Ronald C. Lasky is a Professor of Engineering at Dartmouth College's Thayer School of Engineering and a Senior Technologist at the Indium Corporation. His academic roles include teaching courses such as ENGM 187: Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship and ENGS 155: Intermediate Thermodynamics . Dr. Lasky holds a BS in Engineering Physics from Cornell University (1970), an MS in Applied Mathematics from Binghamton University (1974), and a PhD in Materials Science from Cornell University (1986). His research focuses on process optimization, electronic assembly, materials science, and environmental compliance. Notable contributions include work on lead-free solder assembly and Lean Six Sigma methodologies. He received the Member of Technical Distinction Award from the SMTA in 2021. Dr. Lasky actively engages with industry, exemplified by his collaboration with Galanz in China, exploring modern manufacturing practices and infrastructure. His insights on global supply chains and technological advancements highlight his dual academic and professional expertise.
Ben Branyan is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Connecticut's School of Public Policy and currently serves as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer for Greenwich Public Schools in Greenwich, CT. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Calvin College. With over 25 years of experience, he specializes in strategic operational leadership, budget management, and organizational transformation through innovative strategies. He has held senior roles including Town Administrator/COO for Greenwich, CT; Town Manager/CAO for Stratford, CT; and COO for Stratford Public Schools. Branyan is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, applying its principles to drive efficiency in public and non-profit sectors. He actively contributes to community service, serving as Vice-Chair of nOURish Bridgeport, Inc., member of Stratford Board of Education Finance Committee, and former Board Trustee of Sterling House Community Center. As an adjunct professor, he integrates real-world public administration and operations management expertise into teaching, emphasizing problem-solving skills for future leaders. His career highlights include managing multimillion-dollar budgets, overseeing agency operations, and leading organizational restructuring initiatives. He maintains dual professional roles in academia and public service, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical governance challenges.
About Vipul Jain: Associate Professor Vipul Jain leads Supply Chain and Logistics Management at RMIT University’s School of Accounting, Information and Supply Chain Management. With over 20 years of academic experience, he has held senior roles at institutions like Victoria University of Wellington (NZ) and IIT Delhi (India), contributing to curriculum development, research strategy, and academic-industry collaboration. His international collaborations span over 20 global institutions, emphasizing interdisciplinary research in supply chain resilience, sustainability, and Industry 4.0. Education & Academic Leadership: Previously served as Programme Director for Master of Technology (Industrial Engineering) at IIT Delhi, leading the establishment of the Modelling and Analysis of Supply Chain (MASC) Lab. Holds editorial roles for journals like International Journal of Intelligent Enterprise and Computers & Industrial Engineering . Research Focus: Specializes in supply chain design, sustainability, circular economy, and business analytics. His work integrates ICT and big data to address complex supply chain challenges, with notable contributions to vaccine distribution, blockchain adoption, and post-pandemic resilience. Over 145 peer-reviewed publications, including high-impact journals like OMEGA and International Journal of Production Economics , reflect his prolific output. Industry Impact: Conducted management training for organizations like JCB and IBM. Served as an expert assessor for New Zealand’s Ministry of Business and Industry and advised the Indian Railways. His research has been funded by the Department of Science and Technology (India) and EU initiatives like FP6 I*PROMS. Awards & Recognition: Ranked #7 in India’s top logistics academics (2018), recipient of Literati Awards (2024, 2020), and multiple editorial leadership roles. Active in global conferences, including co-chairing ANZAM 2023. Labs & Collaborations: Founded MASC Lab at IIT Delhi. Collaborates with Coventry University, Monash University, Hong Kong Polytechnic, and institutions in Switzerland, Spain, Canada, and the U.S. Focus areas include sustainable supply chains, digital transformation, and crisis resilience.
Craig Downing is an Associate Dean of Lifelong Learning, Head of the Department of Engineering Management, and Professor at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. His expertise spans industrial-academic partnerships, quality management systems, and operations management. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with industry experience as a process engineer and consultant for organizations such as Lockheed Martin/NASA and Parker Hannifin. Academic Degrees: BS in Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Southeast Missouri State University (2005) PhD in Workforce Education and Development, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1999) MS in Manufacturing Systems, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1994) BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1992) Dr. Downing’s research focuses on quality and operations management, with recent work exploring Six Sigma methodologies in academia and the impact of Lean initiatives. His teaching interests include engineering leadership, supply chain management, and manufacturing systems. Awards: Rose-Hulman Honorary Alumni Award (2015) American Society of Engineering Management Meritorious Service Award (2015) Rose-Hulman Excellence in Service Award (2013) He has mentored NSF-funded workshops to foster institutional change in education. His industry experience includes roles at Spinnaker Electrical Tape Co. (1995–1999) and consulting for major corporations.
Yuri Levin is a Professor at the Smith School of Business, Queen’s University, where he holds the Stephen J.R. Smith Chair of Analytics and serves as Founding Executive Director of the Smith School of Business Analytics and AI. He also leads the Scotiabank Centre for Customer Analytics. His research focuses on Analytics & AI, with expertise in revenue management, dynamic pricing, and strategic consumer behavior. Levin holds a Ph.D. in Operations Research from Rutgers University and degrees in Economics and Applied Mathematics from Belarus State University. Levin’s academic contributions include co-winning the 2013 INFORMS Revenue Management and Pricing Practice Prize and the 2009 INFORMS COIN-OR Cup. He has advised companies like Scotiabank, Loblaws, and McDonald’s on pricing strategies and consumer analytics. As an Associate Editor of Operations Research , he shapes academic discourse in operations research and pricing strategies. Education: Ph.D. in Operations Research, RUTCOR, Rutgers University (2001) B.S. in Economics, Belarus State University (1998) M.S. (Honours) in Applied Mathematics, Belarus State University (1998) His research explores dynamic pricing models under social influence, strategic consumer behavior, and revenue management in hospitality and retail industries. He has pioneered methodologies for optimizing pricing strategies in networked markets and developed algorithms for cargo capacity management. Awards: 2010 Queen’s School of Business Award for Research Achievement 2003 New Researcher Achievement Award Levin’s teaching spans MBA, Master of Management Analytics (MMA), and executive education programs, covering analytical decision-making and pricing optimization. His advisory work includes roles as a Visiting Professor at the Skolkovo Moscow School of Management and the University of Cambridge’s Judge School of Business.
Dr. Maher Maalouf serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Khalifa University, where he has been a faculty member since 2011. He holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and teaches core courses including Six Sigma Methodology and Applications (ISYE 445), Business Analytics (ESMA 610), and Advanced Business Analytics (ESMA 711). His academic credentials include: PhD in Industrial Engineering, University of Oklahoma (USA) MSc in Industrial Engineering, University of Oklahoma (USA) BBA in Management Information Systems, University of Oklahoma (USA) Dr. Maalouf's research integrates advanced analytical methodologies with industrial applications, focusing on classification and regression algorithms in machine learning, statistical process optimization through Lean Six Sigma frameworks, and operational excellence implementations. His work bridges theoretical data science with practical business process improvement across manufacturing and service sectors. He maintains active research supervision through the Socio-Technical Systems Lab, currently mentoring PhD students Toheeb Olajide Salahudeen and Kehinde Ganiyu Ismaila alongside Research Associate Assia Chadly. No scientific awards were documented in the source material.
Jiju Antony is a Professor at Northumbria University , specializing in quality management, Lean Six Sigma, and operational excellence. His research bridges industrial engineering, sustainability, and service sector optimization through rigorous academic inquiry and cross-industry collaboration. University: Northumbria University Email: jiju.antony@northumbria.ac.uk His research interests include: Quality Management Systems Lean Six Sigma Implementation Continuous Improvement Methodologies Sustainable Operations Industry 4.0 Integration Digital Transformation in Business Processes Recent publications focus on leveraging Lean Six Sigma for UNSDG compliance , Quality 4.0 in digital industries, and ESG performance enhancement through Kaizen practices. His work spans manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare sectors, emphasizing pandemic operational resilience.
Daniele Loiacono is an Associate Professor at Politecnico di Milano's Department of Electronics, Information, and Bioengineering (DEIB), affiliated with the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Lab (AIRLab). His research focuses on interdisciplinary applications of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning in medical imaging, radiation therapy, and procedural content generation for games. He leads projects in synthetic image generation for radiotherapy quality assurance, automated treatment planning, and bias analysis in medical AI systems. Key research areas include medical image synthesis using GANs, radiation therapy optimization, and algorithmic game design. His contributions span clinical applications such as total marrow irradiation (TMI) planning and lymph-node segmentation, alongside innovations in shader generation and interactive evolutionary tools for game development. Loiacono collaborates on multi-center studies to validate AI-driven workflows in healthcare and has pioneered methods combining lean Six Sigma with machine learning for treatment process improvement. His work bridges clinical medicine and computer science, addressing challenges in radiation oncology, anatomical imaging, and procedural content automation. The AIRLab serves as a hub for his research, integrating AI advancements into real-world medical and engineering solutions.
Tho Le is a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering Technology at Purdue University’s School of Engineering Technology. He leads the Smart Logistics (SmartLogs) Systems Research Lab and is affiliated with the Institute for Control, Optimization, and Network (ICON), Realizing the Digital Enterprise (RDE) initiative, Integrative Data Science Initiative (IDSI), and Semiconductors @ Purdue. His research focuses on system-scale transportation modeling using optimization, AI/ML, and econometrics to guide industry and policy decisions. Education: Ph.D. in Transportation Systems, Purdue University MSc in Industrial Engineering (Operations Research), Purdue University M.Eng. in Transportation Engineering (Best Thesis Award), Hiroshima University Research Interests: Emerging technologies: sidewalk delivery robots, indoor service robots, drones Semiconductor supply chain resilience and Lean Six Sigma applications Digital twins for logistics systems and fleet management Freight transport, connected/autonomous vehicles, travel behavior modeling Awards & Recognition: Recipient of National Science Foundation grant for energy efficiency modeling (2024) Polytechnic Research Awards (July 2024) Lab & Collaboration: SmartLogs Lab: develops data-driven solutions for urban logistics and asset management Leadership in Purdue’s semiconductor initiatives aligned with the CHIPS Act
Min Kyung Lee serves as an Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management at Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business, bringing industry experience from her prior role as a logistic coordinator in the automotive sector before pursuing her doctorate. Her academic credentials include: PhD in Business Administration (2018), Clemson University MS in Marketing (2010), Clemson University BA in Economics (2008), Kangwon National University, South Korea Dr. Lee's research centers on Service Operations Management and Supply Chain Innovation, with particular focus on healthcare logistics, epidemic response systems, and technology-enabled service delivery. Her work bridges theoretical operations frameworks with practical industry applications, especially in crisis-driven supply chain scenarios and service value optimization. Analysis of her publications reveals consistent exploration of data-driven decision-making in volatile environments, including pandemic supply chains, medical crowdfunding dynamics, and cross-cultural procurement platforms. Her research demonstrates increasing emphasis on healthcare operations while maintaining strong connections to broader service innovation principles. She actively contributes to the academic community through membership in the Production and Operations Management Society and Decision Sciences Institute.
Lori Sisk is an Associate Professor of Teaching in Global Supply Chain Management at the Mike Ilitch School of Business, Wayne State University. She brings over 28 years of industry and consulting experience in supply management to her academic role, where she teaches strategic procurement, operations, and supply chain courses. She also serves as Program Coordinator for the WSU/AIAG Supply Chain Certificate Program, Advisor to student organizations, and member of multiple academic and industry committees. Education: MBA, Bowling Green State University BSBA, Bowling Green State University (Major: Procurement) CPSM, Institute of Supply Management Six Sigma Green Belt Certified, Delphi Corporation Lori's teaching and research focus on applied, experiential learning in supply chain and procurement. Her courses emphasize solving real-world business problems, and she integrates industry challenges into classroom learning. Her research interests include applied decision-making tools for supply chain executives, strategic sourcing, risk management, and lean operations. She is passionate about preparing students for careers in supply chain through hands-on education and mentorship. Her publications reflect a practitioner-oriented approach, covering topics such as crisis recovery, strategic sourcing, and total cost of ownership. The articles show a consistent focus on operational resilience, cost optimization, and strategic procurement across manufacturing and global supply chains. Scientific Awards: Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award, Wayne State University (2019) Service Award, Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business (2020) Teacher of the Year Award, Denver Transportation Club (2018) Leadership District Person of the Year, ISM Public Relations District Person of the Year, ISM Troy Volunteer of the Year Award (nominated, 2020) Lori is deeply involved in academic and industry service. She advises student organizations including the Global Supply Chain Management Association (GSCMA) and Warrior Consulting Group (WCG). She co-leads the Supply Chain Advisory Council and is a member of the AIAG SC Steering Committee. She has delivered over 200 training sessions for professionals at global automotive OEMs and aerospace firms and has presented at international conferences including ISM, APICS, and PMAC. She has also developed and delivered curriculum for the AIAG/WSU Automotive Supply Chain Certificate Program since 2013. Lori leads initiatives that bridge academia and industry, particularly through the WSU/AIAG partnership. She has designed and facilitated workshops for suppliers and corporate teams on JIT, cost reduction, and risk management. Her work enhances workforce development and strengthens industry-academic collaboration in supply chain education.
Assoc. Prof. Paul Leonard is an Associate Professor in Biotherapeutics at Dublin City University (DCU), leading the Biomedical Innovation Group (BIG) within the School of Biotechnology. His research focuses on biomolecular interaction analysis, single-cell technologies, and biologics discovery, addressing challenges in oncology, cardiovascular disease, and infectious disease diagnostics. He has 20+ years of academic and industry experience, co-founding Remedy Biologics Ltd and securing over €15M in funding. His entrepreneurial roles include CSO/CTO, Lean Six Sigma process improvements, and advisory work for life sciences companies. Research interests span high-throughput antibody discovery, immunoassay development, and environmental sensing. He collaborates with academia and industry, including projects like AquaBioSens for aquatic pollutant detection. His lab employs multidisciplinary teams and holds patents in biotechnology. Paul also serves as an external examiner for Technical University Dublin’s Biomedical Diagnostics program. Key achievements include technology spin-outs, patent filings, and leadership in EU-funded projects. His work bridges academic innovation with commercial applications, emphasizing rapid diagnostic tools and therapeutic advancements.
Travis J. Fuerst is an Assistant Professor of Practice at the School of Engineering Technology within the Purdue Polytechnic Institute at Purdue University, West Lafayette. He has held this position since 2022, previously serving in the Department of Computer Graphics Technology from 2016 to 2022. Before returning to academia, he accumulated over 13 years of industry experience at The Boeing Company as an Engineering Workplace Coach, IT Project Manager, and Continuous Improvement Leader, complemented by 21 years of military service in the U.S. Army Reserves where he retired as a Major from USTRANSCOM in 2017. His academic credentials include: Master of Science in Technology (Product Lifecycle Management) from Purdue University (2002) Bachelor of Science in Computer Graphics Technology from Purdue University (2000) with a minor in Organizational Leadership and Supervision Professor Fuerst specializes in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), Project Management, Continuous Improvement, and Configuration Management, integrating Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies into both industrial applications and educational frameworks. His instruction emphasizes practical skill development for industry readiness, leveraging extensive real-world experience to bridge theoretical concepts with professional practice in engineering technology fields. His publication portfolio demonstrates a clear trajectory toward integrating Product Data Management systems into engineering education, with emphasis on digital enterprise solutions and pedagogical innovation. Key themes include parametric solid modeling applications, collaborative project-based learning frameworks, and curriculum development for PLM implementation across undergraduate programs, reflecting his dual focus on technological advancement and educational transformation. His recognition includes: Purdue Polytechnic 2013 Early Career Award Professor Fuerst actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students through project-based design learning that cultivates higher-order thinking skills, directly applying his industry expertise in risk analysis, resource allocation, and cross-functional team leadership. His curriculum development work demonstrates sustained commitment to advancing engineering education practices through practical, industry-aligned methodologies. His leadership experience spans Boeing's continuous improvement initiatives and U.S. Army cyber operations, providing a robust foundation for developing team-based project management approaches that emphasize operational efficiency and strategic problem-solving in academic settings.
Amany Farag is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing and Co-Director of the VA Quality Scholars Program (Iowa City site). Her work bridges nursing science, human factors engineering, and data science to address critical patient safety challenges, with a specific focus on medication administration practices across healthcare settings. Education: Postdoctoral Scholar, Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing PhD, Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing MSN, University of Alexandria, Alexandria Egypt BSN, University of Alexandria, Alexandria Egypt Dr. Farag's research centers on reactive and proactive approaches to patient safety , with dual emphasis on medication error reporting systems and nurse fatigue prevention. Her work integrates human factors engineering and machine learning to develop novel interventions. Key themes include understanding how social and system factors influence nurses' error reporting behaviors, examining fatigue as a precursor to errors, and developing self-management strategies for nurse wellness. Recent projects explore intershift recovery, sleep hygiene using consumer technology, and the impact of shift work on cognitive performance. Publication trends reveal a strong focus on interdisciplinary safety science , with consistent output in nursing, human factors, and healthcare quality journals. Her work increasingly incorporates AI methodologies while maintaining clinical relevance to frontline nursing practice. Scientific Recognition: Mary Hanna Memorial Journalism Award (Journal of Peri-Anesthesia Nursing, 2016) Author of the Year (Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2018) Junior Investigator Award (Midwest Nursing Research Society, 2018) Rogers Endowed Lectureship Award (Mississippi Medical Center, 2018) Dr. Farag secures significant funding from national agencies including the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), NIOSH-funded Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest, CDC-funded Injury Prevention Research Center, and University of Iowa Institute for Clinical and Translational Science. Her collaborative approach spans nursing, data science, ergonomics, and public health teams. As Co-Director of the VA Quality Scholars Program, she mentors future healthcare quality leaders while advancing her research on medication safety systems and nurse fatigue mitigation strategies through interdisciplinary partnerships.
Reda Mastouri is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Data Sciences within the College of Computer and Information Sciences at Saint Peter’s University. He combines academic roles with 12 years of industry experience as a Lead Cyber Security Engineer and Product Consultant, collaborating with Fortune 200 and 500 companies. His teaching includes courses such as DS-520 Data Analysis, DS-530 Big Data, and CS-332 Advanced Computing. Ph.D., AI & Data Sciences, Saint Peter’s University M.Eng., Telecommunication and Network Engineering, ENSA-M Cadi Ayyad University M.S., Data Sciences, Saint Peter’s University B.S., Computer Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology B.A., Applied Mathematics, Rutgers University His scholarly work focuses on AI-driven algorithms for truth demystification and cluster computing applications in high-fidelity image/video forgery detection within cybersecurity. Additional expertise spans DevSecOps, enterprise architecture, and software economics, with a dedication to innovation in business strategy and technology integration. Dr. Mastouri’s research trends emphasize heterogeneous ad hoc networks, collaborative honeypot architectures, and blockchain-based security models for IoT. His work addresses distributed attack detection, false positive/negative reduction, and protocol optimization, aligning with his specialization in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Certified Splunk Super User Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate (PCCSA) CyberArk Certified Trustee Certified Scrum Professional SFPC Certified 10-Hr OSHA Training for the Construction Industry Certified Project Management Essentials Certified (PMEC)™ Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (ICYB) CPR & AED Certified AWS Certified Developer Associate Scrum Foundation Professional Certificate NSE 1 Network Security Associate NSE2 Fortinet's Network Security Expert
