In a landmark announcement that underscores the transformative impact of operations research and analytics across diverse global sectors, INFORMS, the preeminent international association for professionals and scholars in operations research (O.R.), artificial intelligence (AI), analytics, and data science, has revealed its distinguished class of 2025 Fellows. This prestigious recognition celebrates 12 leaders whose groundbreaking work continuously drives innovation, enhanced operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making in both academia and industry.
The 2025 INFORMS Fellows embody a convergence of advanced theory and applied solutions in operations research, demonstrating profound influence over complex systems spanning artificial intelligence, supply chain management, sustainability, healthcare optimization, and transportation networks. Their pioneering contributions redefine the boundaries of data-driven decision sciences, facilitating resilient infrastructures and smarter societal outcomes globally.
Among the honorees is Laura Albert, a professor specializing in Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, whose dedication to leveraging operations research techniques for social good exemplifies the application of quantitative models in public policy and community welfare. Albert’s outreach initiatives further extend the accessibility of analytic methodologies to broader audiences, reinforcing the societal relevance of operations research beyond academic confines.
Chun-Hung Chen of George Mason University has earned distinction for his seminal work in simulation optimization and stochastic sampling methods. His research provides indispensable tools that enhance decision-making under uncertainty, facilitating improved operational protocols in complex domains such as manufacturing systems, healthcare logistics, and air traffic management. Chen’s sustained service invigorates the integration of stochastic methodologies within practical O.R. environments.
John W. Chinneck, Distinguished Research Professor at Carleton University, is celebrated for developing sophisticated algorithmic frameworks to identify and resolve infeasibilities in optimization models. His innovations equip analysts with robust computational diagnostics that safeguard against flawed decision models, thereby enhancing the reliability of optimization applications across varied engineering and management landscapes.
A towering figure in combinatorial optimization, Gérard P. Cornuéjols from Carnegie Mellon University has profoundly advanced integer programming theory. His fundamental research yields critical algorithms that empower practitioners to tackle large-scale optimization challenges inherent in logistics, network design, and resource allocation, thereby bridging rigorous mathematical foundations with real-world operational constraints.
Pooja Dewan’s leadership as Chief Data Officer at Rentokil-Terminix distinguishes her for pioneering the deployment of AI and machine learning applications within railway and manufacturing sectors. Dewan’s strategic integration of advanced analytics optimizes asset management and predictive maintenance strategies, underscoring the pivotal role of O.R. in elevating industrial productivity and operational safety.
Georgia Tech’s Yu Ding has been recognized for his impactful contributions to data science and quality engineering, particularly in renewable energy and manufacturing contexts. His interdisciplinary approaches meld data-driven insights with process optimization, fostering innovations that drive improvements in wind energy systems and sustainable production methodologies.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Vivek F. Farias has made notable contributions to dynamic optimization algorithms, delivering tools with enduring applicability across supply chain operations, revenue management, and real-time decision systems. Farias’s work enables adaptive frameworks responsive to evolving data, thus enhancing the agility and efficiency of operational strategies in volatile environments.
In the aviation arena, Stefan E. Karisch of Amazon advances the field through optimization-based flight planning and scheduling innovations. His efforts improve operational throughput and fuel efficiency while leading analytics teams dedicated to elevating the technological sophistication of aviation systems, thereby demonstrating the critical intersection of O.R. and advanced analytics in high-stakes industry applications.
Erica Klampfl, Executive Director at Ford Motor Company, has carved a significant niche through her research and leadership in industrial system analytics. Her work integrates machine learning and statistical methods to optimize manufacturing processes, support strategic supply chain decisions, and spearhead digital transformation initiatives that bolster product quality and corporate resilience.
At Washington University in St. Louis, Panos Kouvelis’s expertise spans global supply chains and integrated decision-making that harmonizes operational and financial perspectives. His research addresses complex challenges in supply chain resilience and risk management, applying advanced mathematical modeling to navigate the intricacies of globalization and market volatility.
The University of Maryland’s Subramanian (Raghu) Raghavan is lauded for his research applying O.R. methods to network design, auction mechanisms, and healthcare analytics. His academic rigor coupled with a passion for teaching and community service supports innovation and talent cultivation in operations research, ensuring continual growth and knowledge dissemination.
Daniele Vigo from the University of Bologna enriches the international O.R. community with fundamental solutions to routing, logistics, and packing challenges. His comprehensive management of research and applications fuels advances in transportation optimization and resource utilization, making critical contributions toward sustainable and efficient logistics systems worldwide.
Together, these 12 2025 Fellows of INFORMS exemplify the remarkable synergy of theoretical innovation, practical implementation, and professional dedication that continues to propel operations research, AI, and analytics into new frontiers. Their achievements reinforce INFORMS’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and promoting methodologies that generate measurable impact across industries and societal domains.
INFORMS, with its expansive network exceeding 12,000 members, remains at the forefront of the operations research and analytics landscape, disseminating cutting-edge knowledge through peer-reviewed publications, premier conferences, and top-tier certification programs. The induction of the 2025 Fellows reiterates the critical role this association plays in shaping a future driven by data-centric innovation, operational excellence, and informed decision-making on a global scale.
Subject of Research: Operations research, artificial intelligence, analytics, data science, and advanced optimization methodologies.
Article Title: INFORMS Honors 12 Visionary Leaders as the 2025 Class of Fellows in Operations Research and Analytics
News Publication Date: September 19, 2025
Web References: www.informs.org
Keywords: operations research, AI, analytics, data science, optimization, supply chain resilience, healthcare analytics, transportation systems, integer programming, simulation optimization
