Eric D Smith

Eric D Smith serves as Associate Professor and dual Program Director (Undergraduate and Graduate) in the Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering (IMSE) Department at the University of Texas at El Paso. Based in the Engineering Building, he drives industry-academia integration to align curriculum with real-world practices and student career development. His administrative leadership spans program coordination and strategic industry partnerships within UTEP's engineering ecosystem.

Dr. Smith's research centers on Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering with specialized focus on Tradeoff Studies, Cognitive Biases in decision-making, and Psychological Ownership dynamics. He employs analytical frameworks to address complex challenges across supply chains, medical diagnostics, and organizational behavior. His interdisciplinary approach bridges engineering principles with neuroscience, oncology, and blockchain technology through rigorous mathematical modeling and systems theory applications.

Recent publications (2022-2024) reveal three dominant trends: (1) anti-fragile system design for unreliable infrastructure, (2) computational explanations for counterintuitive phenomena (e.g., depression biomarkers, algorithmic creativity), and (3) sustainability assessments of emerging technologies like bitcoin mining. His work consistently applies systems thinking to decode nonlinear relationships in medical, economic, and software domains while developing novel analytical techniques for data mining and hypothesis testing.

Scientific Awards

• Fellowship to Travel to Israel

Secured significant research funding including a $2.5 Million Grant for Green Energy Manufacturing at UTEP. As Program Director, he mentors students through industry-connected curricula while leading initiatives like the Community Interdisciplinary Research and Education (IDRE) program. His teaching innovations integrate additive manufacturing, lean principles, and project-based learning to enhance STEM engagement and technical workforce development.