About
Sameer Kumar is a Professor and holds the CenturyLink Endowed Chair in Global Communications and Technology Management at the University of St. Thomas' Opus College of Business, where he has served since 2002. He also held a professorship in Engineering and Technology Management at the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering from 1997-2002, and previously was an Associate Professor at University of Wisconsin-Stout.
His educational background includes:
- PhD in Industrial Engineering from University of Minnesota
- MS in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from University of Minnesota
- MS in Computer Science from University of Nebraska
- MS in Mathematics from University of Delhi
- BS in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry from University of Delhi
Professor Kumar's research focuses on five primary areas: health care systems, humanitarian operations, sustainability and environment, supply chain modeling, and new product development. His work bridges theoretical operations research with practical applications in healthcare delivery, disaster response, and sustainable business practices. He has developed innovative models for vaccine distribution during pandemics, humanitarian logistics for disaster relief, and green supply chain management systems that balance economic and environmental objectives.
His extensive publication record shows a clear trend toward increasingly complex modeling of interconnected systems, with recent work focusing on pandemic response, supply chain disruptions, and sustainability integration. His research spans multiple disciplines including operations management, healthcare systems, humanitarian logistics, and sustainable supply chains, with publications in top journals across these fields.
Professor Kumar has received significant recognition for his scholarly contributions:
- Ranked among the top 2% of most-cited scientists in Business and Management globally (Stanford University, 2020)
- Recipient of the John Ireland Presidential Professor award for outstanding teaching and scholarship (2013)
- Awarded the Goodeve Medal for best paper in Journal of Operational Research Society (2009)
- Honored with Medtronic's Star of Excellence Quality award for assembly line design (2000)
As an educator and researcher, Professor Kumar has secured research funding from the National Science Foundation, the state of Wisconsin, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. He serves on multiple editorial boards including as associate editor for Journal of Manufacturing Systems and Decision Sciences Journal. His teaching focuses on supply chain management principles, with his current course OPMT 350 developing students' understanding of supply chain management both within and beyond organizational boundaries. Beyond his formal academic role, he maintains active professional memberships in numerous organizations including INFORMS, POMS, and DSI.
Professor Kumar leads research initiatives that connect academic theory with real-world business challenges, particularly in healthcare operations and sustainable supply chain management. His work often involves interdisciplinary collaboration with healthcare professionals, government agencies, and industry partners to develop practical solutions to complex operational problems.
