Optimality Gap: Recent Episodes
Clemson University INFORMS Student Chapter
Many students may start graduate school with a vague idea about areas they would like to study, or perhaps a few general research questions. Join us, the Clemson University INFORMS Student Chapter, each Tuesday and Friday as we interview different OR faculties from across campus to talk about research in graduate school. If you want to conduct excellent research and learn what the different OR faculties at Clemson University are working on, or simply want to excel in graduate school – this show is for you.
Dr. David Morton is the Walter P. Murphy Professor of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences at Northwestern University and an INFORMS fellow. He holds a B.S. degree in mathematics and physics from Stetson University and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Stanford University. Prior to joining Northwestern, he was on the faculty at the University of Texas at Austin and worked as a Fulbright Research Scholar at Charles University in Prague and as a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow in the OR Department at the Naval Postgraduate School. Dr. Morton has received several honors and awards, including the George E. Nicholson Paper Prize, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, and the INFORMS Graduate Teaching Award.
In this podcast episode, Dr. Morton explores his research in stochastic and large-scale optimization, applied to areas such as public health, security, and energy systems. He expresses enthusiasm for effectively communicating risk and uncertainty in public health, bridging the gap between operations research and computer science communities, and improving decision-making within broader communities. Dr. Morton advises graduate students to prioritize communication and connections, fostering collaborations with peers to address real-world optimization problems.
To learn more about Dr. Morton, make sure to visit his personal website and his Google Scholar page.
Dr. Dan Li is an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Clemson University. She received her PhD in industrial engineering and Master’s in statistics from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2021 and 2020, respectively. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, in 2015. She has recently been awarded many research grants, for instance, the most recent National Science Foundation grant for her collaborative project on Human-Centered Cybersecurity in Robotic Surgery.
In this podcast episode, Dr. Li discusses her research interests, encompassing applied statistics for cyber-physical security and resilience, online anomaly detection, complex system modeling for Internet of Things-enabled manufacturing and energy systems, as well as the application of machine learning in quality, reliability, and control. Additionally, she provides valuable advice for graduate students on proactively managing their careers, emphasizing the importance of seeking out opportunities and prioritizing self-care. For new PhD students, Dr. Li recommends gaining hands-on research experience to explore their interest in their potential adviser's research area.
To learn more about Dr. Li, make sure to visit her personal website and her Google Scholar page. You can also follow her on X (formerly known as Twitter) @LiDan_IE.
Dr. Ozlem Ergun is the College of Engineering Distinguished Professor and Associate Chair for Graduate Studies in mechanical and industrial engineering at Northeastern University. She began her educational journey with her bachelor’s degree in operations research and industrial engineering from Cornell University and earned her PhD in operations research from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Ergun was recently elected as an INFORMS fellow and honored with the Franz Edelman Prize from INFORMS.
In this podcast episode, Dr. Ergun shares valuable insights from her research, which revolves around the design and management of large-scale and decentralized networks. Her work aims to enhance the resilience of critical systems and optimize supply chains, including those in transportation, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.
She also discusses her experiences working with organizations to develop data-driven solutions, highlighting the importance of building relationships and trust over time. Emphasizing the significance of passion and teamwork in research, Dr. Ergun suggests that pursuing a topic one is passionate about and collaborating with individuals with complementary skills can lead to more effective and enjoyable research experiences and much more.
To learn more about Dr. Ergun, make sure to visit her personal website and her Google Scholar page.
Starting graduate school is like embarking on an exciting adventure, and it can be a bit overwhelming. But no need to be scared.
Welcome to "Optimality Gap" Season 2, our podcast that makes Operations Research and Management Science easy to understand. Whether you're a student looking for inspiration or practical advice, we are here for you.
Join us, the Clemson University INFORMS Student Chapter. With our hosts, engage in conversations with experts from Clemson University and other top institutions. You'll explore cutting-edge research, gain valuable insights, and uncover the keys to conducting research in your graduate school journey.
No matter where you are in your academic pursuits, we are here to help you find your way to success.
Dr. Boshi Yang is an Assistant Professor in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at Clemson University. Dr. Yang has a BS in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics which he received from Zhejiang University in 2010, and he received his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematical and Computational Sciences from the University of Iowa in 2015.
Dr. Yang’s research focuses on Quadratically Constrained Quadratic Programming, Conic Optimization, and Mixed Integer Quadratic Programming. He has several scientific papers and he is the winner of the Faculty Teaching Award in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences in 2020. He was also the winner of the Outstanding Service to Graduate Students award offered by the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences in 2019.
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Yang talks about his journey into Operations research. He also talks about different aspects of his research; one of the most important things to keep in mind when approaching in maths problem; and what advice he would give to graduate students to navigate the research process.
To learn more about Dr. Yang, make sure to visit his personal website and his google scholar page. You can also follow him on Twitter @BoshiYang.
Dr. Scott Mason is a Professor & Fluor Endowed Chair in Supply Chain Optimization & Logistics in the Industrial Engineering at Clemson University. Dr. Mason has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin with Honors, an MS in Operations Research from The University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering Arizona State University.
Dr. Mason’s research areas are Modeling and analysis of large-scale supply chain and manufacturing systems, Applied operations research with an emphasis in mathematical and heuristic optimization, and Domain expertise in capital projects, transportation logistics, semiconductor manufacturing, and service industries. Dr. Mason has recently joined Amazon in a full-time position to tackle some of the industry’s biggest supply chain challenges in the industry.
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Mason gives several insights into: (i) his research; (ii) being in the industry; (iii) working for Amazon; (iv) work-life balance, and much more.
To learn more about Dr. Mason, make sure to visit his personal website and his Google Scholar page. You can also follow him on Twitter @scottmasonphd.
This episode of the podcast features advice from a recent Clemson Industrial Engineering (IE) alumni, Dr. Rob Curry. Dr. Curry is currently an Assistant Professor in the Mathematics Department at the United States Naval Academy (USNA). Before receiving his Ph.D. from Clemson IE department in 2018, Dr. Curry received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 2013 and an M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Florida in 2014. Dr. Curry's research concentrates on the methodology and algorithmic approaches in network optimization, combinatorial optimization, and integer programming. In particular, he studies exact algorithms for solving large-scale network flow optimization problems having applications in energy systems, transportation, and logistics systems, evacuation planning, and humanitarian logistics.
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Curry gives several insights into his life as a faculty after graduating from Clemson's IE department including his research on wireless sensor networks. He also talks about; (i) the skills which were helpful for him as a student; (ii) why he chose to work in academia over the industry; (iii) how he knew that USNA was the right fit for him; (iv) how his perspective change from being a student to being a faculty; and (v) how can someone prepare for working in academia.
To learn more about Dr. Curry and his research, make sure to visit his personal website and his Google Scholar page. You can also follow him on Twitter @rob_m_curry.
Dr. Yongjia Song is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering (IE) at Clemson University. Dr. Song has a B.S. in Computational Mathematics from Peking University, an M.S. in Computer Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.S., and a Ph.D. in Operations Research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Song has been part of the Clemson IE department since Fall 2018 and he is also the current faculty advisor of the Clemson University INFORMS student chapter.
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Song gives insights into his research which focuses on optimization under uncertainty, integer programming, and applications of optimization in transportation and logistics, network resiliency and disruption, and health care. He also discusses his recent interest in hurricane disaster relief logistics planning problems, the importance of being able to code, improving your writing skills, and much more.
To learn more about Dr. Song, make sure to visit his personal website and his Google Scholar page. You can also follow him on Twitter @songmath.
Dr. Qi Luo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering (IE) at Clemson University. Prior to joining Clemson’s IE department in Spring 2021, Dr. Luo was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Cornell University and a researcher in Argonne National Laboratory operated by the University of Chicago. He received his Ph.D. in Operations Research and Scientific Computing from the University of Michigan, and B.S. in Nuclear Science and Technology and B.A. in Business from Xi’an Jiaotong University.
Dr. Luo specializes in operations research with an emphasis on data-driven stochastic optimization and game theory. He blends these two areas to address significant problems arising in transportation systems and operations management.
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Luo talks about: (i) building equal and sustainable mobility ecosystems; (ii) improving digital supply chains; (iii) the importance of having a clear professional plan; and much more.
To learn more about Dr. Rahimian, make sure to visit his personal website and his Google Scholar page. You can also follow him on Twitter @luo_or.
Dr. Hamed Rahimian is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering (IE) at Clemson University. He joined the Clemson IE department in Fall 2020 following on from a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences at Northwestern University. He received his Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Ohio State University. He also has an M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from The University of Arizona in 2012, and M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, in 2011 and 2008, and
In this episode of the podcast, we talk about Dr. Rahimian's broad interests in data-driven decision-making under uncertainty. Specifically, developing new models, theories, tools, and algorithms for problems with broad societal impact. We also discuss how he uses stochastic optimization to solve large-scale problems arising in the allocation of scarce resources such as water, medical equipment, and human resources.
To learn more about Dr. Rahimian, make sure to visit his personal website and his Google Scholar page. You can also follow him on Twitter @HamedR_HR.
Dr. Tuğçe Işik is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering (IE) at Clemson University. Dr. Işik has a BS in Industrial Engineering from Boğaziçi University, an MS and a Ph.D. in Operations Research from Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research interest focuses on Operations Planning and Control, Stochastic Processes and Optimization, Queueing Networks, Markov Decision Processes with applications to Agile Production and Service Systems, Workforce Flexibility, and Collaboration.
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Işik explains how she uses stochastic optimization to solve problems arising in healthcare systems, retail management, queuing systems for learning. She also gives insights into: (i) how students can balance course work and research; (ii) the importance of resiliency in the first few years; (iii) allocating your time between reading and writing. And much more.
To learn more about Dr. Işik, make sure to visit her personal page. You can also follow her on Twitter @tugce_isik_.
Dr. William G. Ferrell is a Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering (IE) at Clemson University. He is also the Fluor International Supply Chain Professor & Associate Dean of the Graduate School. Dr. Ferrell has a BA in Physics from Wake Forest University, MS in Nuclear Science and Engineering Virginia Tech, and a Ph.D. in Operations Research at North Carolina State University.
His research interests are supply chain logistics systems design and analysis, warehouse operations modeling.
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Ferrell gives a general overview of the different aspects of his research, his industry experience, and how he uses OR to make better designs. He also gives insight into: (i) the difference between methodological and application-driven research; (ii) the importance of learning how to model; (iii) becoming an independent researcher and exploring your own ideas.
To learn more about Dr. Ferrell, make sure to visit his personal page.
Dr. Amin Khademi is a Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering (IE) at Clemson University. Dr. Khademi has a B.S. in Industrial Engineering, an M.S. in Social-Economical Systems Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, in Tehran and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Khademi joined the IE department at Clemson University in 2013 as an Assistant Professor and he has been an Associate Professor since 2019.
He specializes in operations research and management with a health care focus on the application side. He works in decision-making problems for infectious disease control, ambulance dispatching and relocation, organ transplantation allocation rules, and adaptive design of clinical trials.
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Khademi gives a general overview of the different approaches used for decision-making problems in healthcare applications. He also talks about: (i) the intersection of game theory and healthcare; (ii) his love for learning problems; (iii) becoming an excellent student. And much more.
To learn more about Dr. Khademi, make sure to visit his personal page.
Dr. Thomas Sharkey is a Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering (IE) at Clemson University. Dr. Sharkey has a B.S. (Honors) and M.S.E in Mathematical Sciences from Johns Hopkins University, and a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Florida. Prior to joining Clemson’s IE Department in Fall 2020, Dr. Sharkey worked as a professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he spent the past 12 years. He specializes in operations research with a focus on network optimization. His recent work emphasizes the disruption of illicit trafficking networks, resilient infrastructure, and supply chains, and emergency response.
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Sharkey shares his journey into OR and gives insight into the several dynamics aspects of his research. He also gives insight on: (i) transitioning from doing research in undergrad to doing research in graduate school; (ii) how network optimization is applied in different industries; (iii) why open communication with your advisor is key to the research process.
To learn more about Dr. Sharkey, make sure to visit his personal websiteand his Google scholar page.
Dr. Emily Tucker is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering (IE) at Clemson University. Prior to joining Clemson's IE department in Fall 2020, Dr. Tucker received her Ph.D. and MSE in Industrial and Operations Engineering (IOE) from the University of Michigan. Dr. Tucker specializes in operations research (OR) with a particular emphasis on stochastic optimization. Her application domains include healthcare policy and operations, supply chain resilience, and societally-motivated problems.
In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Tucker shares her journey into OR and tells us how she uses stochastic optimization in healthcare policy. She also expertly gives insight on: (i) how students can identify research areas they would like to work in; (ii) how to come up with new research ideas; (iii) the technical and non-technical skills new students should have as they get into research.
To learn more about Dr. Tucker, make sure to visit her personal website and her Google Scholar page. You can also follow her on Twitter @EmilyLTucker.
Research. Finding an advisor. Life in grad school. Extracurriculars activities. And much more. Launching January 8. Join us, the INFORMS student chapter at Clemson University, as we present to you the Optimality Gap podcast, every Tuesday and Friday.