted how cross-institutional collaboration is advancing the responsible development and application of artificial intelligence to improve healthcare research, clinical decision-making, and patient outcomes."}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-02-25 18:02:18","changed_gmt":"2026-03-02 12:53:18","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-25T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679430":{"id":"679430","type":"image","title":"BERD Forum - Artificial Intelligence in Medical and Healthcare Systems.png","body":null,"created":"1772044595","gmt_created":"2026-02-25 18:36:35","changed":"1772044595","gmt_changed":"2026-02-25 18:36:35","alt":"BERD Forum - Artificial Intelligence in Medical and Healthcare Systems","file":{"fid":"263593","name":"Untitled-design--13-.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/Untitled-design--13-.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/25\/Untitled-design--13-.png","mime":"image\/png","size":3080668,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/25\/Untitled-design--13-.png?itok=zfD9LDoo"}}},"media_ids":["679430"],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EParker Avery, Student Writing Assistant\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688363":{"#nid":"688363","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Putting Points on the Board with AI in Supply Chain","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Chris Gaffney, Managing Director of the Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute, Supply Chain Advisor, and former executive at Frito\u2011Lay, AJC International, and Coca\u2011Cola, and Michael Barnett, Founder and Principal of Synaptic SC, former global leader of Supply Chain AI at BCG, and former executive at Aera Technology and Koch Industries.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEntering 2026, one thing is clear: staying on the sidelines is no longer a viable option. We both agree that 2025 was the last year when being \u201cbehind\u201d on AI adoption could be rationalized. In 2026, leaders cannot stay in the foxhole. They need to move forward, doing so in a way that reduces the risk of failure.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe past two years have been full of promise for AI in supply chain: we have seen impressive pilots, compelling research findings, and no shortage of claims about what agents and large language models can do. At the same time, many supply chain leaders are frustrated; there has been significant activity and investment in centralized capabilities without meaningful results in the supply chain. Too many efforts stall. Too many pilots never scale. Many organizations feel they have kissed a lot of frogs and are still waiting for something that works reliably.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe question for 2026 is no longer whether to engage with AI, but how to do so in a way that consistently delivers results. This is the year to put points on the board through disciplined, repeatable progress rather than moonshots.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ETwo Principles Separate Progress from Experimentation\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcross our work and conversations with supply chain leaders, organizations that are driving tangible results tend to follow two principles, sometimes explicitly, sometimes intuitively:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E1. Leverage GenAI Where It Adds Differential Value\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELarge language models are exceptionally strong at working with language. They summarize, explain, code, and translate intent into logic. This makes them powerful tools for accelerating development, analysis, and communication.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMuch of supply chain execution, however, depends on precision. Planning rates, forecasts, production schedules, routing logic, and inventory policies rely on structured data, mathematical relationships, and deterministic logic. In these environments, hallucinations or probabilistic answers are not just inconvenient. They can be operationally disruptive.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany early failures stem from applying LLMs where deterministic logic is required, rather than using them to support the creation, maintenance, and monitoring of that logic. In practice, GenAI is most effective upstream, helping teams build analytics faster, surface issues earlier, and lower the friction of development and maintenance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E2. Design with People in the Loop\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is not only a philosophical stance. It reflects technical reality. While \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/age-autonomous-supply-chains-here\u0022\u003Erecent research\u003C\/a\u003E shows that collections of agents can outperform humans in controlled settings, production supply chains are not laboratories. They are complex, interconnected processes and organizations that operate in a dynamic, ever-changing environment. In contrast to AI that augments workers, fully autonomous systems introduce risks\u2014technical, organizational, and reputational\u2014that erode the incremental value relative to the increased costs to develop and maintain them.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHuman-in-the-loop is not a concession. It is a design principle.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EFrom Ideation to Error-Proofed Execution\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost supply chain organizations are not short on AI use cases. What they lack are clear, high\u2011probability paths to value creation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA familiar pattern plays out: organizations rush into pilots without a clear view of where AI adds value. Results are mixed and hard to interpret. When early efforts disappoint, leaders become more cautious, not because they doubt AI\u2019s potential, but because they are wary of repeating visible failures.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne executive described this dynamic as being \u0022tired of kissing frogs.\u0022 After aggressively leaning into new technologies early, the organization became skeptical, insisting on external proof and peer validation before investing further.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe more productive question is no longer \u0022What is the most advanced thing we can try?\u0022 but instead: \u0022What can we do today that has a high probability of working, scaling, and building our capabilities?\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EHow to Put Points on the Board in 2026\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcross our experimentation and advisory work, two areas consistently emerge where GenAI is already delivering value.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EEnterprise Productivity: The Safest On-Ramp\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe most reliable progress comes from improving everyday productivity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost organizations take a restrictive approach, limiting AI access to a small group or tightly controlled pilots led by centralized technical teams, only to realize they were slowing learning and adoption across the enterprise. In one large retailer, leadership initially centralized AI use due to security and governance concerns. Over time, they shifted to enterprise licensing that centralized risk management while allowing broader employee access within guardrails.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe result was not chaos or \u0022shadow IT.\u0022 It was productivity: meeting summaries, analysis support, presentation development, and faster access to internal knowledge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese gains may sound modest, but they matter. Giving people five to ten hours per week back changes how employees experience AI. It becomes a tool that helps them do their jobs better, not a signal that their jobs are being automated away.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor leaders, this means actively enabling access to approved tools, supporting skill development, and encouraging experimentation within clear boundaries. This is one of the most straightforward ways to quickly and visibly put points on the board.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003EDecision Intelligence: Rewiring the Operating Model\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdvanced analytics, optimization, and planning systems predate GenAI. What is new is not the math, but rather the speed, accessibility, and maintainability of building and sustaining advanced analytics solutions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGenAI acts as an accelerator. It reduces the friction of writing code, standing up, monitoring logic, and explaining results. It brings advanced capabilities closer to the business, rather than confining them to a small central team.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA concrete example comes from production planning. Planned production rates are often set during commissioning or early ramp up and then reused for long periods. Over time, changes in labor mix, maintenance practices, or product complexity cause actual throughput to drift. Plans continue to run, but they quietly degrade.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn effective implementations, GenAI does not update the planning system autonomously. Instead, it operates adjacent to it. It helps teams build monitoring logic that compares planned versus actual performance, surfaces statistically meaningful drift, and generates candidate adjustments with supporting context. Planners review and approve changes before they are re-ingested into the APS.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe system of record remains intact. Human accountability is preserved. What improves is the speed, frequency, and quality of assumption hygiene, enabling earlier detection of problems before they cascade into service, cost, or inventory issues.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EAvoid Kissing Frogs: Technology and Organizational Choices\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany organizations \u201ckiss frogs\u201d not because the new technology is flawed, but because they are not ready to adopt it.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo avoid this fate, successful efforts often include the following elements:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeverage existing, approved AI platforms rather than onboarding new technologies\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAccelerates time to value\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHelps define the true limitations of your current technology stack to guide future platform selection\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMaximize the value of current systems (e.g., APS, production scheduling software) instead of chasing new applications\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EExisting, complex supply chain software often under-delivers on its promised value\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAI agents and workflows are highly effective at improving master data quality and ensuring planning parameters are accurate\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFoster ideation and solution development with internal teams, while using third parties to accelerate capability building\u2014not to replace it\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMake progress visible by sharing early wins, curating employee-driven experiments, and scaling what works\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChange management is not an option; it must be designed into every aspect of an AI program from the start. When organizations invest heavily in advanced capabilities at the top while doing little to equip everyday employees, the message received is often, \u0022This is happening to you, not for you.\u0022 That perception creates resistance, fear, and organizational drag.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEffective leaders communicate a clear vision for how new capabilities will augment, not replace, their teams, so that scarce human intellect is applied where it adds the most value.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EKey Actions to Win in 2026\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe principles are clear. The opportunity is real. The question now is execution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf 2026 is the year to put points on the board, supply chain leaders must move from experimentation to engineered progress. That begins with clarity.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E1. Define a Multi-Year AI Value Vision\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDevelop a concrete view of how AI will create value in your organization over the next several years. Not a collection of pilots. Not a list of tools. A clear articulation of where and how AI will improve productivity, strengthen decision quality, and increase operational reliability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat vision should:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClarify where AI will augment human decision-making versus automate tasks\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIdentify the business outcomes you expect to improve (service, cost, inventory, resilience, productivity)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGuide decisions on organizational design, platform selection, governance, and partnerships\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEstablish sequencing - what you will enable now versus what must wait\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWithout a defined direction, AI efforts default to software deployment. With it, technology becomes a lever for measurable operational improvement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E2. Enable Broad, Responsible Access\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECapability development accelerates when access is not unnecessarily constrained. Ensure that team members at every level - from executives to frontline planners - have access to approved enterprise AI tools and agent-building capabilities, along with practical training tied to real workflows.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEffective enablement includes:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEnterprise licensing and governance that remove friction while protecting data\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHands-on guidance tied directly to day-to-day supply chain work - reporting, master data cleanup, production monitoring, inventory analysis, schedule validation\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClear operating guardrails that define appropriate data use and boundaries\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELeadership support for responsible experimentation\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERestricting access may feel prudent. In practice, it slows learning and reinforces dependency on centralized teams. Broad enablement builds capability across the organization.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch3\u003E3. Create Local Ideation and Scaling Mechanisms\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDurable progress does not originate only from centralized programs. It often begins at the front line.\u003Cbr\u003ELeaders should create simple, visible mechanisms for individuals and teams to experiment within defined guardrails and to share what they are building.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis includes:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERecurring forums or showcases where teams present working solutions\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECurated libraries of effective prompts, workflows, and agents\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClear channels for submitting ideas and documenting results\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost importantly, organizations must be able to move from local experimentation to scaled adoption. That requires:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIdentifying the strongest minimum viable solutions emerging from the field\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERefining and hardening them into repeatable workflows\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EProductizing and scaling what demonstrably improves performance\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe objective is not activity. It is building capability that compounds over time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese steps are straightforward. They require intention and follow-through. That is what separates durable capability from scattered experimentation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt is not too late to lead. The last several years have provided lessons - technical, organizational, and cultural. Leaders who absorb those lessons and design deliberately for scale will build AI capabilities that strengthen over time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat kind of progress is not flashy. It does not depend on moonshots or fully autonomous systems operating in isolation. It depends on clarity, access, discipline, and accountability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn 2026, novelty will attract attention. Durability will create an advantage.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe organizations that win will not be the ones with the most pilots. They will be the ones who consistently translate AI into measurable operational improvement.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is the year to move from experimentation to engineered results.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPut points on the board.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn 2026, supply chain leaders must move beyond experimentation with AI to achieve consistent, measurable results by focusing on practical, scalable applications that augment human decision-making and improve productivity.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Practical guidance to drive real progress in 2026."}],"uid":"27233","created_gmt":"2026-02-18 17:20:05","changed_gmt":"2026-02-24 00:01:16","author":"Andy Haleblian","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-24T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679399":{"id":"679399","type":"image","title":"AI-Driven Decision Intelligence  Across the Supply Chain","body":null,"created":"1771877803","gmt_created":"2026-02-23 20:16:43","changed":"1772457797","gmt_changed":"2026-03-02 13:23:17","alt":"Illustration of AI-driven supply chain decision intelligence, featuring analytics dashboards and AI\u2011powered insights supporting materials management, production scheduling, inventory management, transportation, and demand planning.","file":{"fid":"263562","name":"bnr-CM-AI-DrivenDecisionIntelligence_1024x1024.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/23\/bnr-CM-AI-DrivenDecisionIntelligence_1024x1024.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/23\/bnr-CM-AI-DrivenDecisionIntelligence_1024x1024.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":163591,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/23\/bnr-CM-AI-DrivenDecisionIntelligence_1024x1024.jpg?itok=Cmb-KmGb"}},"674087":{"id":"674087","type":"image","title":"Chris Gaffney","body":"\u003Cp\u003EChris Gaffney\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1717067903","gmt_created":"2024-05-30 11:18:23","changed":"1771883375","gmt_changed":"2026-02-23 21:49:35","alt":"Chris Gaffney, Managing Director, Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute","file":{"fid":"257557","name":"chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":129544,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg?itok=_M0fOBTF"}},"679403":{"id":"679403","type":"image","title":"Michael Barnett","body":null,"created":"1771883408","gmt_created":"2026-02-23 21:50:08","changed":"1771883408","gmt_changed":"2026-02-23 21:50:08","alt":"Michael Barnett","file":{"fid":"263563","name":"Barnett-Michael-2022.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/23\/Barnett-Michael-2022.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/23\/Barnett-Michael-2022.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":21649,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/23\/Barnett-Michael-2022.jpg?itok=RzHA96wO"}}},"media_ids":["679399","674087","679403"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/news-events\/newsletters","title":"View past SCL newsletters and join our mailing list"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/","title":"Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute"}],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"194489","name":"scl-spot"},{"id":"167074","name":"Supply Chain"},{"id":"187190","name":"-go-gtmi"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["info@scl.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688068":{"#nid":"688068","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Yao Xie Selected as a Member of the New Voices Cohort at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EYao Xie, Coca-Cola Foundation Chair and\u0026nbsp;Professor\u0026nbsp;in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE),\u0026nbsp;has been selected to join the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine\u2019s\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nationalacademies.org\/programs\/PGA-OFS-17-02\u0022 title=\u0022https:\/\/www.nationalacademies.org\/programs\/PGA-OFS-17-02\u0022\u003ENew Voices in Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eprogram\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ENew Voices is a highly competitive, merit-based program that expands the expertise engaged in the work of the National Academies while cultivating a national network of emerging STEM leaders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/yao-xie\u0022\u003EXie\u003C\/a\u003E is one of 20 mid-career scientists, engineers, and medical professionals in the 2026\u20132028 cohort. Her research develops statistical and computational foundations for sequential inference, high-dimensional change-point detection, robust decision-making under uncertainty,\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Eand\u0026nbsp;generative modeling for inference and decision-making, with applications in public safety,\u0026nbsp;power grid\u0026nbsp;resilience, and biomedical and health systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuring her two-year term, Xie will have the opportunity to contribute to National Academies\u2019 consensus studies and convening activities, collaborate on interdisciplinary projects, and engage with peers to address critical national and global challenges. Cohort members meet monthly in virtual sessions and gather twice annually for in-person meetings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI am honored to join the New Voices program and to contribute perspectives from statistics, data science, machine learning, and operations research to the National Academies\u2019 work on AI and public decision-making,\u201d said Xie.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENew Voices members are supported by National Academies staff and guided by an advisory committee of senior leaders. They include elected members of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Medicine, as well as program alumni.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith the addition of the 2026 cohort, the New Voices network now includes 80 members across four cohorts. Alumni of the program have gone on to serve on dozens of National Academies committees and to represent U.S. mid-career STEM perspectives at major national and international events.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EXie will be the third Georgia Tech faculty member to participate in New Voices. Lauren Stewart (School of Civil and Environmental Engineering) and Omar Asensio (School of Public Policy) served in previous cohorts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cNow more than ever, we need to nurture the next generation of talented American researchers, who are the future leaders of the U.S. science and innovation enterprise,\u201d said Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EYao Xie\u003Cstrong\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/strong\u003Ehas been selected as one of 20 outstanding mid-career leaders nationwide to join the National Academies\u2019 New Voices in Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2026\u20132028 cohort.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"The two-year leadership program connects emerging STEM leaders to national policy, collaboration, and consensus-building efforts."}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-02-06 15:31:08","changed_gmt":"2026-02-16 16:03:13","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-06T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-06T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679211":{"id":"679211","type":"image","title":"Yao Xie, Coca-Cola Foundation Chair and Professor, ISyE","body":null,"created":"1770393922","gmt_created":"2026-02-06 16:05:22","changed":"1770393922","gmt_changed":"2026-02-06 16:05:22","alt":"Yao Xie, Coca-Cola Foundation Chair and Professor, ISyE","file":{"fid":"263343","name":"img8872.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/06\/img8872_0.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/06\/img8872_0.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":231678,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/06\/img8872_0.jpg?itok=LpGblXjW"}}},"media_ids":["679211"],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188776","name":"go-research"},{"id":"187915","name":"go-researchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EErin Whitlock Brown, Communications Manager II\u003Cbr\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"688262":{"#nid":"688262","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Supply Chain Delivers the Love on Valentine\u2019s Day ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAcross the nation, millions will look for meaningful ways to celebrate their special someone on Valentine\u2019s Day, whether through flowers, candy, greeting cards, or a dinner out. Behind each thoughtful gesture, however, lies a complex challenge: allocating resources and coordinating supply chains to ensure everyone can give and receive love in the ways they value most.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBusinesses depend on strong supply chain expertise to keep Valentine\u2019s Day running smoothly. While overall demand mirrors other holiday periods, certain products like flowers, candy, and cards see sharp spikes, and these peaks can ripple across other goods and services as well.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECandy\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECandy makers are well-versed in navigating peak sales periods throughout the year, but holidays like Valentine\u2019s Day bring a distinct set of challenges. Beyond meeting higher demand, manufacturers must redesign packaging and, in some cases, reshape products (think heart-shaped candies and festive wrapping) to capture the spirit of the season and stand out on store shelves.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo make this transition seamless, many large companies treat the holiday as an innovation cycle, assigning dedicated teams to plan months in advance. These teams develop new packaging designs and product variations while ensuring changes integrate smoothly into existing production schedules and supply chain operations.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cFor Reese\u2019s to make a tree versus a bunny versus a heart. They figured that out. That\u0027s kind of in the final element of actually bringing, in their case, the peanut butter and the chocolate together. So it\u0027s going to run in an existing production facility. It may even run on an existing production line with some very unique change parts that would be unique for that physical product,\u201d explained \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/james-gaffney\u0022\u003EChris Gaffney\u003C\/a\u003E, managing director of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003ESupply Chain and Logistics Institute\u003C\/a\u003E and academic program director in \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pe.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Professional Education\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFlowers\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EDemand for flowers operates differently than demand for products like candy. While there are predictable peaks around holidays such as Valentine\u2019s Day, demand also rises and falls throughout the year. Growers must determine weeks in advance how many flowers to plant, carefully balancing the risk of overproduction with the need to meet customer demand at precisely the right moment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo make these decisions, growers invest significant resources in building accurate and reliable forecasts. Historical sales data offers a logical starting point, providing insight into seasonal patterns and prior performance. But past demand can only serve as a guide. Economic conditions, consumer confidence, and shifting purchasing behaviors all influence how many flowers customers ultimately buy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EForecasting is becoming increasingly complex. Research from the Federal Reserve Bank has shown that consumers\u2019 perceptions of the economy are growing more disconnected from their actual household financial situations. That misalignment makes traditional indicators less dependable. As a result, forecasters are turning to new metrics and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to analyze massive volumes of data and uncover hidden patterns.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cThis is where we get into machine learning. You have people who will get 10,000 different data streams, cash register spending, other things that might be correlating events and try to sit here and say, can I create a machine learning model that predicts [demand] better?\u201d Gaffney said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERestaurants\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe restaurant industry thrives on filling every available seat, and there\u2019s rarely much extra capacity to spare. This year, restaurants may get a small reprieve, as Valentine\u2019s Day falls on a weekend. Diners are more likely to spread out their visits throughout the day, rather than all arriving at once after work, easing the typical rush and helping restaurants manage demand more smoothly.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECaregivers\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EPerhaps even more lucrative, Gaffney explained, is the babysitting market. With a limited number of sitters available, rates can soar on Valentine\u2019s Day, and anyone willing and able to work can expect to earn significantly more than usual.\u003Cbr\u003E\u003Cbr\u003E\u201cThe really interesting hedging might be the babysitter; responsible kids older than 18 who could stay out late or a high school kid who can stay out until 1:00 in the morning. A very reliable babysitter might make a lot of money on a day and might have to be booked in advance for Valentine\u0027s Day,\u201d Gaffney said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs millions celebrate Valentine\u2019s Day with flowers, candy, cards, and dinners out, businesses must carefully manage demand spikes and coordinate supply chains to keep love (and key goods and services) flowing smoothly.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"In February, businesses face the complex challenge of managing demand spikes and coordinating supply chains to keep goods and services flowing smoothly."}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-02-15 01:33:18","changed_gmt":"2026-02-16 15:12:48","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-14T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-14T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679282":{"id":"679282","type":"image","title":"Supply Chain and Valentine\u0027s Day","body":null,"created":"1771250395","gmt_created":"2026-02-16 13:59:55","changed":"1771250395","gmt_changed":"2026-02-16 13:59:55","alt":"Supply Chain and Valentine\u0027s Day","file":{"fid":"263420","name":"Valentine-s-Day-Logistics.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/16\/Valentine-s-Day-Logistics.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/16\/Valentine-s-Day-Logistics.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":48592,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/16\/Valentine-s-Day-Logistics.jpg?itok=EXey6GlP"}},"679283":{"id":"679283","type":"image","title":"Supply Chain and Valentine\u0027s Day","body":null,"created":"1771250533","gmt_created":"2026-02-16 14:02:13","changed":"1771250533","gmt_changed":"2026-02-16 14:02:13","alt":"Supply Chain and Valentine\u0027s Day","file":{"fid":"263421","name":"Headshots-Remove-Background--2-.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/16\/Headshots-Remove-Background--2-.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/16\/Headshots-Remove-Background--2-.png","mime":"image\/png","size":1915450,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/16\/Headshots-Remove-Background--2-.png?itok=qccUJ34j"}}},"media_ids":["679282","679283"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EParker Avery, Writing Assistant\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687957":{"#nid":"687957","#data":{"type":"news","title":"New ADC XR Makerspace Opens Doors to Extended Reality","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECurious students, faculty, and staff gathered on the first floor of the ISyE Main Building to celebrate the opening of a new interdisciplinary hub for immersive technologies in research, education, and human-centered engineering. On January 23, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/xr.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAllen-Davidson-Coleman (ADC) XR Makerspace\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E opened its doors with a mission to expand access to a wide range of extended reality (XR) tools for the ISyE community.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Makerspace offers a wide range of equipment to support XR projects and experimentation, including Apple and Meta headsets, augmented reality glasses, haptic gloves, motion-tracking cameras, and 3D printers, enabling student and faculty research and exploration in extended reality.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EXR is an umbrella term encompassing everything that merges physical and virtual worlds. It includes augmented reality (where digital objects are added to the physical world), mixed reality (where digital elements can interact with the physical world), and virtual reality (which uses a completely virtual environment). \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dongwooyoo\/\u0022\u003ESteven Yoo\u003C\/a\u003E, graduate student and XR Captain who leads a team of five other student crew members who will operate the Makerspace, said that exploring XR in an industrial engineering context enables a more human-centered approach, allowing engineers to better understand how real people interact with their design solutions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cBeing focused on optimization, mathematics, and operations research is great, and that can be proven in the theoretical world. But we wanted to emphasize and cover the application and see if our model actually succeeds whatever the case is that industry needs,\u201d Yoo said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo mark the opening, PhD students led an open-house showcase featuring XR projects that encouraged attendees to try on headsets, interact with immersive environments, and experience the virtual worlds they had built.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sites.gatech.edu\/lanns\/people\/shae-cole\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EShae Cole\u003C\/a\u003E, a Nuclear Engineering graduate student, shared a mixed-reality application he and his teammates made in the makerspace. In the application, the user could pick up a virtual wand and use it to locate an unknown radiation source by following where the wand produced the highest readings on a Geiger counter. Cole said that his application could be adapted for use in training or research, to assist those who work with radiation.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERobotics graduate student, Chuizheng Kong\u003Cstrong\u003E, \u003C\/strong\u003Eutilized motion-tracking capabilities with virtual reality headsets. He was able to track a human\u0027s motion and transfer it to a humanoid robot, overcoming the challenge of manually controlling each of the dozens of robot motors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile many of the projects displayed were proof-of-concepts for more robust use cases in industry, it underscored Yoo\u2019s sentiment of interdisciplinary and real-world applications.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cI think that what ISyE does really well is looking at the application base. You saw [projects], between robotics, healthcare, and assembly. And I think that\u0027s where part of an interdisciplinary field that we\u0027re in this department specifically,\u201d Yoo said.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGoing forward, Yoo shared that the ultimate goal is to push XR into new realms and cement the idea that Georgia Tech is the place to do research and work in XR. He hopes the space will provide a space for people to invent, see their theoretical models come to life, and provide a leading community of XR creators.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDesigned for curiosity, collaboration, and creativity, the ADC XR Makerspace is open to anyone for classwork, research, or exploration. Guided by experienced student leaders and supported by faculty leadership from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/mohsen-moghaddam\u0022\u003EMohsen Moghaddam\u003C\/a\u003E (director), \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/alan-erera\u0022\u003EAlan Erera\u003C\/a\u003E (strategic advisor), and faculty advisors \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/frederick-benaben\u0022\u003EFrederick Benaben\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.isye.gatech.edu\/users\/benoit-montreuil\u0022\u003EBenoit Montreuil\u003C\/a\u003E, the space is built to encourage curiosity and collaboration.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo learn more about the ADC XR Makerspace, click \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/xr.isye.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAt the opening, ISyE students, faculty and researchers brought the space to life with an open-house showcase of XR projects, inviting attendees to slip on headsets and step directly into virtual worlds they had created.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"On January 23, The Allen-Davidson-Coleman (ADC) XR Makerspace welcomed the ISyE community, by providing access to a wide range of extended reality (XR) tools. "}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-02-02 22:06:11","changed_gmt":"2026-02-04 18:48:10","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-02-02T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679167":{"id":"679167","type":"image","title":"XRMakerspaceGO","body":null,"created":"1770068338","gmt_created":"2026-02-02 21:38:58","changed":"1770068463","gmt_changed":"2026-02-02 21:41:03","alt":"Students in the ISyE Allen-Davidson-Coleman XR Makerspace lab","file":{"fid":"263296","name":"XRMakerspaceGO2.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/XRMakerspaceGO2.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/XRMakerspaceGO2.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":98191,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/02\/XRMakerspaceGO2.jpg?itok=YjxEErze"}},"679169":{"id":"679169","type":"image","title":"ADC XR Makerspace Grand Opening.jpg","body":null,"created":"1770070669","gmt_created":"2026-02-02 22:17:49","changed":"1770070669","gmt_changed":"2026-02-02 22:17:49","alt":"AD XR Makerspace Grand Opening","file":{"fid":"263297","name":"IMG_5496.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/IMG_5496.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/IMG_5496.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":178210,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/02\/IMG_5496.jpg?itok=LYwJAATX"}},"679170":{"id":"679170","type":"image","title":"ADC XR Makerspace Grand Opening.jpg","body":null,"created":"1770070745","gmt_created":"2026-02-02 22:19:05","changed":"1770070745","gmt_changed":"2026-02-02 22:19:05","alt":"ADC XR Makerspace Grand Opening","file":{"fid":"263298","name":"IMG_5363.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/IMG_5363.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/02\/02\/IMG_5363.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":174907,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/02\/02\/IMG_5363.jpg?itok=IydeIEE6"}}},"media_ids":["679167","679169","679170"],"groups":[{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"194701","name":"go-resarchnews"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EParker Avery, Communications Writing Assistant\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687231":{"#nid":"687231","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Tech Square 3 Reaches Major Milestone","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETech Square 3, officially named George Tower | Scheller Tower, will reach a major milestone on Monday, Jan. 12, offering the campus community access to the first three floors of the new facility.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt will be open during the week from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with the following amenities available to students, faculty, and staff:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA main lobby with a student-staffed information desk.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EKaldi\u2019s Coffee, opening Tuesday, Jan. 20.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe Porch, a street-level gathering area with kinetic doorways opening along Fifth Street.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA cantilevered monumental stairway, a signature architectural element connecting the lobby to the second floor.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E11 classrooms across the second and third floors.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHuddle rooms and conference rooms.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERead the full story \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/news\/2026\/01\/07\/tech-square-3-reaches-major-milestone\u0022 rel=\u0022noopener noreferrer\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022(opens in a new window)\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EBeginning \u003Cstrong\u003EMonday, January 12\u003C\/strong\u003E, the first three floors will officially open, offering students, faculty, staff, and visitors access to newly designed spaces that support learning, collaboration, and connection. This initial opening represents the first phase of activation for the building, inviting the campus community to experience the vision and possibilities of George Tower | Scheller Tower as it comes to life.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Officially named George Tower | Scheller Tower, the first three floors of the new facility open to the campus community Monday, Jan. 12."}],"uid":"36736","created_gmt":"2026-01-12 21:39:14","changed_gmt":"2026-01-26 20:56:23","author":"ebrown386","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-12T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-12T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678966":{"id":"678966","type":"image","title":"George Tower","body":null,"created":"1768254041","gmt_created":"2026-01-12 21:40:41","changed":"1768254041","gmt_changed":"2026-01-12 21:40:41","alt":"George Tower","file":{"fid":"263069","name":"26-R10410-P58-002-Web-Use---1-000px-Wide.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/26-R10410-P58-002-Web-Use---1-000px-Wide.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/12\/26-R10410-P58-002-Web-Use---1-000px-Wide.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":531553,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/12\/26-R10410-P58-002-Web-Use---1-000px-Wide.jpg?itok=cb8YbFVr"}}},"media_ids":["678966"],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39541","name":"Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}},"687599":{"#nid":"687599","#data":{"type":"news","title":"A Winter Beach Read for Supply Chain Minds: Why \u0022The Thinking Machine\u0022 Is Worth Your Time","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBy Chris Gaffney, Managing Director, Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute | Supply Chain Advisor | Former Executive at Frito-Lay, AJC International, and Coca-Cola\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPeople often ask me a simple question: \u201cYou always recommend a good book to read; what have you read lately?\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI usually give them my version of a money-back guarantee. I haven\u2019t had to pay up yet!\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Thinking-Machine-Jensen-Coveted-Microchip\/dp\/0593832698\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe Thinking Machine\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Stephen Witt\u2019s book on Jensen Huang and NVIDIA, is one of those recommendations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s a fast, engaging read that packs a lot of insight into a book you can finish in just a couple of days. It\u2019s also one of the most interesting books I\u2019ve read this past year out of a stack of twenty or thirty. Most importantly for my world, it\u2019s a book from which supply chain students, young professionals, and senior leaders can all take something different.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat many supply chain readers may not realize is that NVIDIA\u2019s story is, at its core, a case study in supply chain design, constraint management, and long-horizon system building played out on a global stage.\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis book matters to me because it pulls back the curtain on the largest technology shift impacting supply chains this century. It shows it not just as a technology story, but as a supply chain, leadership, and ethics story hiding in plain sight.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EMore Than a Tech Book\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn the surface, this is a story about GPUs, artificial intelligence, and one of the most important technology companies in the world. But underneath, it\u2019s really a story about context: how ideas evolve, how industries form, and how long-term decisions compound over decades.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou don\u2019t need to be an engineer to enjoy it. By the time you\u2019re done, you\u2019ll have a much better grasp of:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003Ewhy chips matter,\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003Ewhy AI depends on physical infrastructure,\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003Eand why supply chains quietly shape what\u2019s possible.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat combination makes the book especially relevant for anyone building a career in supply chain, operations, or industrial leadership.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EThe Immigrant Story \u2014 Still Worth Protecting\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the most powerful threads running through the book is Jensen Huang\u2019s immigrant story.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis family worked hard to come to the United States. He grew up in modest circumstances, and through persistence, opportunity, and relentless effort, he helped build a company with global impact.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor many of our ancestors, this story feels familiar. For many who come to the U.S. today, it still represents hope. The book serves as a quiet reminder that this pathway from modest beginnings to meaningful contribution is not accidental; it is something that needs to be protected.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe United States is far from perfect, but it remains a remarkable place to innovate and to start businesses. Supply chains are both a driver of that innovation and a beneficiary of the new ideas that emerge.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA Startup Story With Real Twists and Turns\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe founding of NVIDIA is not a clean, linear success story.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe original big idea wasn\u2019t necessarily the one that ultimately \u201cwon,\u201d and the initial target market wasn\u2019t always the right one. The company faced near-death moments, pivots, resets, and more than a few reasons to walk away.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor students and young professionals considering startups, whether founding one or joining one, this book offers a realistic picture of what that path looks like. It reinforces a few hard truths:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003Ethe probability of failure is high,\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003Ethe work ethic required is enormous,\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003Eand the rewards, if they come, often come much later.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI often describe this as a \u201cone scoop now, two scoops later\u201d dynamic. Early effort is rarely rewarded proportionally; patience matters more than hype.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EInnovation Is a Team Sport\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile Jensen Huang is clearly the centerpiece of the book, one of its strengths is that it avoids treating innovation as a solo act.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany other players, sometimes knowingly and sometimes unwittingly, contributed research, ideas, and decisions that ultimately shaped where we sit today. The book does a good job showing how progress builds through layers of contribution, often across institutions and generations.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis matters, especially for students and early-career professionals. Breakthroughs rarely come from a single moment or a single person; they come from systems that allow ideas to accumulate and translate into real-world application.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EFrom Basic Engineering to Neural Networks\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESeveral chapters walk through the literal evolution of the technology, and this is where the book is both accessible and impressive.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven if you can only \u201cjust barely hang on\u201d technically, the narrative is clear: today\u2019s AI capabilities are the result of layered progress. Hardware advances built on earlier hardware, software abstractions built on earlier software, and research findings translated into application over time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMany of the contributors moved fluidly between academia and industry, reinforcing a core lesson: foundational science and engineering still matter. For those of us who remember an analog world, it\u2019s fascinating to see how decades of incremental progress led to the current state and potential of AI.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA Supply Chain Story Hiding in Plain Sight\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom a supply chain perspective, The \u003Cem\u003EThinking Machine\u003C\/em\u003E reads like a case study hiding in plain sight.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENVIDIA is an American innovation success story that is, at the same time, deeply dependent on global supply chains. Its relationship with TSMC in Taiwan, the scarcity of advanced manufacturing capacity, the national security implications of certain chips, and the need to serve global markets all create a complex and fragile operating reality.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the quieter but most powerful lessons in the book is how much supply chain design matters. Product success here isn\u2019t just about better ideas; it\u2019s about how effectively those ideas are translated into scalable, resilient, global systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI may feel digital, but its limits are profoundly physical.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ELeadership Results \u2014 and a Real Paradox\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe book also forces an uncomfortable but important leadership conversation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJensen Huang is demanding, intense, and uncompromising. While the results are undeniable, I don\u2019t advocate for many aspects of his leadership style. I believe similar outcomes could be achieved without subjecting employees to public humiliation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResults matter, but how we get them matters too.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReading this book reminded me that some of the most valuable leadership lessons I\u2019ve learned came from watching both how to lead and how not to lead. I\u2019ve had bosses who modeled the kind of leader I wanted to become, and a few who taught me just as much by showing me what I wanted to avoid. Both experiences have been valuable.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat tension is worth sitting with, especially for those mentoring the next generation of leaders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EComputer Vision, GPUs, and Adaptability\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EComputer vision plays a supporting role in the story: not the headline act, but an important early driver. Graphics and vision workloads helped shape GPU architectures long before today\u2019s generative AI boom.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOver time, those architectures generalized to support a wide range of parallel computation, including neural networks. It\u2019s a reminder that technologies often succeed not because of a single application, but because they are flexible enough to evolve.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EEthics, Uncertainty, and Responsibility\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinally, the book leaves us with unresolved questions, and that may be its most honest contribution.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI is resource-intensive, it will reshape work and livelihoods, and it raises real ethical concerns. Opinions vary widely on whether this moment resembles past industrial revolutions or represents something fundamentally different.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI teach and advocate for the application of AI, but I personally struggle with these ethical dilemmas. Rather than avoid them, I try to address them head-on by highlighting the risks and encouraging students to stay informed so they can be voices for responsible, positive use.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn today\u2019s global and regulatory environment, it\u2019s unrealistic to expect a pause in research or application. Education, not avoidance, may be the most practical form of governance we have.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe can\u2019t guarantee how this plays out over the next decade, but we can prepare.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EWhy I Keep Recommending This Book\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you\u2019re a supply chain student looking for context, a young professional navigating career choices, or a senior leader trying to understand how AI, supply chains, leadership, and ethics intersect, this is a book worth your time.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s engaging, timely, and surprisingly human.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd when someone asks me, \u201cWhat are you reading?\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is the book I\u2019ll keep recommending.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Cem\u003EThinking Machine\u003C\/em\u003E succeeds because it reminds us that behind AI are people, supply chains, and long-term decisions, all operating under real constraints. That\u2019s a lesson worth revisiting as we set the pace for the months ahead.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EA Closing Question\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis book highlights traditional supply chain constraints that NVIDIA faced in its growth journey, such as single source supply, perceived lead times, capacity at key suppliers, demand volatility, and talent gaps. Where have you seen or faced these, and how have you and your company navigated them?\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ERecommended for supply chain professionals and leaders seeking insight into the real-world impact of technology and strategic decision-making, the book examines how NVIDIA\u2019s ascent under Jensen Huang revolutionized both technology and supply chain management through a focus on parallel computing and robust global networks. It delves into the convergence of AI, supply chain strategy, leadership, and ethics, illustrating how long-term vision and adaptability positioned NVIDIA at the forefront of artificial intelligence and industry transformation.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Recommended for supply chain professionals and leaders seeking insight into the real-world impact of technology and strategic decision-making."}],"uid":"27233","created_gmt":"2026-01-22 17:11:15","changed_gmt":"2026-01-24 13:34:01","author":"Andy Haleblian","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2026-01-23T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2026-01-23T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"679064":{"id":"679064","type":"image","title":"Why \u0022The Thinking Machine\u0022 Is Worth Your Time","body":null,"created":"1769109710","gmt_created":"2026-01-22 19:21:50","changed":"1769109710","gmt_changed":"2026-01-22 19:21:50","alt":"Why \u0022The Thinking Machine\u0022 Is Worth Your Time","file":{"fid":"263180","name":"TheThinkingMachineWinterRead_1024px.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/22\/TheThinkingMachineWinterRead_1024px.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2026\/01\/22\/TheThinkingMachineWinterRead_1024px.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":170407,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2026\/01\/22\/TheThinkingMachineWinterRead_1024px.jpg?itok=7OdKoHNw"}},"674087":{"id":"674087","type":"image","title":"Chris Gaffney","body":"\u003Cp\u003EChris Gaffney\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1717067903","gmt_created":"2024-05-30 11:18:23","changed":"1771883375","gmt_changed":"2026-02-23 21:49:35","alt":"Chris Gaffney, Managing Director, Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute","file":{"fid":"257557","name":"chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":129544,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/05\/30\/chris-gaffney_scl.jpg?itok=_M0fOBTF"}}},"media_ids":["679064","674087"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/news-events\/newsletters","title":"View past SCL newsletters and join our mailing list"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.scl.gatech.edu\/","title":"Georgia Tech Supply Chain and Logistics Institute"}],"groups":[{"id":"1250","name":"Center for Health and Humanitarian Systems (CHHS)"},{"id":"1242","name":"School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISYE)"},{"id":"1243","name":"The Supply Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL)"}],"categories":[{"id":"194606","name":"Artificial Intelligence"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"145","name":"Engineering"}],"keywords":[{"id":"2556","name":"artificial intelligence"},{"id":"194489","name":"scl-spot"},{"id":"167074","name":"Supply Chain"},{"id":"187190","name":"-go-gtmi"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39461","name":"Manufacturing, Trade, and Logistics"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["info@scl.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}