Eric Paljug

Eric Paljug serves as Clinical Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Pittsburgh's Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, where he joined the faculty in 2015. He holds dual leadership roles as Associate Director of the Center for Supply Chain Management and member of the Business Analytics and Operations Faculty, while also serving on the Board of Directors for FOCUS North America and the Traffic Club of Pittsburgh.

His academic credentials include:

• PhD in Systems Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania
• MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh
• BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh

Professor Paljug's research integrates engineering precision with business strategy, focusing on Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, and Operations across aerospace, healthcare, and technology sectors. His interdisciplinary approach stems from early robotics work at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab where he co-developed teleoperation systems for robotic surgery, earning a patent in the process. Current investigations examine biomanufacturing in microgravity environments and post-pandemic educational delivery models.

His publication portfolio reveals a distinctive trajectory from engineering foundations to contemporary business applications. The 2023 study on student demand for remote learning options demonstrates his analysis of educational technology adoption, while the 2021 biomanufacturing research pioneers space-based regenerative medicine applications—showcasing his capacity to bridge technical innovation with commercial strategy.

With over 25 years of strategic consulting experience including McKinsey & Company and independent practice, he has guided Fortune 500 firms through organizational transformations, post-merger integrations, and market opportunity assessments. His current projects include characterizing commercial potential for low-earth-orbit biomanufacturing and developing sales-operations planning frameworks for aerospace manufacturers.

Professor Paljug teaches and mentors students in Business Analytics, Consulting, and Supply Chain Management courses, leveraging real-world case studies from his consulting engagements. His industry immersion ensures curriculum relevance while providing students with actionable frameworks for operational challenges.

He actively shapes academic discourse through the Center for Supply Chain Management and the Traffic Club of Pittsburgh, focusing on transportation logistics and sustainable supply chain innovation. These platforms facilitate industry-academia knowledge exchange, particularly in aerospace logistics and healthcare supply chain resilience.

Outside professional commitments, Professor Paljug pursues sailing, aviation, and music while prioritizing family time—reflecting his holistic approach to work-life integration.