Kevin M. Taaffe

Dr. Kevin M. Taaffe serves as the Harriet and Jerry Dempsey Professor and Department Chair of Industrial Engineering at Clemson University's College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE). With expertise spanning healthcare logistics, transportation and inventory management, Dr. Taaffe leads research initiatives that integrate optimization and simulation modeling to solve complex systems problems across healthcare, manufacturing, and emergency response domains.

Dr. Taaffe's educational background includes:

• BS in Industrial Engineering (with honors) from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1988)
• MS in Industrial Engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (1990)
• PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering from University of Florida (2004)

Dr. Taaffe's research program focuses on complex decision-making systems where uncertainty plays a critical role. His work spans four primary domains: healthcare logistics (particularly perioperative services), inventory management, evacuation planning, and transportation and logistics. He approaches these areas through the lens of operations research, developing models that account for system interdependencies and human factors. His research is characterized by strong industry partnerships and practical applications that address real-world challenges in hospital operations, supply chain management, and emergency response planning.

Dr. Taaffe's recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on healthcare systems engineering, particularly in operating room optimization, surgical scheduling, and physician workflow analysis. His work consistently applies operations research methodologies to improve efficiency and safety in healthcare delivery. The research shows progression from theoretical modeling toward implementation-focused studies that incorporate mobile technology, data analytics, and behavioral considerations to create sustainable improvements in complex healthcare systems.

Among Dr. Taaffe's notable recognitions:

• Harriet and Jerry Dempsey Professor (endowed chair position)
• Fellow of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)

Dr. Taaffe has been deeply involved in student mentorship throughout his career. He served as the IISE faculty advisor for 12 years and has led Creative Inquiry student research groups since 2005. His research has been supported by multiple funding sources including the National Science Foundation (NSF), South Carolina state agencies, and industry partners such as Greenville Hospital System and Medical University of South Carolina. He maintains strong industry connections through Clemson's Industrial Engineering Department membership in the Center for Excellence in Logistics and Distribution (CELDi), an NSF-sponsored Industry/University Cooperative Research Center.

Dr. Taaffe leads research teams focused on healthcare logistics, inventory management, evacuation planning, and transportation systems. His lab work involves developing simulation models, optimization algorithms, and mobile applications to improve decision-making in complex systems. Current projects include creating learning systems using mobile technology in perioperative services, which integrates artificial intelligence, data analytics, and staff training to enhance communication and coordination across hospital departments.