GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
FALL 2020 THE H. MILTON STEWART SCHOOL ALUMNI MAGAZINE
ISYE: LEADING THE WAY
75 Years of Industrial Engineering at Georgia Tech Meet Some of Our Past, Present, and Future Leaders ISyE Responds to Covid-19 FROM THE CHAIR
a matter of weeks to keep everyone safe and finish the spring semester.
Members of our community pivoted immediately to help fight the pandemic. Faculty optimized supply chains for personal protective equipment, created data-driven forecasting tools to help leaders make decisions about reopening the economy, and assisted the Institute in its plans to reopen for the fall semester. Students examined and improved supply chains to get scrubs and masks to essential workers on the front lines, and one alumnus even retooled his business to produce innovative, breathable, and highly protective face coverings for people in need.
Much work remains to be done, and I know we will n behalf of the entire team at the H. Milton continue to use our expertise to address this challeng- Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engi- ing situation. While I have always been proud to helm neering (ISyE), I am proud to share the latest this incredible group of people, the way everyone has Oedition of the ISyE alumni magazine with you. responded to this situation has exceeded my expectations. 2020 was a monumental year for us. We celebrated many As always, alumni involvement is a key component to milestones, including 26 and 30 years at No. 1 for our our success, and we have many opportunities available undergraduate and graduate programs, in addition to the for you to get involved with the School and our students, 75th anniversary of becoming an established department including Senior Design projects, job recruiting, and at Georgia Tech. We have grown to become the largest mentoring. If you are interested in any of these options, program of our kind in the world and continue to attract please let us know. I hope you enjoy this year’s edition of the best and brightest students and faculty to ISyE. the ISyE alumni magazine.
From the beginning, tremendous vision and leadership — at both the School and Institute levels — has led ISyE to where it is today. This edition of the magazine offers a brief history, highlighting just a few of the people and events that helped position us at the top of our field. You Take care and be well. will also read about current students, alumni, faculty, and staff who continue to innovate and lead the way in their respective disciplines. H. Edwin Romeijn, Ph.D. While 2020 was an exciting year of achievement for the H. Milton and Carolyn J. Stewart Stewart School, like the rest of the world, we also have School Chair and Professor been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in ways never before seen in this lifetime. In March, as H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial an Institute, we moved operations and classes online in and Systems Engineering FEATURE STORIES
The Industrial and Systems Engineering alumni magazine is published annually by the H. Milton Stewart School 8 ISyE: Leading the Way of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Vol. 13, No. 1 • Fall 2020
Laurie Haigh Co-Editor
Shelley Wunder-Smith Co-Editor
Sarah Collins Graphic Designer
Joel Kimmel Illustrator 9 13 27 Ben Brumfield Taylor Hunter David Mitchell Rachel Mueller Steven Norris 9 75 Years of Industrial Engineering at Victor Rogers Georgia Tech: A Brief History John Toon Denise Ward 13 Student Leaders ISYE NEWS AND Yassin Watson ADDITIONAL FEATURES Contributing Writers 16 ISyE Alumna Charu Thomas and the Growth of Oculogx Jathan Caldwell 2 ISyE by the Numbers GT Athletics 17 ISyE Alumnus Named Commander of 4 Educational Outreach Candler Hobbs SpaceX Crew-2 Mission to Space Station INFORMS Optimization Society 30 ISyE Responds to Covid-19 Lindsay Sweeney 18 Toyya Pujol: A World in Numbers Contributing Photographers 36 Research Briefs 19 ISyE Doctoral Student Spotlight 40 Data Analytics Are Key to Baseball Star 20 SIReN Lab Brings Immersive Michael Guldberg’s Athletic, Academic Technologies to Supply Chain and Pursuits H. Milton Stewart School Logistics Research of Industrial and 41 ISyE Grad Raianna Brown Performs in Systems Engineering 22 ISyE’s National Academy of Super Bowl Halftime Show Georgia Institute of Technology Engineering Members 755 Ferst Drive 42 Faculty Awards, Appointments, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0205 24 Four ISyE Alumni in Inaugural Class of and Promotions GTAA 40 Under 40 Phone: 404.385.3102 44 ISyE Welcomes New Faculty Fax: 404.894.2301 26 Professor Pinar Keskinocak on Her [email protected] Role as INFORMS President 46 Senior Design isye.gatech.edu 27 ISyE Gets a New Home: Technology 48 Student Essay: Carving My Own Path Square Phase III to Include George Tower 49 Program Enhancements Copyright © 2020 Georgia Institute of Technology 28 Triple-Major Daniel Gurevich Wins Love Family Foundation Scholarship 50 Get to Know ISyE’s Newest Advisory Board Members 29 Two ISyE Staff Members Complete Georgia Tech Inclusive Leaders Academy 52 In Memoriam
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Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 1 by the ISyE numbers Rankings
ISyE is the No. 1 program Number of consecutive years the ISyE of its kind, as ranked by 30 graduate program has been ranked No. 1 U.S. News & World Report. 1 Number of consecutive years the ISyE 26 undergraduate program has been ranked No. 1
Degrees Offered
1 B.S. in IE Degree 8 Master’s Degrees 6 Doctorate Degrees
WITH 7 CONCENTRATIONS IN: SPECIALTY MASTER’S DEGREES: • Industrial Engineering with • Advanced Studies in • Master of Science in Analytics specializations in: Operations Research • Master of Science in Health Systems • Economic Decision Analysis and Statistics • Master of Science in Quantitative • Statistics • Analytics and Data Science and Computational Finance • Supply Chain Engineering • Economic and Financial • Master of Science in • System Informatics Systems Supply Chain Engineering • General Industrial Engineering and Control • Operations Research GENERAL MASTER’S DEGREES: • Algorithms, Combinatorics, and Optimization • Quality and Statistics • Master of Science in Computational Science and Engineering • Bioinformatics • Supply Chain Engineering • Master of Science in • Computational Science Industrial Engineering and Engineering • Master of Science in • Machine Learning Operations Research • Master of Science in Statistics • Operations Research
ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREE: • Online Master of Science in Analytics*
*Same degree as on-campus program
2 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering Fall 2020
Enrollment Faculty
Undergraduates: 1,352* 60 tenured/tenure-track faculty
Master’s: 257 on-campus 5 academic professionals 4,246 online/video 5 research faculty Doctoral: 194 1 professor of the practice
*Includes co-op and study abroad students 4 lecturers
Academic Year 2019-20
21 Ph.D. degrees 409* M.S. degrees 395 825 *Includes Atlanta B.S. degrees ISyE Degrees Awarded campus and online/video
For undergraduates: Of the 395 B.S. IE degree recipients • 47 participated in undergraduate research in 2019-20: • 191 participated in an internship • 74% graduated with honors • 178 participated in a co-op • 19% graduated with a co-op designation • 14 participated in the Denning Technology & Management Program • 50% were female • 17 were Stamps President Scholars • $72,050 was the median starting salary • 173 participated in study abroad
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 3 EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
Introducing STEM and Industrial Engineering to the Next Generation
The H. Milton Stewart School of Indus- academic office has invited students to trial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) is Georgia Tech for camps and presen- dedicated to inspiring the next genera- tations. The experience of visiting tion of industrial engineers, by provid- campus, attending a class, and having ing K-12 students with opportunities lunch with an ISyE professor allows to explore STEM fields by solving real- students to see what ISyE is all about. world problems. Young students have a natural curiosity about how the world The Covid-19 pandemic has introduced works, and in response, ISyE’s K-12 new challenges to this K-12 outreach. outreach program seeks to promote “Teachers are trying to teach online critical thinking and confidence in this effectively, and their students are at age group. Further, ISyE is commit- home. It’s a very complicated environ- ted to promoting STEM education ment for them,” Ketenci said. The pres- for students in underrepresented ence of family members, the absence of groups, including those in minority an adequate Wi-Fi connection, or the demographics or who have disabilities. lack of necessary technology all create a difficult space in which to learn. Tuba Ketenci is an academic profes- During this time, engaging students sional who develops K-12 outreach with engineering pathways is more programs for ISyE. She facilitates important than ever. These new obsta- “Systemic racism and the cultural programs that connect ISyE faculty cles bring about creative solutions, perception of a ‘typical’ STEM student with teachers and students, and devel- something at which Ketenci excels. discourage many minority students ops teacher workshops that show them from even trying computer program- how to incorporate industrial engineer- As classroom instruction moved ming or engineering,” she said. ing principles into their curriculum. online, ISyE’s outreach events also She is especially focused on eliminat- used online environments. Ketenci For that reason, ISyE is commit- ing obstacles that students in under- brought together a group that includes ted to recruiting at least half the represented demographics — such as ISyE faculty members, graduate and participants from underrepresented students with disabilities or who are undergraduate students, and profes- populations for its outreach activities, BIPOC or female-identifying — sional industrial engineers. They are such as the Seth Bonder Camp in may face in STEM education. organizing online sessions demonstrat- Computational and Data Science for ing how ISyE has everyday applications Globally, female students tend to go Engineering led by ISyE A. Russell and can be incorporated into various into STEM-related professions signifi- Chandler III Chair and Professor K-12 curricula through lessons in cantly less than do their male peers. Pascal Van Hentenryck. [Learn more health, computer science, and even AP And in general, “studies show that only about the camp on the next page.] statistics. Such lessons enable students 16% of all American high school seniors to see themselves in a variety of STEM- are interested in STEM careers,” “After the Seth Bonder Camp, students related professions, regardless of their Ketenci noted. “This is because they regularly tell us that learning how to race, gender, or physical ability. don’t feel confident in their STEM code wasn’t as difficult as they thought abilities, so it is our responsibility to it would be, and that it is something “To see even one student — especially assure them that they are capable.” that they could do,” said Ketenci. if they’re from an underserved popula- tion — realize their potential as an Another goal for Ketenci is to show that The K-12 outreach program tries to engineer makes me more determined everyone deserves a place in STEM connect with students in multiple to find ways to bring these opportuni- studies and careers, and that Georgia ways. ISyE faculty have visited grade ties to as many students as possible,” Tech’s and ISyE’s doors are open to all. and secondary schools, and the Ketenci concluded. ▪ TAYLOR HUNTER
4 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
Participants in the 2019 Seth Bonder Camp get hands-on experience in the ISyE computer lab. The Seth Bonder Camp Goes Online
The Seth Bonder Camp in Com- is visual means that you can’t make build relationships, so it was hard,” putational and Data Science for simple mistakes,” Van Hentenryck Van Hentenryck noted. “Moving the Engineering is designed, as the said. “The focus is on the logic and camp online required a combination of name suggests, to introduce high then developing cool, small-scale making sure the material was delivered school students to data science applications in the targeted domains.” with high-quality videos while also and computer programming, and building contact, interactions, and their applications in social sciences, A solid foundation in computer face-to-face time with the students.” biology, medical diagnosis, and programming can set up students for industrial and systems engineering. successful academic and professional Fortunately, the experience gave Van futures in many disciplines. Target- Hentenryck many ideas for future Pascal Van Hentenryck, A. Russell ing beginners and reassuring them iterations of the camp, including Chandler III Chair and professor that they can overcome their lack of smaller group interactions and using in the H. Milton Stewart School of confidence and knowledge about com- (even) more entertaining videos. Industrial and Systems Engineering puter science is the camp’s main goal. (ISyE), leads participants in four days Van Hentenryck said, “The biggest “We eventually want to expand the of learning and exposure to industrial takeaway for the campers is that they camp into two groups: an advanced engineering, all while socializing can learn these tough concepts, and level and a beginner level,” Van with one another. Van Hentenryck’s they can do it in a week.” Similar to Hentenryck said. He also wants to goal is to engage students who don’t learning a foreign language, exposing visit Atlanta high schools to show typically have the experience and kids early on to computer science teachers how to use programming opportunities to engage with STEM promotes lifelong understanding and and data science principles in their fields and to give them the confidence helps with critical thinking skills. classrooms. Such initiatives hopefully to continue developing their skills. will prompt more students to pursue The camp typically uses a face-to- industrial engineering. The Seth To facilitate this, Van Hentenryck face format during the summer, but Bonder Summer Camp could be setting teaches Snap!, an entirely visual given the Covid-19 outbreak, the up the next generation of Georgia Tech computer programming language. 2020 camp looked a little different. Yellow Jackets. ▪ TAYLOR HUNTER What discourages many people from The entire camp took place online, learning how to program is frustration so Van Hentenryck worked hard to from failing to code. Snap! gets rid of maintain students’ interactivity and the need for syntax and uses animation communication with one another. To learn more about the Seth Bonder to show the effects of code. It is very Camp in Computational and Data easy to learn the basics of thinking “You lose this unique contact with the Science for Engineering, visit like a computer. “The fact that Snap! students, and previously you would sethbondercamp.isye.gatech.edu.
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 5 EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH BUY 3 COURSES AND GET THE 4TH FREE! Partnership Between SCL and the Department of Juvenile Justice Leads to Success
At a ceremony on Nov. 13, 2019, seven teens with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) received certificates for completing Georgia Tech’s Logistics Education And Pathways (LEAP) program. The LEAP program gives participants the foundation for a brighter future.
“It’s about workforce development,” said LEAP Program Manager and Supply Chain Fundamentals Series Online Courses Instructor Chuck Easley. “And with this certificate these young people PREPARE FOR A CAREER Unloc ne career opportunities and prepare have something in front of them that to be ob-ready ith a ne program designed to says, ‘I’ve done this training, I’ve invested this, people are investing IN SUPPLY CHAIN support or orce readiness and up ard mobility in me, and now I have a chance to or entry-level and supervisory associates. do something different from what MANAGEMENT I may have been doing that caused me to be here in the first place.’” Participants received certificates of completion at the LEAP certification ceremony at Georgia Tech’s Savannah campus. This version of the LEAP program REGISTER FOR OUR ONGOING OPEN ENROLLMENT WHY TAKE THE ONLINE COURSES: was the result of a partnership “From the start, we have seen very possible by a grant from JPMorgan between the Georgia Tech Supply active involvement and engagement Chase & Co. to promote workforce PROGRAM CONSISTING OF EIGHT SELF-PACED AND Learn at your o n pace ith our convenient online ormat. Chain and Logistics Institute (SCL) from every level within DJJ, from development and to “bridge the gap INSTRUCTOR-SUPPORTED ONLINE COURSES: These courses can also be o ered in alternative ormats (in- and DJJ to help students further the leadership to the instructors to between the talent employers need classroom, onsite, hybrid) and as custom-tailored o erings their education and find employ- the students,” said Carole Bennett, and the qualifications of the local • Warehousing Operations to meet your company’s specific employee training needs. ment. As of April 2020, 11 of 13 DJJ director of the LEAP program. talent pipeline.” LEAP consists of participants had graduated from the “Everyone has been very commit- eight stand-alone online courses • Supply Chain Management Principles Receive practical and immediately applicable training in program and nine had found jobs, ted to completing the program and in supply chain and logistics. The various supply chain unctions. making the program a great success. making sure that everything that program also offers warehouse and •Customer Service Operations needed to happen did, which is what campus tours, online supply chain Become more marketable to employers who need to fill jobs ith highly s illed supply chain talent. made this cohort so successful.” gaming simulations, lectures, career • Transportation Operations advising, and career fair opportuni- The certification ceremony in Novem- ties. Students earn continuing “And with this ber took place at Georgia Tech’s education units on an official Georgia • Supply Management and Procurement WHO SHOULD SIGN UP: Savannah campus. Attendees included Tech Professional Education tran- Entry-level and supervisory associates, e ecutives ne certificate these • Inventory Management state officials and DJJ leadership script. The program has graduated to a supply chain domain, returning veterans see ing to young people have in addition to representatives from more than 702 participants since commerciali e their s ills, and other pro essionals interested something in front of partnering organizations and neigh- its inception. ▪ LAURIE HAIGH • Demand Planning boring school systems. The spring in learning more about supply chain either or personal or them that says, ‘I’ve graduation ceremony was cancelled • Manufacturing & Services Operations career gro th. done this training, I’ve due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
invested this, people LEAP was originally created by SCL are investing in me.’” in 2015 for 16- to 24-year-olds and To learn more about SCL’s LEAP For more details or to register, visit scl.gatech.edu/fundamentals. veterans in Metro Atlanta. It was made program, visit scl.gatech.edu/LEAP. CHUCK EASLEY
6 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering BUY 3 COURSES AND GET THE 4TH FREE!
Supply Chain Fundamentals Series Online Courses PREPARE FOR A CAREER Unloc ne career opportunities and prepare to be ob-ready ith a ne program designed to IN SUPPLY CHAIN support or orce readiness and up ard mobility MANAGEMENT or entry-level and supervisory associates.
REGISTER FOR OUR ONGOING OPEN ENROLLMENT WHY TAKE THE ONLINE COURSES: PROGRAM CONSISTING OF EIGHT SELF-PACED AND Learn at your o n pace ith our convenient online ormat. INSTRUCTOR-SUPPORTED ONLINE COURSES: These courses can also be o ered in alternative ormats (in- classroom, onsite, hybrid) and as custom-tailored o erings • Warehousing Operations to meet your company’s specific employee training needs. • Supply Chain Management Principles Receive practical and immediately applicable training in various supply chain unctions. • Customer Service Operations Become more marketable to employers who need to fill jobs ith highly s illed supply chain talent. • Transportation Operations
• Supply Management and Procurement WHO SHOULD SIGN UP: Entry-level and supervisory associates, e ecutives ne • Inventory Management to a supply chain domain, returning veterans see ing to • Demand Planning commerciali e their s ills, and other pro essionals interested in learning more about supply chain either or personal or • Manufacturing and Services Operations career gro th.
For more details or to register, visit scl.gatech.edu/fundamentals. ISYE: LEADING The students, faculty, alumni, and staff composing the H. Milton Stewart School THE of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) are pioneers — and have been since the department’s humble beginning in 1945. The stories WAY that follow highlight a few of the individuals who paved the School’s path to No. 1, in addition to our current and future leaders. From developing models to help slow the spread of a global pandemic to using augmented and virtual reality to enhance user experiences, we continue to lead the way.
Colonel Frank Groseclose (left) and faculty member Bob Eskew in 1951
8 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering ISYE: LEADING THE WAY 75 Years of Industrial Engineering at Georgia Tech: A Brief History
For decades, ISyE has led the way Georgia Tech was also one of the few as the largest industrial engineer- universities in the South to deseg- ing program in the world, with its regate without a court order, and in undergraduate and graduate programs 1961 the first Black students enrolled. ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for 26 and The first Black industrial engineer, 30 years, respectively. ISyE’s rise William Johnson, graduated in 1970. to the top parallels Georgia Tech’s own ascent to become one of the nation’s top public institutions, with A STRONG FOUNDATION the largest and most diverse college Georgia Tech’s School of Indus- of engineering in the country. trial Engineering quickly grew in prominence. Although there were The Institute began as the Georgia no national rankings during Grose- School of Technology in 1888 with close’s time, Tech’s undergraduate 84 students enrolled in the only program was recognized as one of major offered: mechanical engineer- the best. “The industrial engineer- ing. An “industrial option” was ing program under the Colonel added to the curriculum in 1924. was a place where there were high expectations. That was true for all In 1945, the Department of Industrial Georgia Tech,” recalled ISyE Professor Engineering was created, and Colonel Emeritus Leon McGinnis in the 2005 Frank Groseclose — known as the issue of Engineering Enterprise. “father of industrial engineering” at Georgia Tech — served as the depart- When Groseclose left the School in ment’s first director and professor. 1965, Professor Robert Lehrer, who Fifteen students — all white men — had previously served as associate took Tech’s first official industrial director and helped establish the engineering (IE) class. In 1947 a graduate program, assumed the role of master’s program was created, and the school chair and began to modernize department was elevated to the School the curriculum to reflect IE applica- of Industrial Engineering in 1948. tions that expanded beyond a factory setting. In 1969, the word “systems” In 1952, Georgia Tech opened its doors was added to the School’s official to female students, and Elizabeth name to further emphasize this. Herndon and Diane Michel — both IE majors — were the first two At the same time, the Institute’s women to enroll. Four years later, reputation was growing. When Joseph Top: In 1946, Colonel Frank Groseclose became Michel became the first woman to Pettit became president of Georgia the first director of the department of industrial complete her degree from start to Tech in 1972, he began a campaign engineering at Georgia Tech. finish at the Institute and graduate. to elevate Georgia Tech to a top-tier Above: Diane Michel, the first woman to complete her degree from start to finish at Tech, graduates with a degree in industrial engineering in 1956.
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING FIRST THE DEPARTMENT GRADUATE THE DEPARTMENT APPEARS AS THE “INDUSTRIAL OF INDUSTRIAL PROGRAM IS IS ELEVATED TO THE OPTION” IN THE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CREATED (M.S. IE) SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING CURRICULUM IS CREATED ENGINEERING
1924 1945 1947 1948
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 9 ISYE: LEADING THE WAY
Georgia Tech President Wayne Clough (left) with Carolyn and Milt Professor Emeritus Augustine Esogbue Stewart at the announcement reception of the school’s naming in 2006
research institution with an emphasis To assist in hiring top research member from 1972 until his retirement on doctoral education. To help execute faculty for the Institute, Tech began in 2011, Thomas “created a culture Pettit’s vision, Lehrer hired mathemati- its first capital campaign to create that valued deep and fundamental cally and quantitatively oriented faculty an endowment that would support research and its application in impor- members, many of whom had research research opportunities. In 1985, A. tant practical domains. Theoreticians backgrounds, while continuing to Russell Chandler III (IE 1967) — a were respected, as were real-world deliver quality education to students. successful IE alumnus — funded problem-solvers. That got noticed and During this time, Georgia Tech and the A. Russell Chandler III Chair began to further set the School apart.” ISyE saw another first: Augustine in ISyE, the first endowed chair for Esogbue, an expert in fuzzy sets both the School and Georgia Tech. Increasing the size and quality of the and neural networks, arrived at the Thomas recruited renowned OR School’s graduate program was neces- Institute and became the first Black expert George Nemhauser as the first sary to support the Institute’s expanded faculty member to receive tenure faculty member to come to Tech as research focus. Nemhauser, along and be promoted to full professor. part of the capital campaign. Just a with a core of like-minded faculty, year later, Nemhauser was the first revamped ISyE’s doctoral curriculum In 1978, Michael Thomas, who had sitting faculty member at Georgia Tech and recruiting strategy, making it one previously chaired the IE department elected to the National Academy of of the best in its class. In addition to at the University of Florida, followed Engineering (NAE), one of the highest the robust curriculum, the unmatched Lehrer and became ISyE’s third school distinctions accorded an engineer. quality of ISyE’s faculty helped chair. To enhance ISyE’s research Nemhauser, who continues to be a attract top Ph.D. students, which portfolio, Thomas continued to recruit world leader in his field, still holds his further strengthened the program. key faculty in both traditional IE endowed chair at ISyE 35 years later. and operations research (OR) fields (Nemhauser will be retiring from ISyE “Mike was able to pursue and from well-respected research institu- at the end of the 2020 calendar year.) achieve excellence by identifying tions. Many of these hires became and hiring faculty, both young and leaders in their fields and spent the According to ISyE Professor Emeritus senior, who were among the best majority of their careers at ISyE. R. Gary Parker, who served as a faculty in the field,” said Nemhauser. “He
THE FIRST TWO FEMALE PH.D. PROGRAM AUGUSTINE ESOGBUE SENIOR DESIGN JANE AMMONS STUDENTS ENROLL AT IS CREATED BECOMES THE IS ADDED TO THE BECOMES THE GEORGIA TECH AS INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL’S FIRST BLACK UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL’S FIRST FEMALE ENGINEERING MAJORS FACULTY MEMBER CURRICULUM FACULTY MEMBER
1952 1958 1972 1974 1982
10 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering ISYE: LEADING THE WAY
changed ISyE at the graduate/ Jarvis; he stepped down in 2001 after research level from pedestrian to 12 years in the role. The school chairs ISYE SCHOOL CHAIRS among the top to the very top. While that succeeded Jarvis have continued now all engineering schools at Tech the school’s upward trajectory. They Frank Groseclose are in the top 10, ISyE led the way.” include William Rouse (2001-04); (1946-65) Chelsea “Chip” White III (2005-10); Robert Lehrer In 1989, Thomas left his position at Jane Ammons (2011-14), ISyE’s first (1966-77) ISyE to serve Georgia Tech at the Insti- female Ph.D. graduate in 1982 and the tute level, and Professor John Jarvis first female school chair in the College Michael Thomas stepped into the role of school chair. of Engineering; and current H. Milton (1978-89) and Carolyn J. Stewart School Chair John Jarvis Edwin Romeijn (2015-present). (1989-2001) ISYE BECOMES NO. 1 “Quality attracts quality,” noted Parker. The graduate program continued to William Rouse “The school chairs have understood grow in size and quality, propelling it (2001-04) what keeps ISyE at No. 1. They in 1990 to become the No. 1 graduate continue to attract top faculty who Chelsea “Chip” White III program of its kind as ranked by U.S. understand our science and respect the (2005-10) News & World Report. Five years relevance of its application and work later, the undergraduate program Jane Ammons hard to attract top doctoral students — was also ranked No. 1 for the first (2011-14) the ones a first-rate faculty demands.” time. Both programs have maintained Edwin Romeijn their top rankings ever since. In 2006, the Stewart family made (2015-present) an even bigger contribution and Jarvis continued to seek out the best endowed the School as the H. students and faculty, and pursued Milton Stewart School of Indus- funding opportunities to support trial and Systems Engineering. both. During Jarvis’ tenure as school chair, 1989-2001, the School raised more than $25 million as part of The Campaign for Georgia Tech. This CONTINUING SUCCESS generous support from prominent ISyE’s unmatched size allows for alumni was an instrumental compo- strong groups in both traditional IE nent in ISyE’s continued success by research and in new interdisciplinary funding additional professorships research initiatives such as analytics and chairs, cutting-edge programs, and machine learning; energy and fellowships, and scholarships. sustainable systems; and health and humanitarian systems. This breadth In addition to Chandler, H. Milton provides both students and faculty with Stewart Jr. (IE 1961) and his wife a unique, rich environment in which Carolyn (Honorary Alumna 2008) have to conduct cutting-edge research. been two of the school’s biggest sup- porters. In 1999, the Stewarts endowed Similarly, the Institute is now one the H. Milton and Carolyn J. Stewart of the leading research universities Jane Ammons, ISyE’s first female Ph.D. graduate, School Chair in ISyE, which allowed in the U.S., with more than 25,000 first female faculty member, and first female school the School to attract leaders that would undergraduate and graduate stu- chair in the College of Engineering continue its momentum. It was also the dents, six colleges, and 28 schools. first endowed school chair position at Its College of Engineering is ranked Georgia Tech, and was initially held by No. 4 in U.S. News & World Report’s
THE ISYE ISYE ESTABLISHES ITS FIRST GEORGE NEMHAUSER IS ISYE’S GRADUATE ISYE’S UNDERGRADUATE ADVISORY BOARD ENDOWED CHAIR, THE A. RUSSELL THE FIRST SITTING FACULTY PROGRAM IS RANKED PROGRAM IS RANKED IS CREATED CHANDLER III CHAIR, AND MEMBER AT GEORGIA TECH NO. 1 BY U.S. NEWS & NO. 1 BY U.S. NEWS & RECRUITS GEORGE NEMHAUSER ELECTED TO THE NAE WORLD REPORT WORLD REPORT
1984 1985 1986 1990 1995
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 11 ISYE: LEADING THE WAY
THE EVOLUTION OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN AND LOGISTICS INSTITUTE In 1992, The Logistics Institute was formed by merging three ISyE-sponsored organizations — the Production and Distribution Research Center, the Compu- tational Optimization Center, and the Material Handling Research Center — along with the School’s executive educa- tion program. The Logistics Institute allowed ISyE’s many George Nemhauser carries the ceremonial mace at the Fall 2015 Commencement for Ph.D. and master’s graduates. The mace, with its three brass rods, symbolizes Georgia Tech’s mission and faculty members specializing its three primary components: education, research, and service. in supply chain engineering and logistics to connect with Best Undergraduate Engineering “Our rise to the top was the result of Programs, and all its graduate pro- the hard work and dedication of the businesses around the globe, grams are ranked in the top 10. School’s faculty and alumni throughout which included research centers the years who were able to execute in Singapore and Panama. In In February 2020, Georgia Tech their vision for what Georgia Tech and received approval from the University ISyE could become,” said H. Milton 2006, The Logistics Institute System of Georgia and the Board and Carolyn J. Stewart School Chair was renamed the Georgia Tech of Regents to move forward with Edwin Romeijn. “We are working hard Supply Chain and Logistics construction plans for ISyE’s new home to continue this legacy of excellence in Technology Square. George Tower, and provide our community with the Institute, which is now an named in honor of longtime ISyE resources necessary to stay at the top Interdisciplinary Research Center supporters William “Bill” (IE 1964, of our field.” at Georgia Tech and the largest Honorary Ph.D. 2008) and Penny George, will provide ISyE students, The program that began with just 15 supply chain and logistics faculty, and staff with a newly designed students now has more than 1,300 leadership institute in the world. space for research and instruction. undergraduate and 4,000 graduate George Tower will bring ISyE into the students, and one in 10 graduates will vibrant ecosystem of Tech Square along rise to the top position in their organi- with innovative startups, the global zation. What exactly the future holds headquarters for many businesses, and for ISyE is unknown, but one thing is the Scheller College of Business. [To certain — the Stewart School will con- learn more about George Tower, read tinue to lead the way. ▪ LAURIE HAIGH the article on page 27.]
H. MILTON STEWART JR. AND CAROLYN J. THE SCHOOL BECOMES ENDOWED JANE AMMONS BECOMES GEORGIA TECH RECEIVES STEWART ESTABLISH GEORGIA TECH’S FIRST AS THE H. MILTON STEWART THE FIRST FEMALE APPROVAL TO BUILD GEORGE ENDOWED SCHOOL CHAIR, THE H. MILTON SCHOOL OF INDUSTRIAL AND SCHOOL CHAIR IN THE TOWER, ISYE’S FUTURE LOCATION AND CAROLYN J. STEWART SCHOOL CHAIR SYSTEMS ENGINEERING COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING IN TECHNOLOGY SQUARE
1999 2006 2011 2020
12 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering ISYE: LEADING THE WAY
Student SAMANTHA GUADA // IE 2020 Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers “As a first-year, I looked up to the president, and I just knew I Leaders would be in that position one day. As president, I wanted to have a similar impact.”
Nearly one in 10 graduates of the H. Originally from Venezuela, Guada and her family emigrated to Milton Stewart School of Industrial Panama to avoid the economic challenges and political strife and Systems Engineering (ISyE) taking place in her home country. As an international student at Georgia Tech, Guada found an extensive support system through will rise to the top position in their the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), which respective organization, and it’s no aims to empower Hispanics in STEM fields. She immediately surprise that many students start at began applying for leadership positions. By her second semester, Guada was planning the group’s events and overseeing the the campus level. Here we highlight mentorship program. Older members encouraged her to keep five ISyE students and recent alumni leading, which culminated in her becoming SHPE president who became leaders during their her final year at the Institute. Guada graduated in May 2020 and moved to Seattle, Washington, to work for Microsoft as a time at Georgia Tech and made an program manager. She plans on remaining involved in SHPE on impact on the individuals they served. a larger scale so she can continue to give back to others.
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 13 ISYE: LEADING THE WAY
ILESH JAIN // IE 2020 Student Alumni Association “Everything on campus is influenced by alumni in one way or another, and they make a big contribution to the students. It’s very empowering for me to potentially make an impact on a large portion of the student population, both undergrad and grad.”
With over 6,000 members, Georgia Tech’s Student Alumni Association (SAA) is the Institute’s largest organization and connects current students with Tech alumni to foster personal and professional growth. Jain served as SAA president during the 2019-20 school year. He came to Georgia Tech on an alumni-funded scholarship, so the importance of alumni giving back to students stuck with him. His journey to the presidency was natural, beginning when he joined the organization the fourth week of his first semester. One of Jain’s goals as president was to better understand what students wanted from SAA and to provide related programming and events. This past spring, he graduated from the Institute and plans on being an active alumnus. Jain will start as a full-time consultant for the Boston Consulting Group in January 2021.
POOJA JUVEKAR // SGA President “For me, being a leader has always been about being open-minded, ambitious, and putting other people first. I’ve learned that as a leader, it’s important to listen more than you talk, have empathy, and that it matters how you choose to both uplift the people around you and how you execute on tasks and initiatives.”
Pooja Juvekar’s FreShGA experience began her love for the Student Government Association (SGA). From there, Juvekar became freshman and then sophomore representative in the Undergraduate House of Representa- tives and, eventually, vice president of internal affairs. Taking all these experiences into consideration, she ran for and won the role of president. Her platform focused on introducing more art to Tech’s primarily STEM-focused campus; improving and evaluating existing mental health programs; and collaborating with student organizations to improve communication between the administration and the student body. She used her ISyE skills to analyze data and track trends over time, identifying problems on campus and devising solutions. Juvekar will graduate in December 2020 and hopes to work in a field that combines her passions for policy and technology.
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NDEYANTA JALLOW // IE 2020 Georgia Tech Society of Black Engineers “I’ve never wanted to get involved in something just to have a line on my resume. I really want to help others get to where they want to be. It has been a way I give back to the organization and the people who gave so much to me.”
The Georgia Tech Society of Black Engineers (GTSBE) equips its members with the confidence to succeed professionally and academically. Jallow joined GTSBE her first semester and eventually held three executive board positions, including president. Jallow originally focused on her academic pursuits, and she thought a leadership position would be too much of a time commitment. However, with the support of GTSBE’s past two presidents, she was inspired to apply for an executive position her second year. From these leadership experiences Jallow learned how the world works, how to interact with people, and how to successfully lead an organization. She graduated in May and is working for Accenture in Atlanta as a strategy analyst. STAVAN SHAH // Startup Exchange “Having been on Startup Exchange’s executive team for three years, it’s been exciting to see the rise of student entrepreneur- ship on campus. More than ever before, students feel as though they have the resources and network to build out their own ideas here in Atlanta.”
Startup Exchange is an organization dedicated to building up the startup community among Georgia Tech students. Shah became interested in entrepreneurship as a high school student, and when he arrived on campus, he knew he wanted to empower the Institute’s enterprising students. He was drawn to Startup Exchange, which provides extensive networking opportunities for students with all majors and interests. Two years ago, Shah himself developed and implemented the Startup Exchange Membership Program for first-year and second-year students. The program teaches the basics of starting a company — every- thing from handling legal issues to marketing. This semester, he has moved to an advisory role for the organization. Shah will graduate in December and hopes to work at a high-growth startup before eventually starting his own endeavor.
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 15 ISYE: LEADING THE WAY ISyE Alumna Charu Thomas and the Growth of Oculogx
The northwest region of Arkansas, set ring scanners. It’s really designed to within the beautiful Ozark Mountains, help enterprise-level companies with is well known as an outdoor paradise for significant infrastructure, like Walmart, camping, hiking, kayaking, and fishing. to be more efficient. Our technology has So it might surprise you to learn that the been shown to make associates more area is also home to a quietly burgeoning efficient at order picking compared to retail-tech industry that supports three manual methods like handheld tech- of the biggest Fortune 500 companies nology, and it can offer a 2600% IRR that are headquartered there: J.B. Hunt, [internal rate of return] over two years. Tyson Foods, and of course the world’s largest retailer (by revenue), Walmart. Given that Oculogx is geared toward retailers, what changes have you seen One of those retail-tech startups is in the retail industry as a result of the Oculogx, the brainchild of 22-year-old erator created by Startup Junkie and Covid-19 pandemic? We focus on retail- Charu Thomas (IE 2018) who — while Revunit. It’s specifically designed to ers in general, which can mean retail still a student at the H. Milton Stewart help early companies become enterprise distribution center operations as well School of Industrial and Systems ready, and to bring economic growth in as actual retail stores. This market Engineering (ISyE) — came up with the the form of entrepreneurship to north- has absolutely exploded because of idea of using augmented reality (AR) west Arkansas. The people who live here Covid-19. Online grocery sales in August wearable devices to make warehouse are really passionate about the area — 2019 were $1.2 billion; in comparison, order picking faster and more accurate. and with good reason. Because Walmart, sales were $7.2 billion this past July. as well as the other Fortune 500 The average grocery order was nearly As a second-year undergraduate, companies that are here, is such a major five times larger. People need their Thomas took her concept to Thad player in the retail industry, there’s a groceries but aren’t super comfort- Starner, a professor in Georgia Tech’s huge retail-vendor ecosystem in the able going into a store to get them. College of Computing, who also hap- state that doesn’t exist anywhere else pened to be the technical lead/manager in the U.S. Through Fuel, Google and We have been working in that space for Google Glass. As Thomas explored Walmart became Oculogx clients, and I to make online grocery operations how to make her idea a reality, she was able to begin growing my company. more efficient through Ocx One, and also conducted research with Starner this is something we do especially What specifically did you learn through Fuel? on wearables. Thomas wrote about well. We also quickly built and their research and won the Best Paper The program was four months long. We brought to market two new prod- Award at the 2018 ACM (Association for were taught workshop-style and learned ucts, Ocx Portal and Ocx Outline. Computing Machinery) International about intellectual property, contract Symposium on Wearable Computers. terms, legal issues, how to negotiate, IT, Tell us about these two products. security, and employee happiness — Ocx Portal is a real-time order manage- Fast-forward to 2020. Thomas and her essential and practical knowledge for ment system. Retailers can connect team of five have grown Oculogx into a successfully developing a startup. their orders through our third-party company that serves industry-leading storefront, Shopify, or their order businesses with household names like In addition, I made some incred- management system, and upload facility Walmart and Google. Oculogx is a rarity ible connections. Fuel introduced maps. Ocx Portal batches and optimizes among startups in that it is primarily me to high-level individuals working pick walks with artificial intelligence. revenue-funded. Thomas herself was at Walmart, and I still cherish With Portal technology, associates recently named to the 2020 Forbes 30 those relationships now. can fulfill multiple orders at a time. Under 30 list. Oculogx’s initial technology, which is now Ocx Outline is a modular mobile order called Ocx One, provides AR order fulfillment How did you end up headquartering Oculogx fulfillment application. An associate — for retailers. What makes Ocx One so power- in northwest Arkansas, rather than, say, like an Instacart shopper, for example — ful? Ocx One offers hands-free order Silicon Valley? After I graduated in 2018, can use a phone or any existing hard- picking via an ecosystem of wearable I moved to Bentonville, Arkansas, to ware like a scanner to access Outline devices. This can include eyewear like participate in the Fuel startup accel- to automatically optimize picking. Google Glass, wrist devices, or even
16 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering ISYE: LEADING THE WAY
Ocx Outline is geared toward medium- sized enterprises that may have more manual-type processes in place, such as Excel or even a paper list. Ocx Outline completely digitizes the operation.
Given Oculogx’s tech-heavy products and your current entrepreneurial career path, why did you choose ISyE as your major, instead of something like computer science or business? I didn’t know I would be an entrepreneur coming into college. Originally, I wanted to be an academic mathematician, and ISyE was a great fit because it gave me the theory of math with practical applica- tions built in. In hindsight, I see how ISyE had a really big impact by pushing Shane Kimbrough during a 2017 spacewalk aboard the International Space Station me toward the supply chain industry, PHOTO COURTESY OF NASA which is where Oculogx operates now.
What was it like being named to the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 list? It was a shock and ISyE Alumnus Named an incredible honor — I definitely didn’t expect it! I’m thankful to be recognized, but it’s important to keep in mind that Commander of SpaceX Oculogx is more than just me. We have an amazing group of people who make Crew-2 Mission to Oculogx run — including our stellar team, our industry-leading customers, our sharp investors, and our best-in-class advisors. Space Station
You’ve spoken enthusiastically about the Astronaut Shane Kimbrough, who received a master’s degree in opera- future of wearable technology, such as brain tions research in 1998 from the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial or eye implants. What about this is so exciting and Systems Engineering, will serve as spacecraft commander for the to you, and why? I’m bullish on the idea next collaborative mission between NASA and SpaceX. that wearable technology and cybernetics represent the next step of human evolu- Kimbrough will lead Crew-2, a planned group of four astronauts aboard tion. For example, gloves with vibration a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft flight to the International Space Station as motors can teach us a new skill without part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. practicing; tattoos on our skin enable us to interact with technology in alternative Crew-2 is currently scheduled to launch in spring 2021, after the launch ways. Wearable and implantable comput- of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission planned for late October 2020. ers enable us to overcome our limits. NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 test flight mission launched on May 30 and returned to Earth on Aug. 2, 2020. What’s next for Oculogx, and for you person- ally? At Oculogx, we’re focused on build- Crew-2 will remain aboard the space station for six months, joining up ing out a proven sales cycle in the next with three crewmates who will arrive via a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. two quarters. Personally, my goals align pretty closely to Oculogx’s goals. I want to Kimbrough grew up in the Atlanta metro area and was selected to be an build technology that impacts millions of astronaut in 2004. This will be his third trip to space. ▪ STEVEN NORRIS store and distribution center associates. ▪ SHELLEY WUNDER-SMITH
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 17 ISYE: LEADING THE WAY Toyya Pujol: A World in Numbers
For Toyya Pujol, numbers tell a story. Even after Pujol earned her master’s “They give a concreteness to people’s degree in OR from Northeastern experience,” she noted in a recent University, the itch remained to apply interview. An alumna (Ph.D. IE 2020) numbers toward improving people’s of the H. Milton Stewart School of lives, and she enrolled in ISyE’s Ph.D. Industrial and Systems Engineering program with a concentration in sta- (ISyE), Pujol has taken this perspective tistics. Her work focused on applying to an assistant professorship at Purdue data analytics and machine learning to University, where she is examining examine health outcomes and ways to statistical data related to issues of provide patients with better treatment. social justice and public health. In pursuit of that goal, Pujol joined an interdisciplinary Georgia Tech team This viewpoint has in fact defined that studied biomedical informatics Pujol’s academic and career choices and personalized medicine through a Pujol hopes to be since she was an undergraduate T32 training grant from the National student at MIT’s Sloan School of Institutes of Health. She also spent in the vanguard Management. Most of her peers a year at Harvard Medical School’s addressing concerns pursued full-time positions in Department of Health Care Policy as a banking or consulting. However, visiting scholar. Harvard’s interdisci- that profoundly Pujol declined such job offers after plinary department included medical influence the quality deciding that she was not interested doctors working alongside biostatisti- in helping companies make more cians and economists to drive health of life for entire money. She began bartending in policy decisions; she learned biostatis- demographic groups. Boston while considering her options. tics, rather than straight engineering statistics, for healthcare research. “You can imagine the complaints of my mother,” Pujol said, laughing. These research opportunities clarified “After she had just paid for four years for Pujol where she wanted to land, of MIT tuition, I was tending bar!” career-wise, after defending her ISyE significantly impact minority commu- thesis. She decided on Purdue’s indus- nities: infant/maternal mortality rates Eventually, Pujol recognized that what trial engineering department, with a or implicit bias by medical profession- she really cared about was channel- joint affiliation with the Regenstrief als or inadequate access to telehealth, ing her natural talent for numbers Center for Healthcare Engineering, which has become essential during the to help others — specifically, using where colleagues from many different Covid-19 pandemic. She hopes to be math to describe the world with engineering disciplines have come in the vanguard addressing concerns direct applications to social good together to solve major healthcare that profoundly influence the quality problems. She accepted a civilian issues. Pujol also liked the center’s of life for entire demographic groups. position with the U.S. Air Force as access to large amounts of data and its an operations research (OR) analyst, government connections. This means “People are starting to see how statis- a role she held for six years. Pujol that she has been able to step right into tics around these questions represent was responsible for using data to doing the work she cares about most. human stories,” Pujol said. “This is develop cost estimates, especially for why the work is important — no one advanced communications systems. Additionally, Pujol — recipient of a would know about these issues if no scholarship through the prestigious one was looking.” And where was the social good factor in Sloan Minority Ph.D. Program — sees that work, you might ask? “Everything the ongoing public conversation She added, “You can describe the world we did was geared toward saving the around issues of race and social justice through numbers.” ▪ warfighter’s life,” she explained. as a way of looking at numbers that SHELLEY WUNDER-SMITH
18 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering ISYE: LEADING THE WAY ISyE Doctoral Student Spotlight
JOVAN JULIEN // Ph.D. Student, Operations Research Jovan Julien, H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) Ph.D. student, is researching cirrhosis of the liver for their disserta- tion — work for which they have received the prestigious Lee B. Lusted Award from the Society for Medical Decision Making, and also been named a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholar. Julien has been conducting a meta-analysis using nationally representative surveys of when people start drinking alcohol and how much they consume — DIPAYAN BANERJEE // research that has expanded to ISABELLA SANDERS // Ph.D. Student, Ph.D. Student, Operations Research examine drinking behaviors related Industrial Engineering The Graduate Research Fellowship to the Covid-19 pandemic. “In this With two Georgia Tech master’s degrees awarded by the National Science unprecedented moment, my research completed (geographic information Foundation recognizes and supports has shifted focus to include how systems and operations research) outstanding graduate students changing consumption of alcohol due and an MBA and Ph.D. in progress, who are pursuing groundbreaking to Covid-19 policies, making it easier Isabella Sanders is an interdisciplinary research, and Dipayan Banerjee fits to access and sell alcohol, can lead superstar. She came to Tech in 2016 the bill. Banerjee is studying the to liver disease later in life,” Julien after earning a bachelor’s degree in tactical design of last-mile delivery explained. “That being said, I think my mathematics from MIT. “I wanted to systems, which are a challenging greatest impact as a graduate student be able to use my math undergraduate supply chain problem. The last mile has been lending my data analysis degree in an applied context, which in a supply chain represents the skill set to local Atlanta community is why I came to Georgia Tech for my transport of goods being delivered, efforts like the Metro Atlanta Mutual Ph.D. in industrial engineering. The for example, from a local warehouse Aid (MAMA) Fund to help support ISyE department has enabled me to do to a home or business. “It’s a those most affected by the pandemic.” just that, through research collabora- really exciting time to be studying tions with various companies — from transportation and logistics systems,” startups to global organizations,” said he said. “There are many fascinating Sanders. Her dissertation focuses on new challenges being faced in the data-driven computational optimization last mile as companies seek to deliver and risk modeling for solving decision- more and more goods on increasingly making problems within supply chains tighter deadlines. These include issues in the food and defense industries. In of accessibility and environmental addition, Sanders has been instrumen- sustainability.” Because of the Covid- tal in reestablishing the graduate group 19 pandemic, Banerjee’s research is within Georgia Tech’s section of the in high demand. “We have data and Society of Women Engineers (SWE), advanced computing power at our serving as president for the past two disposal that wasn’t available five or years. In the fall of 2020, she received 10 years ago,” he said. “I’m excited the SWE Outstanding Collegiate about the opportunity to develop Member award for her contributions to new operations research approaches SWE, the engineering community, and to solving these problems.” Georgia Tech.
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 19 ISYE: LEADING THE WAY SIReN Lab Brings Immersive Technologies to Supply Chain and Logistics Research
The Georgia Tech Supply Chain The U.S. arm of the lab is housed in the the other way around. The health and and Logistics Institute (SCL) is the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial humanitarian response networks, largest such group in the world, and and Systems Engineering (ISyE) which have become increasingly visible it provides researchers with many and is directed by Benoit Montreuil, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, relate to opportunities to help solve global Coca-Cola Material Handling & issues like disaster recovery and various supply chain and logistics problems. Distribution Chair and professor in healthcare supply chains. The latest addition is the SIReN ISyE. Montreuil is also co-director (Sentient Immersive Response of SCL and director of the Physical The French lab has a significant Networks) Lab, dedicated to research Internet Center. The French lab is emphasis on crisis response networks, leveraging immersive technologies led by Frederick Benaben, head of in which a group of people work to enhance human capabilities for the Interoperability of Organizations together to respond to a crisis in a engineering and managing supply research team at IMT Mines Albi. smart, fair, and efficient manner. chains and logistic systems. Because of the virtual nature of the work, it is possible to have researchers “We currently have a crisis manage- The SIReN Lab is an associate from both labs working on the same ment project where 10 people in international laboratory, the result of experiment, in the same environment, France and a few in the U.S. are a partnership between SCL’s Physical at the same time. working together at the same time Internet Center and IMT Mines Albi, in a digital twin environment,” said part of the Mines-Telecom Institute SIReN Lab research is centered around Benaben. “For example, we can have in France. The two organizations four main types of response networks — everyone in a building where they have historically collaborated on demand, health, humanitarian, and can fight a fire, but we can also have research surrounding artificial crisis — and the human response to some of them in a virtual control intelligence and its interface with them. A demand response network room exchanging ideas and making these immersive technologies. The focuses on how the supply network decisions. The options are limitless.” SIReN Lab is an extension and responds to demand and how to formalization of that relationship. prepare for this response, rather than Researchers are using tools such as dashboards, simulations, games, and in some cases virtual or augmented reality to allow participants to see — and in some cases experience — a vivid picture of a situation with other players in the network.
“In augmented reality, we reinforce what participants see with facts, maps, graphs, and other information that enhance what they are experiencing,” explained Montreuil. “In virtual reality,
Participants prepare to fight a fire in an immersive training experience using the IOMEGA virtual reality platform in the SIReN Lab.
20 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering ISYE: LEADING THE WAY
During an exercise at the SIReN Lab, participants walked through a virtual building during a crisis simulation. Participant views included a virtual fire, building occupants to be evacuated in offices and in common areas, and the arrival of firetrucks.
we project the user into a virtual world, the U.S. lab was postponed due to the “In virtual reality, we which can be a very vivid representa- Covid-19 pandemic, the team already tion of the current world, or it can has several projects underway and project the user into be an abstract world. It can be a very is fully operational. Eventually, they a virtual world, which powerful tool.” would like to see additional SIReN labs join the network to further scale the can be a very vivid “When we put someone in an environ- work being conducted. representation of the ment where they can touch, learn, train, experiment, and ultimately decide, it “We want to become a global leader current world, or it changes the way they approach the in making response networks become can be an abstract problem,” added Benaben. more sentient and immersive,” said Montreuil. “This is an exciting new world. It can be a The French lab launched on Nov. 15, approach that we are bringing to ISyE very powerful tool.” 2019. While the spring 2020 launch of and to the domain.” ▪ LAURIE HAIGH BENOIT MONTREUIL
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 21 ISYE: LEADING THE WAY ISyE’s National Academy of Engineering Members
Election to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) is one of the highest professional distinc- tions accorded an engineer. Its members are senior engineering professionals who have made significant contributions to their fields. Over the years, the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) has had 10 faculty members in the NAE, nine of whom were elected while at Georgia Tech.
“Our faculty are innovators and leaders in their fields, and their elections into the NAE further confirm this,” said ISyE School Chair Edwin Romeijn. “They have all made — and many continue to make — tremendous contributions to their fields of study, to ISyE, and to Georgia Tech.”
GEORGE NEMHAUSER // A. Russell Chandler III which under his leadership became the Chair and Institute Professor // Election year: 1986 largest research program of its kind in the world. In this role he also managed research Election Citation: For fundamental operations- centers in Panama and Singapore. research contributions in scheduling meth- odology and for contributions to large-scale He helped pioneer the development of combinatorial optimization problems. software tools to design supply chain net- works and optimize last-mile delivery pro- George Nemhauser George Nemhauser joined the ISyE faculty cesses. He has worked with a wide variety in 1985 as the holder of the first endowed of companies and organizations during his chair position at Georgia Tech. Just a year career to improve their supply chains. later he was elected to the NAE, making him the second member of the Georgia In 2012, Ratliff became professor emeritus Tech community to join the prestigious at ISyE and currently serves as co-executive organization (the other was then–Georgia director of the Georgia Tech Panama Logistics Tech President Joseph Pettit). For a time, Innovation & Research Center. He is also Nemhauser was the only NAE member at founder and CEO of Delivery Dynamics. Georgia Tech and in the state of Georgia.
Nemhauser’s research interests are in solving C.F. “JEFF” WU // Coca-Cola Chair in Engineering large-scale mixed-integer programming Statistics and Professor // Election year: 2004 problems. He has done significant work in airline optimization and is a partner in Election Citation: For conceiving and build- the Sports Scheduling Group, which pro- ing modern systems of experimental design Donald Ratliff vides schedules for Major League Baseball based on contemporary methods for parameter and university athletic conferences. estimating to provide quality improvements. Jeff Wu joined ISyE in 2003. Throughout his career, he has made fundamental contributions DONALD RATLIFF // Regents Professor Emeritus to the methodological and theoretical develop- and Co-Executive Director of the Georgia Tech ments of a wide variety of statistical and appli- Panama Logistics Innovation & Research Center // cation areas. In his 1997 inaugural lecture for Election year: 1996 the Carver Chair at the University of Michigan, Election Citation: For research, educa- he coined the term “data science” and advo- tion, and leadership in the development cated that “statistics” be renamed “data science” and implementation of interactive network and that “statistician” become “data scientist.” optimization methods for logic systems. Wu’s work is widely cited in professional jour- Donald Ratliff joined ISyE in 1978 as the nals and magazines. He has served as editor UPS Professor of Logistics. He was found- or associate editor for several major statistical C.F. “Jeff” Wu ing executive director of the Supply Chain journals and has published more than 180 and Logistics Institute at Georgia Tech, research articles in peer review journals.
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ARKADI NEMIROVSKI // John Hunter Chair and of uncertainty — to optimize power systems Professor // Election year: 2017 and ensure that electricity generation meets demand at the lowest possible cost. Election Citation: For the development of efficient algorithms for large-scale optimiza- Shapiro’s research interests also focus on risk tion problems. analysis, sensitivity analysis of nonlinear pro- Arkadi Nemirovski joined ISyE in 2005, and grams, and multivariate statistical analysis. he has made many fundamental contributions to the field of continuous optimization theory and algorithms during his impressive career. These include the invention, at just 27 years In addition to the faculty listed above, four old, of the ellipsoid method — one of the most more NAE members have been part of the fundamental developments in optimization — ISyE community: John White, Ellis Johnson, and developing the interior point method with William Rouse, and William Cook. Yurii Nesterov. He has made significant contributions in almost JOHN WHITE joined the ISyE faculty in 1975 and all aspects of continuous optimization including was elected to the NAE in 1987 “for the creative complexity, numerical methods, and stochastic development of engineering principles and optimization, and in non-parametric statistics. computational procedures used in the design and analysis of material handling systems.” From 1991 to 1997, White served as dean of the JIANJUN “JAN” SHI // Carolyn J. Stewart Chair College of Engineering at Georgia Tech. In 1997 and Professor // Election year: 2018 he left Georgia Tech to become chancellor at Arkadi Nemirovski Election Citation: For development of data the University of Arkansas. fusion–based quality methods and their implementation in multistage manufactur- ELLIS JOHNSON was elected to the NAE in 1988 ing systems. “for fundamental contributions to discrete opti- mization and software design and its practical Jianjun “Jan” Shi joined ISyE in 2008. applications to distribution and manufacturing His research covers the development and systems.” He came to Georgia Tech in 1989 and application of data-enabled manufactur- served as Coca-Cola Chair and professor at ISyE ing. Shi’s methodologies integrate system from 1993 until his retirement in 2012, when he informatics, advanced statistics, and became professor emeritus. Johnson is a world control theory for design and operational leader in integer programming and airline opti- improvements of manufacturing and service mization and made many significant contribu- systems by fusing engineering systems tions to these fields during his time at ISyE. models with data science methods.
Shi is a pioneer in his field, and the technolo- WILLIAM ROUSE was a member of the ISyE Jianjun “Jan” Shi gies developed in his group have been widely faculty from 1981 to 1987 and became an implemented in various production systems adjunct professor in 1988. He served as school with significant economic impacts. chair from 2001 to 2004. In 1991 he was elected to the NAE “for pioneering develop- ALEXANDER SHAPIRO // A. Russell Chandler III ment of models of human-system interac- Chair and Professor // Election year: 2020 tion for applications in complex engineering systems.” He holds professor emeritus status at Election Citation: For contributions to the ISyE and is currently on the faculty at George- theory, computation, and application of sto- town University. chastic programming. Alexander Shapiro joined ISyE in 1991. He WILLIAM COOK was a member of the ISyE has made extensive contributions to the field faculty from 2002 to 2013 and served as of optimization, including simulation-based Chandler Family Chair and professor. He optimization, stochastic programming, and was elected to the NAE in 2011 “for theo- nonsmooth analysis. He has used stochas- retical and computational contributions to tic programming — a technique useful for discrete optimization.” He is currently on Alexander Shapiro modeling complex systems under conditions the faculty at Johns Hopkins University.
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 23 ISYE: LEADING THE WAY Four ISyE Alumni in Inaugural Class of GTAA 40 Under 40
On July 15, 2020, the Georgia Tech and affordable design to address their Health, Brown travels the world from Alumni Association (GTAA) announced situation. Through her company, Johannesburg to Geneva to fulfill the 40 distinguished honorees as part of its Avana, she’s helped more than 10,000 organization’s mission to eliminate inaugural 40 Under 40 class. Selected farmers conserve 50 billion liters of disease and protect populations. from more than 250 nominations, the water with an eco-friendly polymer Working in partnership with the World Class of 2020 represents a wide range lining that creates artificial ponds on Health Organization and the Bill & of industries and sectors and includes farms by harvesting rainwater. After Melinda Gates Foundation, she helps four outstanding alumni from the H. farmers used the liner for just one bring innovative solutions to global Milton Stewart School of Industrial year, their income increased by 98.7%. health challenges. Brown supported and Systems Engineering (ISyE): “I want my legacy to be a world where the establishment of an outpatient care Maithili Appalwar, Sheereen Brown, every farmer lives with dignity and system at the largest national hospital Jennifer McKeehan, and Evren Ozkaya. is empowered to create a world that in Tanzania to reduce patient wait they want to live in,” said Appalwar. times, and implemented a cloud-based “We are very proud of these four solution to equitably allocate govern- alumni who have made, and are Fun fact: She once followed a professor ment healthcare workers in sub– continuing to make, a difference around until he gave her a waiver to Saharan African countries. For inspira- in the world,” said ISyE School enroll in his Medieval Literature class. tion, she looks to her two sisters, also Chair Edwin Romeijn. “They have ISyE alumnae, who have used their all had amazing careers thus far, experience at Tech as launching pads and I look forward to seeing what SHEEREEN BROWN to successful careers in the sciences they accomplish in the future.” IE 2013, M.S. HS 2014 and art. “Our parents raised us to be Senior Business Analyst, The tenacious women. Tech reinforced Task Force for Global Health that tenacity, and I’m proud of what MAITHILI APPALWAR, IE 2018 Sheereen Brown likes to say that her my sisters have accomplished with it. CEO, Avana work is about getting the right infor- I strive to be like them,” Brown says. After learning that drought was the mation (data) to the right people at the leading cause of suicide among farmers right time via the right tech to make Fun fact: This jet-setting humanitarian in a district in India, Maithili Appalwar the right decisions. As senior business dreams of becoming a kindergar- used her passion for manufacturing analyst for The Task Force for Global ten art teacher in retirement.
24 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering ISYE: LEADING THE WAY
JENNIFER MCKEEHAN, IE 2005 are moved or seemingly impossible his three part-time jobs. “That was Founder, Smith and James LLC, problems are solved,” McKeehan said. probably the worst day of my life at and Former Vice President Supply the time, but unbeknownst to me, it Chain, The Home Depot Fun fact: She was part of the Yellow created an opportunity,” he said. He Jacket Marching Band in college, studied for consulting interviews every Jennifer McKeehan’s trailblazing which cemented her love for Georgia day that month while his visa was career at The Home Depot over the Tech football and gameday! reinstated. “I ended up getting multiple last 15 years has been nothing shy of extraordinary. In 2016, she was offers from top consulting firms and accepted an offer from McKinsey & named vice president of inventory EVREN OZKAYA, PH.D. IE 2008 for all 2,000 U.S. stores and online Founder and CEO, Supply Chain Company in Atlanta, which forever businesses, responsible for leading a Wizard, LLC changed my life and propelled $15 billion portfolio and 250 associ- me much faster in my career.” Dealing with end-to-end operations in ates. It’s worth mentioning that at the today’s global supply chain requires time she was also the youngest officer Fun fact: He considers time his most a true wizard like Evren Ozkaya. As and was a working mom with two valuable asset, so he tracks every the founder and CEO of Supply Chain children. Most recently, she founded hour of his time 24/7 to learn how to Wizard, Ozkaya is making pharma- Smith and James, a retail consulting improve his time management. ceutical supply chains more secure, firm. But perhaps even more note- and ultimately safer for patients, by worthy than her professional career reducing the risk of counterfeit drugs is her commitment to service. She’s a with track-and-trace technologies. But member of Children’s Healthcare of Ozkaya didn’t land in his consulting Atlanta’s Emerging Leaders Board, career easily. During his last year at which recently raised $639,000 for Georgia Tech, he forgot to register for pediatric cardiology research. She also an internship course, which put him serves on the Cobb Health Futures just short of the full-time requirement Content provided by the Georgia Foundation Board. “What I find most for his international student visa. Tech Alumni Association. To view energizing, hopeful, and inspirational He not only lost his right to work all 40 honorees in the Class of is when some of the biggest mountains on campus, but in one day also lost 2020, visit gtalumni.org.
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 25 ISYE: LEADING THE WAY Professor Pinar Keskinocak on Her Role as INFORMS President
Pinar Keskinocak has been serving pace. The program provides a platform as president of the Institute for for our members to engage in DEI Operations Research and the initiatives in a variety of areas. During Management Sciences (INFORMS) this first year of the program, we have since January 2020. Keskinocak, received proposals that range from William W. George Chair and professor outreach to high schools, HBCUs, or in the H. Milton Stewart School of underserved communities to exploring Industrial and Systems Engineering diversity in our journals’ editorial and director of the Center for Health boards to community-building and Humanitarian Systems, is the first within INFORMS. faculty member from Georgia Tech to hold this position. In addition, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of INFORMS, In some ways, this office represents the we launched a new scholarship pinnacle of Keskinocak’s long-standing fundraising campaign: $25 for 25 service to INFORMS; her involvement Years of INFORMS. While student began when she was a junior faculty membership has increased over the member. Keskinocak has served on the SOCIETY INFORMS OPTIMIZATION years, these scholarship funds will INFORMS board as both vice president help us further attract, engage, and of membership and professional retain student members. We aim to recognition and as secretary. She was provide undergraduate students an co-founder and president of the Junior The Covid-19 pandemic occurred almost opportunity to attend the INFORMS Faculty Interest Group Forum and simultaneously with the beginning of annual meeting, where they can Public Sector Operations Research your presidential term. How has the experience academic and professional Section, and has been president of INFORMS community responded to this development. Scholarships will the Women in OR/MS Forum and the crisis? Historically, our community provide travel and registration Health Applications Society. After her has developed and used operations reimbursements up to $1,250. By presidential term ends, Keskinocak will research (OR) and analytical methods investing in promising students, we remain on the executive board for one to help make the world a better hope to pave the way for the next year as past president. place. Many INFORMS members generation of OR, management have worked on issues related to science, and analytics professionals. What has been most exciting to you about infectious diseases including pandemic this opportunity to serve as INFORMS flu, healthcare, transportation, After your presidency, what will your future president? INFORMS has been on a supply chains, finance, etc., and involvement in INFORMS look like? positive trajectory for a number of all these sectors benefit from the I have always been committed years — just look at our performance applications of OR and analytics as to INFORMS, and I envision my metrics in terms of our membership, we face high levels of uncertainty and involvement will continue beyond participation in our conferences, our cascading impact across multiple 2020-21, via journal editorial journals, the quality and number sectors locally and globally. boards, outreach, etc. I hope to of journal articles published, and further contribute to the DEI how these articles are consumed by What are some other organizational Ambassadors Program’s progress and readers. So this is a fantastic time for projects that you are excited about? success. INFORMS is an incredible INFORMS. We can communally be One of our new initiatives, the organization. I am grateful to be a proud of it, especially since our current INFORMS Diversity, Equity, and member, and I encourage and invite position of strength gives us opportu- Inclusion (DEI) Ambassadors everyone to engage. ▪ nities to take some bigger leaps. Program, is moving forward at a fast SHELLEY WUNDER-SMITH
26 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering ISYE: LEADING THE WAY ISyE Gets a New Home: Technology Square Phase III to Include George Tower
Momentum for Technology Square Phase III continues to grow with the naming of George Tower in recognition THE GEORGE FAMILY FOUNDATION of philanthropists William “Bill” (IE has provided funding to launch the 1964, Honorary Ph.D. 2008) and George Fellows Leadership Program Penny George, longtime supporters of for the 2020-21 academic year. George Georgia Tech. The Board of Regents Fellows, who are ISyE graduate students of the University System of Georgia approved the naming of George Tower conducting research in health systems at its meeting on Feb. 11, 2020. and analytics, will receive a leadership stipend in addition to their fellowship George Tower will be home to the award and will participate in the new nation’s No. 1–ranked H. Milton year-long leadership program. Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE), The program is led by Terry Blum, Tedd as well other programs. George Munchak Chair in Entrepreneurship Tower will accompany Scheller Tower, also planned on the site, and professor in the Scheller College of which will house the graduate and Business, and Pinar Keskinocak, ISyE executive education programs of William W. George Chair and professor. the Scheller College of Business. Participants will study the True North approach to leadership development “We are incredibly grateful to Bill and created by Bill George that has been Penny George for their long-standing implemented at both Harvard Business support of Georgia Tech,” said Georgia “Generous support from Bill and School and Harvard Kennedy School. Tech President Ángel Cabrera. “The Penny George over the years has George family legacy of support can enabled ISyE to maintain its position Program activities include opportunities be seen and felt in the experiences of leadership and strengthened the to examine self-awareness; values and of our students who benefit from School’s ability to make cutting-edge principles; motivations; and how to various scholarships and fellowships, contributions to research and educa- lead an integrated life — all of which and through the impact of our tion,” said ISyE School Chair Edwin underlie becoming an authentic leader. faculty, made possible because of the Romeijn. “This latest gift will bring us generosity of Bill and Penny George. closer to the companies and startups “Historically, healthcare providers have We are honored to affix the George in the vibrant Technology Square eco- been focused on and were incentivized name to this transformative next step system, which will be of tremendous for treating disease, instead of a holistic in Tech Square and our campus.” value to the School. We are delighted to call George Tower our future home.” systems approach that promotes overall Bill George began his career at the health and well-being and is supported U.S. Department of Defense. He Technology Square Phase III by new advances in analytics and data had been an executive at Honeywell will be a 400,000-square-foot, science,” said Keskinocak. “We hope and Litton Industries before joining multi-building complex in Midtown that graduates of our master’s in health Medtronic as president and chief Atlanta, located on the northwest systems program will combine their operating officer. He became CEO of corner of West Peachtree and Fifth knowledge of health systems with the Medtronic in 1991 and chairman of streets. A total of $75 million in skills they gain in this exciting leadership the board in 1996. George is currently private philanthropy will be included a professor of management practice toward the $200 million estimated program to lead systemwide transforma- at Harvard Business School. cost of construction. ▪ DENISE WARD tion from ‘sick care’ to ‘healthcare.’”
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 27 ISYE: LEADING THE WAY
Triple-Major Daniel Gurevich Wins Love Family Foundation Scholarship
After four years at Georgia Tech, arrhythmias are a leading cause of Daniel Gurevich graduated in spring death worldwide — as well as its rich 2020 with bachelor’s degrees in mathematical background. Now, industrial engineering, physics, and Gurevich aims to develop low-energy math. As a result of his academic defibrillation protocols that are more excellence, he was awarded the Love effective with fewer side effects. Family Foundation Scholarship, the highest honor Georgia Tech can give When not busy with his studies to a graduating student. Gurevich or research, Gurevich can often was nominated for the $10,000 be found playing chess. Chess has award by both the College of Sciences been a major part of his life — he and the College of Engineering. began playing at age 5 and became an international master in high “We couldn’t be prouder of Daniel school. At the beginning of his third for being granted this prestigious year at Georgia Tech, Gurevich award,” said Steve McLaughlin, joined the chess club. The group’s provost and executive vice president Friday afternoon meetings comprise for academic affairs. “His excellent his favorite school memories. scholastic record, as well as his involvement in multiple research labs “It was really the main source of chal- here at Georgia Tech, is an outstand- lenge for me. I had to learn to work ing accomplishment that sets an hard because competing against all exceptional example for all students.” these proven players is very tough,” he Gurevich remembered. “When I said. “It’s definitely something that has For Gurevich, receiving the prestigious said, ‘Yes, I’m doing fine. Everything helped me succeed in my academics.” Love Family Foundation Scholar- is good,’ she said, ‘Go ahead.’” ship is the culmination of his hard Gurevich is very appreciative of work and dedication. As a first-year The commonality among Gurevich’s physics major, he realized that the his undergraduate education, majors is applied mathematics. “The college credits he had earned in and the Institute will always hold high school would make a second ability to explain how things work a special place in his heart. major in industrial engineering is something that really attracts me manageable. When Gurevich shared about math,” he explained. It is this “I can’t think of a more welcoming his academic plans with his family, passion for using mathematics to place that has such great people friends, and professors, everyone understand how the world and its and, of course, Georgia Tech is an supported him. But a third major? people function that drove him during academically outstanding institution,” his time at Georgia Tech. This fall, Gurevich said. “My education here has Gurevich recalled talking with Fran Gurevich began his Ph.D. studies been the best possible opportunity for Buser, an academic advisor in the H. at Princeton University in applied me to lay a foundation of knowledge Milton Stewart School of Industrial and computational mathematics. that will propel me forward.” and Systems Engineering, about his intention to study math as well. He hopes to continue the research He is looking ahead to further learning, on cardiac arrhythmias he began at further research, and — someday — “She asked, ‘Well, are you sleeping? Georgia Tech. He was first attracted by teaching the next generation of Are you eating? Is everything okay?’” the field’s importance to society — students. ▪ TAYLOR HUNTER
28 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering ISYE: LEADING THE WAY
Two ISyE Staff Members Complete Georgia Tech Inclusive Leaders Academy
Joscelyn Cooper-Rodriguez, program visory position. Participants complete is something a lot of us don’t take and operations manager for the a series of self-guided trainings and the time to discover. The exercise Center for Health and Humanitarian group workshops and also write a helped me see how I need to be more Systems, and Nancy Sandlin, director personal reflection that becomes part compassionate toward myself.” of development for the H. Milton of the Institute’s digital story library, School of Industrial and Systems known as Transformative Narratives. The program is centered around Engineering (ISyE), successfully Brené Brown’s book Dare to Lead. completed the 2020 Inclusive Leaders When asked about a favorite activity “One of my favorite sessions involved Academy (ILA) program offered by in the ILA, Cooper-Rodriguez noted, a deep dive into self-awareness and Georgia Tech’s Office of Staff Diver- “One assignment was to write an ‘I vulnerability as the book talks about sity, Inclusion, and Engagement. Am’ poem. We were given questions them, and how these qualities take to respond to that helped us describe courage,” said Sandlin. “That courage The ILA provides personal and profes- ourselves, and I found the words paves the way to helping to identify sional development of self-awareness, flowing out of me while writing and develop the potential of people social intelligence, and courage for this poem. It really got to the heart and processes — which is the heart of Institute employees who hold a super- of how I feel about myself, which leadership.” ▪ SHELLEY WUNDER-SMITH COVID-19 RESPONSE
ISyE Responds to Covid-19
As the coronavirus spread rapidly throughout the U.S. in Spring 2020, members of the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) used their skills to help fight the pandemic and save lives. From optimizing personal protective equip- ment (PPE) supply chains, to making and distributing reusable face coverings to those in need, to creating models to help leaders make educated decisions to slow the spread of the disease, the ISyE community led the way. Here are a few of their stories.
Centralized Ordering, Modeling Keeps PPE Supplied to Research Labs
As Georgia Tech ramped up laboratory operations shut down by Covid-19 in March 2020, a perfect storm of challenges arose in providing the PPE required to reopen — surgical masks, cloth face coverings, gloves, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant materials.
The coronavirus pandemic severely disrupted global PPE supply chains, resulting in long lead times and unreliable deliveries. At the same time, Covid-19 precautions mandated the use of PPE in laboratories and electronic defense. In peak times, tralized system to replace traditional where it wasn’t required before, those researchers use approximately purchasing systems in which individual such as computer and electronics 400,000 gloves a month and 20,000 labs hunted for their own supplies. labs. And as researchers, staff, and surgical masks. Under new disinfecting graduate students slowly returned guidelines, labs were expected to use The new centralized system allows to their labs during the summer, more than 4,000 gallons of hand administrators to see how much of predicting how many people sanitizer a month. each PPE item is available on campus, would be at work on any given day and asking lab researchers to report created yet another unknown. Supply chain and logistics experts from details of PPE usage each day supplies ISyE put their knowledge to work, the system with data to predict With $1 billion in sponsored activity using the modeling and machine- demand. This in turn enables Georgia during 2019, Georgia Tech has learning technologies that major Tech to place large orders and stock hundreds of research laboratories retailers rely on to keep products on a centralized warehouse to bridge studying everything from viral store shelves. In just one month, the the gap during supply chain antibodies and stem cells to robotics research team built an automated, cen- interruptions. ▪ JOHN TOON
30 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering COVID-19 RESPONSE
ISyE Alumnus Pivots Company to Manufacture Reusable Antimicrobial Face Masks
At the beginning of March, Bryan reusable (when handwashed and them to groups Kilbey spoke with a business partner air-dried); and remarkably breath- in Florida, in France about the novel coronavirus able. A week after that propulsive where it is that was spreading across Europe, conversation, the company had filed headquartered, causing widespread social lockdowns, patent applications in the U.S. and ranging from straining healthcare systems, and the European Union and had begun first responders fomenting economic instability. round-the-clock manufacturing. to private busi- nesses seeking Kilbey, an ISyE alumnus (IE 1982), One additional quality of the EZY to protect their quickly realized that Covid-19 would Wrap products sets them apart: They employees. Bryan Kilbey have a similar impact in the U.S. are treated inside and out with an And Kilbey and began contemplating how his antimicrobial agent that is 99.99% was able to provide help in yet another company, EZY Wrap, could be part of effective. “Covid-19 comes from a novel way, hiring people who had been laid the solution. PPE — specifically surgical coronavirus, but it has ‘brothers and off because of the pandemic to staff the and N95 face masks — were already in sisters’ in other coronaviruses,” Kilbey ramped-up production lines. ▪ high demand by medical and essential noted. “SARS, MERS, H1N1 — they SHELLEY WUNDER-SMITH workers. It was a natural shift for EZY come from the same gene pool as Wrap, a medical device manufacturer, Covid-19, and the antimicrobial to begin making face masks. treatment on our mask has been shown to kill them all. We are confident that it Two days after Kilbey heard from his will kill Covid-19 as well.” EZY Wrap has developed a colleague, the company had a workable second-generation product — a prototype for a new kind of mask: Sales of EZY Wrap’s antimicrobial multilayer mask with a reusable fully adjustable for people of any mask number in the millions. The N95 filter — and is pursuing FDA size, thanks to the Velcro ear straps; company has also donated thousands of Class 2 registration for it.
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 31 COVID-19 RESPONSE
Interdisciplinary Team Develops Covid-19 Policy Simulator
Turgay Ayer, George Family Hospital, and Boston Medical Center predict outcomes at various levels of Foundation Early Career Professor to create a Covid-19 simulator. This intervention, to help policymakers and associate professor in ISyE, is interactive tool, designed to inform make educated decisions when lifting a healthcare analytics expert. He Covid-19 intervention policy decisions various restrictions, and to give also serves as research director for in the U.S., evaluates the impact of individuals information to determine healthcare analytics and business different social distancing interventions their own actions going forward. intelligence in the Center for Health on reducing the spread of Covid-19 and Humanitarian Systems at Georgia at both a national and state level. The simulator received a great deal of Tech and holds a courtesy appointment attention after its launch. In its first at Emory Medical School. Throughout In early March, many states began week the website received more than his career, he has created numerous implementing safety measures — 100,000 hits, and the simulator was models and simulators to help slow the limiting social gatherings, staying featured on MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow spread of various infectious diseases. 6 feet away from others, wearing Show, NPR, the U.K.’s Daily Mail, masks in public, closing schools and Fox News, and others. In June, the Along with ISyE Ph.D. student Jade businesses, teleworking, and other team was awarded a National Science Yingying Xiao, Ayer partnered with measures to “flatten the curve” and Foundation grant to continue its work research teams from Harvard Medical slow the spread of the disease. The on the simulator. ▪ LAURIE HAIGH School, Massachusetts General Covid-19 simulator is designed to
Faculty and Students Develop Campus Recovery Analytics
As colleges prepared to return to The resulting physically distanced face-to-face learning for the Fall 2020 classroom layout designer can generate semester, ensuring physical distancing classroom layouts to keep students a in instructional spaces was a key given distance apart and help planners component of plans to reduce risk to better estimate classroom capacities faculty and students. To help campus under alternative physical distancing planners make educated decisions policies. The team also developed room and manage uncertainty, a team of assignment optimization models to faculty and students, many from help campus planners assign classes ISyE, created tools to help educators to classrooms based on reduced model the number of students room capacities and preferred course that can fit into a classroom under delivery modes. The model’s flexibility different physical distancing criteria. allows campus planners to simultane- ously optimize course modality The team was led by Fouts Family (in-person, hybrid, remote) and Professor Natashia Boland, Director classroom assignments. ▪ LAURIE HAIGH of Professional Practice Dima Nazzal, and Assistant Professor Lauren Steimle; it included undergraduate, This work was supported by seed graduate, and doctoral students from grants through ISyE’s Thos and Clair ISyE, computer science, urban design Muller Research Endowment Fund and city planning, and statistics. and the Georgia Tech EVPR Covid-19 Rapid Response Seed Grant Program.
32 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering COVID-19 RESPONSE
A Machine- Learning Model for Optimal Allocation of Limited Medical Resources to Covid-19 Patients
The escalating number of Covid-19 cases in the U.S. led to a critical shortage of medical supplies, including medicine, equipment, and personnel to treat infected patients. To make the best use of available resources, a team led by Harold E. Smalley Professor Chuck Zhang and individual. The goal? Identify which optimize treatment plans and resource Gwaltney Chair in Manufacturing patients would recover and could be utilization, which has been confirmed Systems and Professor Ben Wang safely sent home; determine which by our collaborators in the hospitals,” developed a machine-learning model patients would deteriorate quickly Zhang said. to inform clinical decisions and and require hospitalization and/or life optimize resource allocation. support; and predict the outcome of During the second phase of the patients requiring life support. project, the team will develop a Specifically, the team built a predictive comprehensive model to help health- model based on patient data collected Phase one of the project was a success. care systems optimize operations and by Georgia hospitals — medical history, “We achieved our goal by creating resource allocation for future Covid-19 symptoms, and test results — to antici- the predictive model that can help outbreaks or other pandemics. ▪ pate the course of the disease for each medical professionals and hospitals LAURIE HAIGH
The Impact of Social Distancing on Covid-19 Spread
As Covid-19 spread throughout the Aglar and visiting scholar John various intervention scenarios to U.S., researchers from Georgia Tech’s Asplund, the team developed determine the best course of action. Center for Health and Humanitarian a comprehensive agent-based Systems (CHHS) and Health Analytics disease spread model to help As the pandemic worsened in the Group joined forces to help predict determine the best path to slow spring, Keskinocak and Serban the spread of Covid-19 considering the spread of the disease, flatten discussed the impact of social various levels of social distancing. the curve, and save lives. distancing and shelter-in-place orders with various media outlets. The study was led by ISyE William The model estimates the spread W. George Chair and Professor Pinar of the disease geographically and In addition to her work with Serban, Keskinocak and Virginia C. and over time based on various social in spring 2020 Keskinocak was Joseph C. Mello Professor Nicoleta distancing scenarios, which include appointed by President Ángel Cabrera Serban. Keskinocak is co-founder school closures, shelter-in-place, and to Georgia Tech’s Coronavirus Task and director of CHHS, and Serban voluntary quarantines. It also projects Force to assist with the campus leads the Health Analytics Group. resource needs such as hospital beds, response to the pandemic, and also ICU beds, and ventilators, and enables to the Covid-19 Recovery Task Force Together with ISyE Ph.D. students the team to evaluate the impact of to oversee the return to campus Arden Baxter and Buse Eylul Oruc in fall 2020. ▪ LAURIE HAIGH
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 33 COVID-19 RESPONSE ISyE Students Optimize Scrub Distribution to Medical Professionals
This summer, a Georgia-based manufacturer of medical scrubs employed three ISyE undergraduate students as interns to help build a more efficient order fulfillment process.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the company experienced increased orders, shipping more than 20,000 units daily from its Lithonia Springs warehouse. The interns — fourth-year Mary Claire Solomon and second-years Gabi Falcone and Annie Robinson — knew their project From left: Annie Robinson, Mary Claire Solomon, and Gabi Falcone was crucial to fulfilling the high demand. which was vital to optimizing the short orders to ensure items are not They focused on implementing a distribution process. While following in inventory and determines if a process to quickly fix short orders, physical distancing rules and wearing replenishment is on the way or needs which are orders that can’t be completed face coverings, the students worked side to be ordered. Once the missing item in the first round of picking because by side with warehouse employees. is located in inventory or is restocked, an item is missing. The previous the order is fulfilled and shipped. process of resolving short orders “We knew that getting scrubs to the took five days or more, and as a doctors and the nurses in the field As a result of this project, short orders result unresolved orders piled up. fueled their success,” Solomon said. can now be fixed in just one day and the number of orders that go through the Before devising and proposing The outcome was a process they called inventory control team has decreased ideas, the team conducted extensive “order hospital,” in which a select significantly. ▪ TAYLOR HUNTER research and worked in the warehouse, group of trained pickers investigates
Resiliency of On-Demand Multimodal Transit Systems during Pandemic Response
On June 3, 2020, the Socially Aware Using ridership data provided by the demonstrated the benefits of ODMTS Mobility (SAM) Lab met to discuss the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit using a real-time simulation for three resiliency of On-Demand Multimodal Authority (MARTA), the SAM team different demand scenarios: (1) a Transit Systems (ODMTS) during was able to map different demand normal “base case” scenario with 100% a pandemic response. In order to scenarios. Comparing data from March demand; (2) early- and post-pandemic adapt to the changes brought on by and April 2019 to March and April scenarios with 60% demand; and (3) a pandemic, transit systems must be 2020, the team found a significant a late-pandemic scenario with 20% equipped to handle both depressed decrease in rail ridership. While demand. The team found that not only demand and social distancing. ridership was down at all MARTA can the system handle the different stations, the decrease varied notice- demand scenarios smoothly, but also The SAM Lab has been working to ably at different locations due to the the average wait time decreases across configure an ODMTS pipeline that activities that generate ridership. the board due to depressed demand. accounts for changed behaviors to curb In addition, the proposed ODMTS the spread of the virus on the part of Using novel state-of-the-art optimiza- induces significantly less pressure both individuals and transit agencies. tion techniques for planning and on the budget while simultaneously operating transit systems, the team creating more jobs. ▪ RACHEL MUELLER
34 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering COVID-19 RESPONSE ISyE Staff, Students Volunteer to Support Mask-Making Organization Alumnus Joins Sewing Masks for Area Hospitals Twelve ISyE students also have volun- GeorgiaALIVE in (SMAH) is a 501(c)3 organization teered to assist with the organization, that provides supplementary cloth including Maya Menon, a third-year Support of Public face coverings to healthcare and student, and Nithya Koganti, a essential workers experiencing fifth-year student, who are working Health, Managing shortages of PPE due to the Covid-19 with Wunder-Smith on social media. pandemic. Founders initially The remaining 10 students have Pandemic Response expected the group to make about addressed the group’s supply chain 1,000 face coverings, but by the end issues to create a smoother operation. Bird Blitch (IE 1997) has long been of August, SMAH’s volunteers had interested in improving healthcare made and donated nearly 60,000. When asked what she has learned operations, to the point that he from this experience, Wunder-Smith co-founded Patientco, an Atlanta- Eight-thousand-plus group members said, “Go where the important work based payment technology company have helped 152 facilities since is happening, and give yourself to that works with healthcare systems SMAH’s inception. One of these it. Sometimes that means you don’t to provide patients with an easier members is Shelley Wunder-Smith, get to do the thing you’re best at. and more affordable billing strategy. a member of ISyE’s communica- Sometimes that means you find a So when the Covid-19 pandemic tions team, who serves as SMAH’s new way to do that thing. Sometimes hit Georgia in mid-March, it was communications director during her you find that the thing you’re actually natural for Blitch to join the steering off hours. Her duties largely involve best at is being willing to give yourself committee of GeorgiaALIVE, an managing SMAH’s creative team where you can help. Because if organization founded to protect and assisting with strategic planning the work is really important, you Georgia’s public health while for the organization. She also don’t have to be. Because it’s not fostering economic growth. responds to media requests, develops about you.” ▪ VICTOR ROGERS blog posts, and edits all external GeorgiaALIVE is currently focused documents for the organization. on driving awareness of public safety protocols, ensuring resource availability, supporting innovation efforts related to the prevention and treatment of Covid-19, and testing for the coronavirus. For example, the organization has initiated a social media and billboard campaign that encourages Georgians to wear face coverings for the health and safety of others. Through an online exchange with nearly 400 listings, GeorgiaALIVE has also connected suppliers and buyers of Covid-19 resources.
“One of GeorgiaALIVE’s initiatives includes sourcing and distributing masks for health systems and others in need. By aggregating, organizing, and connecting supply and demand data across Georgia, we make it easier for businesses to receive and offer help as we battle the pandemic,” said Blitch. ▪ SHELLEY WUNDER-SMITH LINDSAY SWEENEY LINDSAY
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 35 RESEARCH BRIEFS
DARPA Awards $9.2 Million Grant to Interagency Team Researching Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is a young, excit- ing field in computer science. Experts hope that its powerful processing capabilities will help the world solve increasingly complex problems.
To explore these new possibilities, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded several high-value, multi- stage grants. One such grant has gone to interagency group OPTIQ (Optimization with Trapped Ion Qubits). Led by the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), OPTIQ is a collaboration with Georgia Tech, Oak Ridge National Labs, and the
National Institute of Standards CANDLER HOBBS and Technology. Creston Herold, senior research scientist in GTRI’s A faculty member in one of the Gupta continued, “What particularly quantum systems division and foremost optimization departments excites me about this project is the head of the measurement branch, is in the country, Gupta is particularly opportunity to think beyond the the lead primary investigator (PI). interested in examining how challeng- classical model of computation that Swati Gupta, an assistant professor ing problems in classical optimization has paved the way for algorithmic in the H. Milton Stewart School of can be solved by quantum computing. design for decades, and to look for Industrial and Systems Engineering, new computational primitives that is the Georgia Tech PI. DARPA has “This program is really a race might change the face of computa- given OPTIQ up to $9.2 million over a between classical and quantum tion, as well as train a new generation four-year period for its investigations. models of computation. This means of researchers who are adept at both that we need to identify blind spots, classical and quantum techniques.” “Our OPTIQ team is going to explore i.e., identify the really hard problem special-purpose quantum hardware instances, for classical methods that Quantum computing has promising tailored to solving combinatorial can be improved by current quantum applications in pharmaceutical problems like Max-Cut, as well as to hardware,” she said. “This will give discovery and faster scientific show what’s called ‘quantum advan- us an opportunity to find barriers for simulations, as well as revolutionizing tage,’ — i.e., quantifiable advantage classical optimization and develop a artificial intelligence and the search over specific instances of such deeper understanding of what makes for new materials. The OPTIQ team problems where quantum hardware problems solvable classically.” is looking forward to the potential can outperform classical algorithms,” insights that may be generated by explained Gupta. Max-Cut is one of The OPTIQ team will build quantum bringing together quantum physicists the most famous NP-hard problems hardware based on trapped ions and optimization experts. ▪ that arise in operations research to run combinatorial optimization SHELLEY WUNDER-SMITH applications. Researchers have been problems, like Max-Cut, and attempting to solve it for over five benchmark its performance against decades using classical computers. the best classical optimizers.
36 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering RESEARCH BRIEFS
Pascal Van Hentenryck and Interdisciplinary Team Model Risk-Aware Use of Natural Energy Sources
As U.S. power grid operators increas- which will be an integral part of the ingly incorporate natural sources such paradigm shift needed to address as solar and wind into their energy mix, the increased stochasticity in load they must grapple with the irregular and generation. The goal is to supply of such resources. In contrast, transfer, adapt, and expand risk while conventional energy resources models from the financial industry such as natural gas and coal contribute and other engineering disciplines. to climate change, they are advanta- geous in their predictability. Grid The group from ISyE includes A. operators have been able to accurately Russell Chandler III Professor forecast their supply and demand for Roshan Joseph, Anderson-Interface decades, resulting in reliable power Early Career Professor and Associate availability for their customers. Professor Andy Sun, and Coca-Cola Chair in Engineering Statistics In order to find a way to manage the Jeff Wu, as well as undergraduate, intermittency — or stochasticity — of doctoral, and postdoctoral students. natural energy sources that introduce They are specifically looking at how additional risks and uncertain- to solve the stochastic optimization ties into energy supplies, the U.S. problems arising in MISO’s Department of Energy has awarded a real-time operations. Their high three-year, $3.25 million grant to an MISO. The RAMC team will begin dimensionality, and the real-time interdisciplinary team led by Pascal by learning from six years’ worth of constraints, raise fundamental Van Hentenryck, A. Russell Chandler operational data from MISO, which challenges in computational statistics, III Chair in the H. Milton Stewart has a large and complex power system stochastic optimization, risk School of Industrial and Systems that stretches from Minnesota to assessment, and machine learning. Engineering (ISyE). The team also Louisiana and incorporates numer- includes the Department of Civil ous wind farms. The collaboration is “The entire RAMC team brings a and Environmental Engineering at also unique in that MISO has a strong distinctive multidisciplinary expertise,” Vanderbilt University and the Midcon- research team that has already been Van Hentenryck noted. “It is only tinent Independent System Operator actively working to solve the challenges through the tight integration of these (MISO). Their project, “Risk-Aware of using natural sources of energy. fields that we can hope to overcome Market Clearing for Power Systems” the computational barriers.” (RAMC), will examine how to assess “MISO is one of the most innovative and minimize risks when integrating transmission operators in the U.S.,” Accurate modeling of supply and renewable sources of energy, and how Van Hentenryck said. “This partner- demand for wind and solar is also to advance stochastic optimization, ship means that the research will be a boon for consumers and national machine learning, and their integra- driven by real models and data, and security interests, lowering costs tion to meet the challenges of incorpo- will evaluate, with high fidelity, the and reliance on energy providers rating substantial shares of renewable impact and benefits of the optimiza- outside the U.S. Ultimately, the RAMC energy in the generation portfolio. tion models the RAMC team creates.” team intends to generate scalable solutions that can be adopted by Van Hentenryck is particularly The Vanderbilt team brings decades other grid operators in addition to enthusiastic about working with of experience in risk assessment, MISO. ▪ SHELLEY WUNDER-SMITH
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 37 RESEARCH BRIEFS
Rebuild Supply Chains for Quicker Hurricane Recovery
Alleviating suffering more effectively primarily on pushing relief supply Disaster preparedness requires in the wake of hurricanes may rather than restoring infrastructure collaboration among government, require a shift in relief strategies, and supply chains to normalcy, we relief agencies, and the private says a committee report by the may unwittingly delay recovery sector. All sectors would benefit National Academies of Science, and prolong the aftermath,” said from learning about supply chain Engineering, and Medicine. Keskinocak, who is also director of dynamics and sharing public-private Georgia Tech’s Center for Health partnership best practices. In the immediate aftermath, relief and Humanitarian Systems. agencies rush in survival supplies “After a big storm strikes, it is typically like water, food, medicine, and In 2017, after hurricanes Harvey, not possible for any one entity to blankets. But instead of prioritizing Irma, and Maria (Maria killed over handle it all alone,” Keskinocak said. and maintaining the relief supply 3,000 people), the Federal Emergency “Organizations such as FEMA could chains, restoring a normal supply Management Agency (FEMA) assigned play the role of a convener to ensure infrastructure could help more the National Academies to make various organizations collaborate, people more quickly. That’s the first recommendations on improving relief coordinate, and share information well recommendation from over 125 response. “We spoke to stakeholders ahead of time and in the aftermath.” pages of case studies and analyses, in affected areas — local governments, issued by an eight-member National businesses, health systems, and The report recommends a focus Academies committee that included more. We learned about the impact on preparedness rather than Pinar Keskinocak, William W. of storms on their community, post-disaster response. This could George Chair and professor in the H. what their participation was in the help alleviate situations in which Milton Stewart School of Industrial response process, and what went well FEMA marshals ample supplies but and Systems Engineering. and not so well,” Keskinocak said. then finds that these supplies are not needed or cannot be effectively Following a hurricane, mangled homes Challenges to coordinating resource distributed to those in need. and roads, contaminated water, and allocation, especially the logistics, shortages of everything compound have hindered recovery. This led to the “I have the utmost respect for what suffering. The report noted that report’s other major recommendations. FEMA does because they have to work restoring supply lines, primarily within under the most difficult circumstances, the private sector, would accelerate “Areas where hurricanes may strike and these conditions may put them recovery — but relief efforts can need to get a good understanding into binds that are out of their control,” unintentionally conflict with that. of how supply chains work under Keskinocak said. “More preparedness normal conditions along with their on the ground could help get FEMA, “Relief supply chains inevitably vulnerabilities, or weak links, so they local governments, private sector, and compete with regular supply chains, can be proactive in strengthening nongovernmental relief agencies to given limited resources such as supply,” Keskinocak explained. achieve synergies for saving lives and transportation. If the focus is alleviating suffering.” ▪ BEN BRUMFIELD
38 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering RESEARCH BRIEFS
ISyE Team Places Third in National ARPA-E GO Competition
A team led by Anderson-Interface a problem that industry experts have Early Career Professor and Associ- been trying to solve since the 1960s.” ate Professor Andy Sun in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial For competition purposes, the DOE and Systems Engineering (ISyE) provided blind data sets pulled from placed third out of 27 teams in the actual power grids — blind because first round of the U.S. Department of security risks. The 27 teams then of Energy’s (DOE) ARPA-E Grid created algorithms to make the grids Optimization (GO) Competition. operate as efficiently as possible, The team also included A. Russell which was not a simple task. Chandler III Professor Santanu Dey and three Ph.D. students — Amin “To design an algorithm, we had to Gholami, Kaizhao Sun, and Shixuan have some theoretical understanding Zhang — advised by Sun. of the problem and its constraints,” said Zhang. “The theory is one thing, For the competition, the DOE devised but trying to provide code that a series of challenges to develop is robust and resilient to bugs or software management solutions for failures is another. We spent a good intricate power grid problems to bit of time debugging our code and create a more reliable, resilient, and testing the algorithm as extensively secure American electricity grid. as possible on our own server.” “The goal of the GO
Decades ago, the national electricity Sun praised the Ph.D. students’ work. Competition was to grid was dominated by large, central- “They’ve done a fantastic job,” he said. devise sophisticated ized power companies, but in recent “Their task was to build a robust piece years the grid has been broken up into of software from scratch in a very software solutions that smaller units held by individual power short time period. Shixuan, Amin, and improve overall grid companies, such as Georgia Power. Kaizhao took on the responsibility of doing the coding and testing.” reliability. This is a “All these individual units make problem that industry coordination, and thus reliability, The next steps involve further testing harder to achieve,” Sun explained. of the algorithm and evaluating the experts have been “And then if you factor in sustainable economic impact it could have on trying to solve since energy sources like wind and solar, energy systems. Sun’s team will par- that also introduces uncertainty, ticipate in a second challenge round. the 1960s.” all in an industry where 100% The top 10 teams share a $3.4 million dependability is key. So the goal of prize, which is to be used to further ANDY SUN the GO Competition was to devise develop their respective approaches sophisticated software solutions that and pursue industry adoption of their improve overall grid reliability. This is technologies. ▪ SHELLEY WUNDER-SMITH
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 39 Data Analytics Are Key to Baseball Star Michael Guldberg’s Athletic, Academic Pursuits GT ATHLETICS
Michael Guldberg has a knack for to participate in baseball workouts often. What I like is getting more into numbers. Just glance at his stat because he was still recovering from the analytics side, seeing the trees of an line as a three-year member of the an injury, he accepted a data scientist 0-0 count, then 0-1 or 1-0 the other way. Georgia Tech baseball team. internship with Terbium Labs in You can see how pitchers attack hitters Baltimore. There, he worked in dark and alter your approach in response.” He has a .374 career batting average web data monitoring, using Python and 119 hits in three seasons — only scripts to scrape the dark web to Guldberg said that he could see one of which was a full season. After identify credit card or identity fraud. himself working as a data analyst battling injuries in his first two seasons or in a front office for a major with the Yellow Jackets, he was off to Back at Tech, Guldberg eventually league team down the road. one of the best starts in team history declared data analytics as his ISyE con- when it comes to batting average. centration — a natural route for a base- “I think that’s kind of right up my alley to ball player who, throughout his career, be honest,” he said. “The more I get edu- Over the course of his athletic career in will encounter a vast repository of data. cated and play baseball and am around Atlanta the numbers followed Guldberg, it, it seems like a good direction to go in.” leaving no secret as to why he was Data analytics as a field has become drafted in the third round of the Major almost synonymous with baseball. From Guldberg has both the athletic and League Baseball first-year player’s draft the use of sabermetrics to charting academic backgrounds for it, having by the Oakland Athletics in June 2020. impacts of infield shifts to decision been named a First-Team Academic trees that identify the probability a All-American last year. He is only But it’s not just the numbers on the field pitcher will throw a certain pitch in the fourth Georgia Tech baseball that resonate with Guldberg, who was a a given count, the numbers in the player to receive that honor. student in the H. Milton Stewart School sport are endless — a perfect hook of Industrial and Systems Engineering for a player interested in the field. After his baseball career comes to an (ISyE). Early in his academic career at end, of course. And that may be a ways Georgia Tech, he took a programming “I kind of understand it on both down the road yet. ▪ DAVID MITCHELL with Python class (CS 1301), a require- sides,” Guldberg said. “More so on ment for the major. For the first time he the baseball side, and I’m working to came across programming languages and understand it on the back end now too. data analytics, and the dots between aca- demics and athletics instantly connected. “Every game we have a hitter’s meeting beforehand, and that’s the time we use To learn more about ISyE’s under- Since then, Guldberg’s interest has to watch video and see their sprays graduate concentration in data grown. In the summer of 2019, unable of where they throw pitches and how analytics, read the story on page 49.
40 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering ISyE Grad Raianna Brown Performs in Super Bowl Halftime Show
She’s a full-time engineer and consul- “I really feel like that prepared me to tant — and a professional dancer who perform in Hard Rock Stadium,” she said. performed on one of the world’s biggest stages in February. Georgia Tech also primed her with the skills she needs to keep up with an Raianna Brown auditioned to dance incredibly hectic schedule. When she’s at Super Bowl LIV in Miami just a few not dancing professionally, Brown is head months after she earned her bachelor’s of software development at CMB Global degree from the H. Milton Stewart School Partners, a consulting firm in Atlanta. On of Industrial and Systems Engineering. any given day, she could be splitting her And after being selected as part of an elite time between coding and choreography. cadre of performers, the work began. “My time at Tech really prepared me for “We rehearsed for about a month,” Brown how to balance my career and dance,” explained. “It was definitely one of the Brown said. best dance experiences I’ve had. Working with this team has taught me so much She’s also thankful for the support she about large-scale performances and how has received from the greater Georgia to truly put on a show to be seen around Tech community. Aside from being the world.” It’s estimated that 102 million featured by the official Instagram account Brown prepares to dance with Shakira on the biggest stage of her career during the Super viewers tuned in to the game. (@instagram) during the Super Bowl, Bowl Halftime Show. Brown also got a shoutout from her While this might be the biggest stage yet, former college. Brown is used to performing in front of a crowd. “They used my hashtag I started, #WhoSaysEngineersCantBeDancers, She danced with Georgia Tech’s Goldrush and that really meant a lot to me.” ▪ and was a mainstay on the sidelines at STEVEN NORRIS Georgia Tech football and basketball games. Faculty Awards, Appointments, and Promotions
FACULTY AWARDS It is one of the most prestigious Tech to hold both honors. He is also honors bestowed by ICS. Monteiro’s the first mathematician in the NAS to Professor co-recipient is his former student, Sam specialize in optimization. Dave Burer (Ph.D. 2001). In announcing the Goldsman 2020 award, ICS referenced Monteiro Nemirovski’s research focuses on opti- was chosen as and Burer’s “pioneering work on mization theory and algorithms, with an INFORMS low-rank semidefinite programming.” an emphasis on investigating complex- Fellow for ity and developing efficient algorithms 2020. Fellows This is Monteiro’s second time for nonlinear convex programs, optimi- are selected for receiving the award, making him one of zation under uncertainty, applications outstanding the few researchers to win it more than of convex optimization in engineering, lifetime accom- Dave Goldsman once. He initially received the ICS Prize and nonparametric statistics. plishments and in 2001 with co-recipient Yin Zhang. contributions to the field of operations research (OR) and analytics, and it is Monteiro’s research interests lie in A. Russell one of the highest honors in the OR continuous optimization and complex- Chandler III profession. Goldsman is also director of ity of algorithms — both the theory and Chair and master’s programs in ISyE. applications. This balanced research Professor focus has led to major contributions Alexander His research interests include simula- in the field of continuous optimiza- Shapiro was tion output analysis; statistical ranking tion, most notably in interior point elected to the and selection methods; and medical algorithms and low-rank methods for NAE Class of and humanitarian applications of OR. solving large-scale linear and semidefi- 2020. Election He has published extensively with over nite programs. to the NAE Alexander Shapiro 75 articles in journals such as Manage- is among ment Science, Operations Research, the highest professional distinctions and IISE Transactions. He has co- John Hunter accorded an engineer. In announcing authored 20 book chapters and three Chair and Shapiro’s election to the prestigious textbooks. Goldsman has also served as Professor organization, the NAE commended associate editor for Sequential Analysis Arkadi him for “contributions to the theory, and The Journal of Simulation, among Nemirovski computation, and application of other journals. was elected to stochastic programming.” the National Academy of Shapiro researches stochastic program- Professor Sciences (NAS). ming; risk analysis; simulation-based Renato In announcing Arkadi Nemirovski optimization; nondifferentiable Monteiro his election, optimization and nonsmooth analysis; was awarded the NAS commended Nemirovski for sensitivity analysis and optimization of the 2020 “outstanding contributions to founda- queuing networks; sensitivity analysis INFORMS tional mathematics.” of nonlinear programs; and multivari- Computing ate statistical analysis. Society (ICS) NAS membership is a widely accepted Prize. The ICS mark of excellence in science and is Prize is given Renato Monteiro considered one of the highest honors a Coca-Cola Chair in Engineering annually for scientist can receive. Nemirovski was Statistics and Professor C.F. the best English language paper or accepted into the National Academy of “Jeff” Wu received the Class of group of related papers dealing with Engineering (NAE) in 2017 and is one 1934 Distinguished Professor Award, the OR/computer science interface. of only two faculty members at Georgia Georgia Tech’s highest honor given
42 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering to a faculty is the NSF’s Junior Faculty Teaching Excellence member. most presti- Award from Georgia Tech’s Center The award gious award for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and recognizes in support of BP America. outstanding early-career achievement faculty who in teaching, have the Lecturer and Advisor Damon P. research, and potential Williams received a Student Recogni- service. Insti- to serve as tion of Excellence in Teaching: Class of tuted in 1984 C.F. “Jeff” Wu academic Rachel Cummings 1934 Award from Georgia Tech. by the Class of role models 1934 in observance of its 50th reunion, in research and education and to lead it is presented to a professor who has advances in the mission of their depart- FACULTY made significant long-term contribu- ment or organization. APPOINTMENTS tions that have brought widespread recognition to the professor, to his or Cummings studies a parametrized Professor Santanu Dey has her school, and to the Institute. privacy notion known as differential been appointed associate chair for privacy. It provides a mathematically graduate studies (ACGS) and to an A. Wu also received Sigma Xi’s Monie rigorous bound on the amount of Russell Chandler III Professorship. A. Ferst Award. This national-level information leaked about an individual The professorship was endowed by award, sponsored by Georgia Tech’s by performing an analysis on a data set A. Russell Chandler III (IE 1967) to Sigma Xi chapter, recognizes those that contains that person’s informa- enhance the ability of ISyE to attract who have made “notable contributions tion. Differential privacy has quickly and retain eminent teacher-scholars. to the motivation and encouragement become the gold standard for privacy- of research through education.” Wu preserving data analysis. Dey’s research focuses on non-convex joins just a handful of Institute faculty optimization and mixed-integer linear members who have been so recognized and nonlinear programming. His since the award’s inception in 1977. Georgia Power Professor Nagi research is partly motivated by applica- Wu is considered a visionary in engi- Gebraeel received a Student Recogni- tions of non-convex optimization neering statistics. During a 1997 lecture tion of Excellence in Teaching: Class of arising in areas such as electrical power he popularized the term “data science,” 1934 Award from Georgia Tech. systems, the petroleum industry, and which is now used worldwide. He was logistics. The professorship will help the first academic statistician elected further his work in these areas. to the NAE, and he has received almost Professor of the Practice Ron every award in the field of engineering Johnson received the Educational In his role as ACGS, Dey provides statistics. He is also the only person Leadership Award at the Black direction and oversight for all ISyE in statistical sciences to have received Engineer of the Year Awards Gala. graduate students and programs, with all three of the following awards: the a specific focus on doctoral programs. Committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies (COPSS) Presidents Award Academic Professional Jon Lowe, in 1987, the COPSS Fisher Lecture in who leads ISyE’s academic advising UPS Professor of Logistics Alan 2011, and the Deming Lecture in 2012. office, received the 2020 Institute of Erera has been appointed associate Industrial & Systems Engineers South- chair for research, which is a new posi- eastern Region Faculty Advisor Award. tion within ISyE’s leadership structure. Assistant Professor Rachel Prior to this appointment, Erera spent Cummings was awarded a CAREER six years as ISyE’s ACGS. grant from the National Science Assistant Professor Siva Theja Foundation (NSF). The CAREER grant Maguluri received the CTL/BP continued on page 45
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 43 ISyE Welcomes New Faculty
Professor Jing Li joined ISyE in August 2020. Prior to coming to Georgia Tech, she was a faculty member at Arizona State University and is co-founder of the ASU-Mayo Clinic Center for Innovative Imaging. Her research develops statistical machine- learning algorithms for modeling and inference of medical image data, and fusion of images, genomics, and clinical records. Her research outcomes support clinical decision-making for diagnosis, prognosis, and telemedicine for various conditions affecting the brain, such as brain cancer, post- traumatic headache and migraine, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer’s disease. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Department of Defense, and industries. Li is an NSF CAREER awardee. She received a Ph.D. in industrial and operations engineering and an M.A. in statistics from the Uni- Top row: Jing Li, Nick Sahinidis, Lauren Steimle versity of Michigan, and a B.S. in civil Bottom row: Shihao Yang, Brandy Ball Blake, Parisa Yousefi Zowj engineering from Tsinghua University.
Inaugural Gary C. Butler Family Carathéodory Prize in 2015; and the She uses these methods to inform Chair and Professor Nick National Award and Gold Medal from decisions related to the prevention Sahinidis joined ISyE in August 2020. the Hellenic Operational Research and treatment of diseases and chronic Prior to this appointment, he was a Society in 2016. He is editor in chief of conditions. She received an NSF professor of chemical engineering and Optimization and Engineering and a Graduate Student Research Fellowship director of the Center for Advanced fellow of INFORMS and the American and was a member of the third-place Process Decision-Making at Carnegie Institute of Chemical Engineers. team in the New England Journal of Mellon University and a faculty Medicine’s SPRINT Data Challenge. member at the University of Illinois at Assistant Professor Lauren She earned her Ph.D. and M.S.E. in Urbana-Champaign. Throughout his Steimle joined ISyE in January industrial and operations engineering career, he has pioneered algorithms 2020. Her research interests include from the University of Michigan, and and developed widely used software operations research and data analytics her B.S. in systems science and engi- for optimization and machine learning. with applications to decision-making neering from Washington University. Sahinidis’ research won the INFORMS in medicine and public health. Her Computing Society Prize in 2004; the work has focused on sequential Assistant Professor Shihao Yang Beale-Orchard-Hays Prize from the decision-making, decision-making joined ISyE in August 2020. Prior Mathematical Programming Society in under uncertainty, and computational to joining Georgia Tech, he served 2006; the Computing in Chemical Engi- optimization including Markov decision as a postdoctoral researcher in the neering Award in 2010; the Constantin processes and stochastic programming. Department of Biomedical Informatics
44 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering Faculty Awards, Appointments, and Promotions at Harvard Medical School. His continued from page 43 retain eminent teacher-scholars to primary research interest is using In his new role, Erera will work with a position of academic leadership in big data to solve real-life problems the School’s faculty members to industrial and systems engineering. focusing on three perspectives: develop and sustain their research Shapiro’s research interests focus on methodological development, programs. This will include identifying stochastic programming, risk analysis, computational tools, and probabi- new research opportunities and foster- simulation-based optimization, listic modeling. He has developed ing relationships with funding agen- nonsmooth analysis, and multivariate methods for infectious disease cies, foundations, and industry. He will statistical analysis. This appoint- prevalence forecasts, and built a also work to coordinate research efforts ment will help develop and support tailor-made matching method to with other Institute units and will look Shapiro’s work in these areas. study cancer immunotherapy with for opportunities for ISyE faculty to electronic health data. He also intro- join or lead interdisciplinary efforts. Prior to this appointment, Shapiro duced a new method for paralleliz- held an A. Russell Chandler III able Markov chain Monte Carlo and Professorship. another fast approximation method Professor Dave Goldsman has for inference in dynamic systems. been appointed director of master’s He received his Ph.D. and A.M. in programs. In this role, Goldsman A. Russell Chandler III Chair and statistics from Harvard University, will oversee ISyE’s master’s degree Professor Pascal Van Hentenryck and his B.Sc. in actuarial science programs in industrial engineering, has been appointed associate chair from the University of Hong Kong. operations research, health systems, for innovation and entrepreneurship, statistics, and computational science which is a new position within ISyE’s Brandy Ball Blake joined ISyE and engineering. This includes super- leadership structure. In this role, Van as director of professional and vising recruitment and admission of Hentenryck will lead the development technical communication in August master’s students, monitoring their of “blue sky” initiatives, foster and 2020. In this role, she coaches ISyE progress, and helping deal with other nurture a culture of innovation and students on writing, presentations, issues as they arise. entrepreneurship, facilitate transla- visual design, and data visualization tional research, and build strategic for Senior Design and Cornerstone partnerships for ISyE. Design classes. Blake also researches Professor Roshan Joseph has been perceptions of engineers in culture appointed to an A. Russell Chandler and how those perceptions shape III Professorship, which was endowed Early Career Professorship the way they communicate. by A. Russell Chandler III (IE 1967) to Appointments enhance the ability of ISyE to attract Parisa Yousefi Zowj joined ISyE • Assistant Professor Swati Gupta — and retain eminent teacher-scholars. in August 2020 as a lecturer. Her Fouts Family Early Career Joseph’s research covers the broad research focuses on developing Professorship areas of applied and computational sta- multi-resolution analytical tools tistics. A major focus of his research is • Assistant Professor Siva Theja including wavelets and autocorrela- developing novel statistical methods for Maguluri — Fouts Family Early tion shells for signal and image pro- solving complex engineering problems. Career Professorship cessing with applications in medical He also has several years of consulting decision-making. She has also been experience in solving quality-related • Assistant Professor He Wang — working on Bayesian methods for problems in industries. The professor- Colonel John B. Day Early Career modeling genetic consequences of ship will help strengthen and advance Professorship the transatlantic slave trade. She is his research in these areas. currently an ISyE teaching fellow. FACULTY Professor Alexander Shapiro has PROMOTIONS been appointed to an A. Russell Chandler III Chair. The A. Russell Yajun Mei has been promoted Chandler III Chair endowment to professor. enhances ISyE’s ability to attract and
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 45 SENIOR DESIGN
Fall 2019 Capstone Expo Winner: Team Sky’s the Limit
Out of 143 teams from seven schools and two colleges at Georgia Tech, including 23 teams from the From left: Afreen Fahad, Valerie H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE), an ISyE Senior Design team Cristobal, Madison Messier, took home the prize for best overall project for the Fall 2019 semester. This is just the second time an Kelsey Keith, Priya Sharma, ISyE team has received the top Capstone award. Mack Hathaway, Thomas Suh, Carolina Llerena, and ISyE The winning team, Sky’s the Limit, worked with Delta Airlines In-Flight Services. The project School Chair Edwin Romeijn examined Delta’s distribution network to consolidate warehouse inventory and optimize trucking. The team evaluated how Delta stores and transports in-flight materials that get packed for flights, such as pillows and snacks. Team members discovered that these items were stored in a range of warehouses and were delivered by partially filled trucks. They found that reducing warehouse operational costs and increasing truck utilization would result in significant yearly savings of 17%.
Fall 2019 Finalist: Team Ocsic The team worked with Cisco Systems to maximize recovery value from returned products, which was achieved by intro- ducing a new mathematical model to allocate products to channels based on expected profit; consolidating inventory to facilitate its reallocation between channels; and enabling e-commerce retailers to serve as alternative remarketing channels. Implementing these steps would increase profit by 40% for fiscal year 2019, reduce scrapped products by 12.7%, From left: Emily Kornegay, Brandon Kang, Yihua Xu, Yunsang Kim, Daniel reduce average inventory by 18.4%, and avoid sending Alayo-Matos, Mayke Vercruyssen, Hailun Chang, Peyton Skinner, and A. 6,350 pounds of material to a landfill. Russell Chandler III Chair and Professor Alexander Shapiro (advisor) Team members: Kenneth Bassett, Kyle Brown, Jayanth Fall 2019 Best ISyE Project at Capstone Chintham, Nicholas Franco, Mustafa Gharaibeh, Eleana Expo and Best of ISyE Senior Design Padilla, Seong Hwan Park, and Erik Pulido, and Director of Winner: Team Authority Life Student Services Dawn Strickland (advisor)
Team Authority Life, which worked with the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) Authority, not only took home the Fall 2019 Finalist: Team PIVOT Capstone prize for best ISyE project but also won the ISyE The team worked with PIVOT, a manufacturer of carts and Best of Senior Design Competition. kiosks for food and beverage vendors. Demand for PIVOT’s products has increased rapidly, but an essential resource — The GWCC hosts around 300 events in Atlanta annually and skilled manufacturing employees — is in short supply. To is transforming its business model to a data-driven assess- satisfy increasing demand, the team designed a production ment of profitability on a per-event basis. The Senior Design system that utilizes lower-skilled employees in the complex team developed and implemented three models to achieve assembly process and created tools to help execute it. Once this goal: a rooms-to-event assignment optimization model, implemented, the improvements doubled system throughput a cost prediction model, and a profit margin classification. and decreased labor costs by 16.7%. The team also designed a web app to integrate the three models. Through this new integrated data-driven approach, Team members: Walid Abdi, Jacob Carlton, Sunny Chen, the GWCC Authority’s annual profits are projected to Renee Desprez, David Guo, Mara Hayes, Rizwan Khan, and increase by about $1.1 million. Chloe Kim, and Associate Professor Anton Kleywegt (advisor)
46 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering SENIOR DESIGN Spring 2020 Senior Design Results in Tied Winning Teams
Despite the spring semester’s challenges ensuing from the Covid-19 pandemic, which included all classes at Georgia Tech moving to 100% online instruction and cancellation of the semiannual Capstone Expo, 30 Senior Design teams from ISyE successfully completed their projects.
ISyE still held its Best of Senior Design competition — virtually via BlueJeans — on Tuesday, April 28. Over 300 people attended the event, at which three teams presented their projects for Buffalo Wild Wings (BWW), GWCC, and Plasmaxis (Kinaxis). Teams GWCC and Kinaxis tied as winners.
Both teams also gained national recognition in the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineering Capstone Award Top row, from left: Maria Yagnye, Yash Babulal Lunagaria, Osman Ghandour; Competition. Kinaxis made it into the top 10 teams and middle row, from left: Alice Pagoto, Aniruddh Hari; bottom row, from left: GWCC was one of the top three finalists. Brice Edelman, Nosrat Chowdhury (not pictured: Professor Emeritus Leon McGinnis, advisor)
Spring 2020 Best of ISyE Senior Design Winner: Team Kinaxis The team, with a project named “Plasmaxis: Plasma Production Planning,” partnered with Kinaxis, a supply chain planning software company, to improve the efficiency of a major biopharmaceutical manufacturer’s global supply chain for plasma-derived therapeutics. The team developed an optimization model that plans plasma fractionation into “pastes,” an intermediate product in the manufacturing system. This model was integrated into a software tool for use by the client’s production planners. The improvements will save the client an estimated $4.5 million annually and allow it From left: Benjamin Espy, Erin Abbott, Elena Buter, Sahana Subramanian, to deliver lifesaving medication more rapidly to those in need. Abhita Moorthy, Toral Kadakia, Kiran Gite, and Caleb Tysor (not pictured: Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies and Associate Professor Chen Zhou, advisor)
Spring 2020 Best of ISyE Senior Design Spring 2020 Finalist: Team BWW Winner: Team GWCC The team worked to improve BWW’s beer selection The GWCC team’s project, “Waste Diversion System strategy. It implemented demand forecasting and stream- Design,” created solutions for its client that will have a lined the product selection process to increase profit and significant environmental impact. The project diverted 13% generate the most profitable monthly product mix on a of waste from the landfill in 2019; standardized processes store-by-store basis. The proposed system, which can be and incentive-based fee structures can increase diversion utilized at any BWW location, observed a $30,000 average to 45%. Using a custom web application, GWCC can predict annual increase in profit per store and reduced the product conference waste hauls, track conference charges, and selection process time from six months to two weeks. reward sustainable conferences. The waste operation can improve from a 7% loss to a 20% profit. The 32% increase Team members: Diego Granizo, Ashwin Haritsa, in waste diversion saves the equivalent of 3,054 tons of Selin Karaoguz, Philip Murray, Katie Neil, Wilson Pu, CO2 and creates a roughly $473,000 impact on the local Katie Wah, and Andrew Yowell, and Virginia C. and recycling industry. Joseph C. Mello Professor Nicoleta Serban (advisor)
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 47 STUDENT ESSAY
Carving My Own Path
My name is Yassin, and I will be introducing a change to a physiological graduating in May 2021. As a system in order to understand how first-generation college student, I the body is affected by a stimulus. ensured that my course of study would both provide support for my family In addition, a systems-level perspec- and unite my passions. I seriously tive is essential in both fields. A core considered a variety of fields, but tenet of industrial engineering is that there has always been something any change made to a subprocess will especially captivating about the way invariably affect every other part of its STEM tickles my brain. To me, these larger process. Likewise in medicine, disciplines strike the perfect balance the body functions as one complete between objective rigidity and creative anatomical structure, and even though expression, because even though the a patient may have multiple conditions goal of STEM work usually involves that seem disparate, each directly the use of quantitative benchmarks, contributes to overall well-being. the methodologies and tools created to achieve those targets are as diverse Healthcare is a vitally essential as any traditionally artistic endeavor. “I chose to field at the continually expanding forefront of scientific understanding I chose to study industrial engineering study industrial and technological advancement. In at Georgia Tech because the applicabil- engineering at combining both of my undergraduate ity of systems analysis offers a limitless majors, I plan to pursue a master’s array of work opportunities, and it has Georgia Tech degree in health systems before always been my preference to open because the applying to medical school. With a doors of possibility rather than take a strong background in the analysis of narrower approach. My confidence in applicability of health systems and the science that this choice was confirmed during my systems analysis underlies medicine, I aspire to be a Senior Design semester in which my physician who carries a holistic view of fellow students’ teams engaged with a offers a limitless the industry I serve. ▪ YASSIN WATSON plethora of industries. My own team’s array of work project focused on the manufacturing and warehousing processes of LW opportunities.” Scientific, a medical device company. YASSIN WATSON Yassin Watson completed his ISyE Our efforts to improve the efficiency degree and social justice minor with with which laboratories and hospitals high honors in 2019 and will finish receive lifesaving equipment affirmed his biology coursework and anatomy that my greatest passion is to serve and physiology minor in May 2021. people in medical need. Because of Both disciplines necessitate The recipient of numerous awards, this, I chose to pursue an additional evidence-based decision-making. Yassin has participated in several degree in biology to better understand In industrial engineering, we begin research projects that include study- medicine from a scientific perspective. work by collecting data that is then ing Alzheimer’s disease, experimental repeatedly analyzed using statistical design in biology education, and I am passionate about all aspects methods until a reasonable conclu- facility planning in the wake of of healthcare, but I am most sion can be reached. Similarly, a Covid-19. He serves as a Healthy excited by the role of physician. physician’s treatment decisions are Jackets peer educator, diversity And although the health profes- backed by medical literature, which ambassador, and president of Tri- sions are not a typical path for an is itself a vast collection of numerous Beta Biology Honor Society, among industrial engineering student, many individual instances of strikingly many other activities. Yassin will aspects of industrial engineering similar procedures. Researchers begin his master’s degree in health directly parallel medical care. collect information before and after systems at ISyE in August 2021.
48 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering Program Enhancements Due to the increasing demand in both industry and academia for professionals well-versed in machine learning and data analytics, ISyE has created two cutting-edge curricula enhancements for its students: a Ph.D. program in machine learning and an undergraduate concentration in data analytics.
Machine Learning Ph.D. Program Data Analytics Concentration
In response to the rapidly increasing use of machine The demand for a workforce versant in data analytics learning in the workforce, Georgia Tech has developed continues to increase, and ISyE has responded by the machine learning (ML) Ph.D. program. An inter- providing undergraduates a way to specialize and market disciplinary degree, the program offers classes within themselves in this growing field. The analytics and data the colleges of Computing, Engineering, and Sciences. science (ADS) concentration complements the ISyE “With the growing need for research and students with bachelor’s degree by preparing students to use data science this expertise, it was very important to create a dedicated to facilitate decision-making and improve systems. educational program for this particular field,” explained Yao Xie, ISyE associate professor, Harold R. and Mary The coursework is challenging and hands-on. Chen Zhou, Anne Nash Early Career Professor, and associate director ISyE associate chair for undergraduate studies, noted that of the Center for Machine Learning at Georgia Tech. considerable effort was put into creating a curriculum that prepares students to stand out in the data analytics field. The multifaceted program provides hands-on training and course flexibility to prepare students to tap the potential Alumna Hannah Murray (IE 2020) was looking for of machine learning. The typical ML Ph.D. student has a an alternative to the supply chain engineering career strong foundation in analytics and mathematical training path taken by many ISyE students, and she decided to but also can adapt, academically, to many different subjects. try the new ADS concentration. According to her, the opportunity to study data analytics — including machine The flexible coursework provides passionate students learning — as an undergraduate means an introduction the opportunity to focus on what they’re most inter- to topics usually covered in advanced academic study. ested in. Additionally, the majority of these students participate in industry-associated projects or faculty-led “My favorite part was all of the project-based work research projects funded by federal agencies. within the ADS curriculum,” Murray explained. “I got to take interesting classes that some people don’t take “There are plenty of opportunities to work on real-life until grad school.” This exposure prompted Murray to research projects that have societal and industrial impacts. continue her data analytics education by enrolling in This research exposure is incredibly valuable and is Georgia Tech’s Master of Science in Analytics program. tightly integrated with the academic program,” Xie said. Students with this concentration often become consultants Jana Boerger, a Ph.D. student studying ML applications for or analysts. Companies are increasingly hiring for positions logistics and supply chain management, said, “I realized that process and analyze data, so the introduction of this early in my undergraduate education that companies concentration aims to meet this need. ▪ TAYLOR HUNTER don’t use data as much as they could. I wanted to learn more about how to make data-driven decisions. For example, when you use a smartphone, machine learning decides what ads are going to be shown to you when you’re scrolling through various social networks.” “My favorite part was all of the While machine learning is virtually everywhere, there is still a lot left to be discovered, and Georgia project-based work within the ADS Tech is paving the way. ▪ TAYLOR HUNTER curriculum. I got to take interesting classes that some people don’t take until grad school.” HANNAH MURRAY
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 49 ADVISORY BOARD
Get to Know ISyE’s Newest Advisory Board Members
Alexia Borden, Rita Breen, Kniffen Kelly, Kenneth Klaer, and Evan Toporek joined the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) Advisory Board in the summer of 2020.
These five, along with 15 other distinguished professional and community leaders, serve as a
sounding board for the school Alexia Borden (IE 2001) is senior Rita Breen (M.S. IE 1992) is executive chair in an advisory capacity vice president and general counsel director of charitable giving for and assist with the School’s for Alabama Power Company, Georgia Power and is responsible for the second-largest subsidiary of its foundation and corporate giving development goals. Each new Southern Company. She is both the programs, with a focus on the Georgia member will serve a four-year youngest person and the first woman Power Foundation. Prior to this role, term (2020-24). Ronda Sides to hold this position. Prior to this she served as chief of staff for the role, she focused her legal career senior vice president of marketing (IE 1983), co-founder of in environmental/natural resource and held management positions in Extreme Logic, was named the issues and governmental relations. In customer service and marketing at Advisory Board’s new chair, addition to her ISyE degree, Borden Georgia Power. In addition to her ISyE holds a degree from the University degree, Breen has a B.S. in applied and Scott Herren (IE 1984), of Alabama School of Law. psychology from Georgia Tech. CFO of Autodesk, was named vice-chair. Both will serve a Who was your favorite professor? What ISyE class do you “I had so many great professors, still draw from today? one-year term in these roles. but I would have to say Spiridon “Statistics has been a constant Reveliotis sticks out as a favorite. companion in my career when He always had a smile on his face examining data — understanding and brought wit and enthusiasm to statistical significance with data applied operations and workflow.” enhances one’s understanding of what’s working and where improvements are needed.”
50 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering ADVISORY BOARD
Kniffen Kelly (IE 1995, M.S. IE Kenneth Klaer (IE 1981) is executive Evan Toporek (IE 1993) is founder 1999) is CEO of Shebang LLC, a vice president of Comcast Cable and and managing member of Thread company that provides consulting president of Comcast Technology Ventures, an investment and advisory services in transportation. Prior to Solutions, where he leads Comcast’s firm focused on helping early-stage starting Shebang, Kelly served as syndication, wholesale, video consumer products reach their director of customer experience at platform, and ad delivery businesses. potential. Prior to launching Thread Amazon and spent 16 years at UPS Prior to his career at Comcast, Klaer Ventures, Toporek co-owned and in various roles, eventually working spent eight years at Cisco Systems was the CEO of Alternative Apparel, with every functional business unit. in various leadership roles. a global lifestyle apparel brand.
What was your favorite What was your favorite What class do you still class and why? class and why? draw from today? “It seems serendipitous now, but “My favorite class was the Senior “Statistics. I help early-stage my favorite class was Logistics and Design project where I got to work companies grow. The access to Transportation, taught by Professor with some fantastic team members affordable software and analytics Don Ratliff, which I took my graduat- and apply some of our ISyE learnings tools allows entrepreneurs to make ing quarter. I had an instant affinity to a very real problem. We must have informed decisions on the fly rather for networks — their powerful yet done well, because I completed a co-op than simply trusting their intuition.” predictable behavior and broad for the company and ultimately began applicability. After graduation, I went my post-graduation career there.” to work for CAPS Logistics where I worked with amazing people, learned valuable skills, and built and launched products. I couldn’t have asked for a better first job out of undergrad.”
Alumni Magazine, Fall 2020 51 In Memoriam
John Bartholdi III Robin Thomas John Bartholdi III, Robin Thomas, Regents Manhattan Associates/ Professor in the School Dabbiere Chair and of Mathematics and an professor in the H. adjunct faculty member Milton Stewart School of in ISyE, passed away Industrial and Systems on March 26, 2020. Engineering (ISyE) and He was also director of co-executive director of the interdisciplinary the Georgia Tech Panama Algorithms, Combinator- Logistics Innovation & ics, and Optimization Research Center, passed (ACO) Ph.D. program away on Oct. 29, 2019. sponsored by ISyE, the Bartholdi was a respected ISyE faculty member who College of Computing, and the School of Mathematics. made important contributions to the supply chain field, particularly in warehousing and logistics. “ACO is an outstanding program largely due to Robin’s contributions,” said Santanu Dey, A. Russell Chandler “John Bartholdi was a valued colleague and friend,” III Professor and associate chair for graduate studies in said ISyE School Chair Edwin Romeijn. “He made ISyE. “He cared deeply about the quality of the program. substantial contributions to his field, to ISyE, and He is a role model for many of us both as researchers to the Institute as the co-director of Georgia Tech and as administrators. His passing is a huge loss.” Panama. Our sincerest condolences go out to John’s family, friends, and students. He will be missed.” In addition to his significant impact on the ACO program, Thomas was a world leader in graph theory and One of Bartholdi’s most famous warehousing solutions is spent more than 30 years as a professor at Georgia Tech. the so-called bucket brigade, which offers an innovative He worked closely with many faculty members in ISyE method of self-organizing order-picking for warehouse and was a great friend and colleague to them and others. workers and has been implemented in major global distribution centers. He worked with Don Eisenstein (M.S. “Robin Thomas was an inspiring colleague both for his OR 1983, Ph.D. OR 1992; now a professor at the University mathematical work and his integrity,” added Santosh of Chicago’s Booth School of Business) on this research. Vempala, adjunct professor in ISyE and Frederick G. As co-executive director of Georgia Tech Panama, Storey Chair and professor in the College of Computing. Bartholdi applied his expertise toward Panama’s logisti- “He approached research and administrative duties cal challenges, with the goal of making the country in the same spirit — precise, careful, complete, and the trade hub of the Americas. In 2015, the Ministry always with the highest standards. As a graph theorist, of the Presidency designated Georgia Tech Panama he was one of the all-time greats. As a person, he was as the technical arm of the Logistics Cabinet. straightforward, honest, reliable, and fearless. I feel very fortunate to have known him, interacted with Regents Professor Emeritus Don Ratliff, with whom him, and learned from him for the past 25 years.” Bartholdi co-directed Georgia Tech Panama, was also Bartholdi’s advisor at the University of Florida. “He was amazing on a daily basis,” added Dey. “Even “John was the world’s leading expert on warehousing when he was unwell, he was on top of everything. He science,” Ratliff said. “I encountered an executive in was truly a ‘superman’ and will be greatly missed.” Peru who had never met John but told me that John was considered the father of warehousing science.” Thomas is survived by his wife, ISyE Professor Sigrun Andradottir, and their children Misha, Klara, and Martin. Bartholdi earned his bachelor’s degree in mathemat- ics from the University of Florida in 1968 and then completed two tours of duty in southeast Asia as a paratrooper in a Naval Special Warfare unit. He returned to the University of Florida to pursue a doctoral degree in operations research, which he completed in 1977.
Bartholdi was devoted to his family and is survived by his wife, Marian. His son, Gabriel, predeceased him.
52 The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering isye.gatech.edu Connect with ISyE 755 Ferst Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30332-0205
Are you interested in collaborating with us? The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE) welcomes your engagement and offers many ways to get involved. ISyE works closely with business and industry leaders on a variety of research efforts and other projects, as well as student enrichment activities. You can also connect with ISyE through sponsorships and philanthropy that both bring the best education possible to our students and support our faculty as they tackle research issues that improve the quality of life for all.
Graduate Curriculum and Recruitment Undergraduate Curriculum and Recruitment Santanu Dey Chen Zhou Associate Chair for Graduate Studies Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies and A. Russell Chandler III Professor and Associate Professor 404.385.7483 404.894.2326 [email protected] [email protected]
Research Opportunities and Innovation and Entrepreneurship Industry Collaborations Pascal Van Hentenryck Alan Erera Associate Chair for Innovation and Associate Chair for Research and Entrepreneurship and A. Russell Chandler III UPS Professor of Logistics Chair and Professor 404.385.0358 404.385.5538 [email protected] [email protected]
Industry-Student Engagement/ Academic Engagement Capstone Projects Dawn Strickland Dima Nazzal Director of Student Services Director of Professional Practice 404.385.3983 404.894.3037 [email protected] [email protected]
Professional Education Philanthropy and Sponsorships Meka Wimberly Nancy Sandlin Supply Chain and Logistics Institute Director of Development Program Manager 404.385.7458 404.385.8663 [email protected] [email protected]
General Inquiries Partnership Opportunities Laurie Haigh isye.gatech.edu/about/partnerships Communications Manager ISyE Core Research Areas 404.385.3102 [email protected] isye.gatech.edu/research K-12 Outreach isye.gatech.edu/about/partnerships/ k-12-outreach Communications Department Georgia Institute of Technology 755 Ferst Drive NW Atlanta, GA 30332-0205
Since 2014, ISyE third-year Jathan Caldwell has been a self-taught photographer. It’s not surprising, then, that his photo, “la expression de coraje,” was selected for the Spring 2020 Clough Art Crawl (which was held virtually).
When asked about the inspiration for this photo, Caldwell explained, “There’s a spark of magic when you get to absorb the distinct beauty of a family and community. Meeting Roberto when passing through La Perla, Puerto Rico, rushed with that kind of feeling as this moment took place. One minute we were chatting about his family and ‘las vibras de PR,’ and in the blink of an eye, he bolted up a staircase, halted at the very edge of the building, and launched into an insane backflip. This picture embodies so much to me, but perhaps one of my favorite parts was the reverie in the expression of those watching. Maybe nothing inspires awe more than courage.”