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

Telemedicine emerged as a vital component of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling healthcare providers to connect with patients remotely. Lead author Dr. Ishani Ganguli of the Division of General Internal Medicine and Primary Care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital has emphasized the potential benefits of telemedicine’s widespread adoption in curbing low-value testing practices. Specifically, she pointed to examples such as cervical cancer screening, prostate cancer screenings in older adults, and unnecessary imaging for uncomplicated low back pain. The essential objective behind this research was to determine telemedicine’s influence on care quality and spending as policymakers deliberate on the future of telemedicine coverage, especially within Medicare.

The researchers conducted a quasi-experimental study design analyzing fee-for-service Medicare claims data spanning from 2019 to 2022. By examining data from over two million beneficiaries who received care in health systems that either adopted telemedicine at high rates or did not significantly adopt it, the study took a comprehensive approach. This timeframe encapsulated the crucial period before and after telemedicine’s remarkable surge, spurred by the pandemic, which drastically changed how healthcare services were delivered across the United States.

A stark contrast emerged between the patients under high-telemedicine systems and those receiving care in low-telemedicine environments. While both groups exhibited slightly higher rates of total visits, encompassing both virtual and in-person interactions, patients in high-telemedicine systems demonstrated lower rates of utilization of seven out of twenty low-value tests. These tests included cervical cancer screening, preoperative complete blood cell counts, and routine imaging for low back pain. The findings signified that high telemedicine utilization may have deterred both patients and clinicians from engaging in tests that previously occupied an essential part of conventional in-office visits.

Moreover, patients enrolled in high-telemedicine systems displayed lower overall spending on visits per beneficiary, as contrasted with their counterparts in low-telemedicine systems. They also reported decreased spending on two specific low-value tests while showing no significant differences in aggregate low-value spending across the board. These critical insights underscore the belief that while telemedicine expands access to medical care, it simultaneously discourages unnecessary tests which, ironically, can lead to adverse outcomes for patients.

Dr. Ganguli stressed that these findings could bolster arguments favoring the continuation of telemedicine coverage. As policymakers evaluate whether to extend telemedicine options within Medicare programs, understanding the implications of telemedicine on care costs and patient outcomes becomes paramount. The evidence suggests that by enabling patients to consult their healthcare providers virtually, telemedicine can enhance patient experiences while simultaneously curtailing unnecessary medical expenses related to low-value care.

The implications of the study go beyond mere cost savings; they also resonate with an evident shift towards prioritizing patient-centered care. The study highlights an essential conversation regarding how healthcare delivery must evolve to suit the modern landscape. As more individuals of varying age groups become accustomed to digital health solutions, the integration of telemedicine could revolutionize the patient experience while promoting efficient healthcare delivery that prioritizes value over volume.

Nevertheless, it is important to recognize that while telemedicine proves beneficial in reducing certain low-value tests, it does not universally impact all forms of medical testing. No significant differences were observed in the utilization of other types of tests among the different care system types. Moreover, given the complexity of patient care, telemedicine should not serve as a blanket solution but rather as an adaptable, responsive component of a comprehensive healthcare strategy.

As the world forever shifts in response to the pandemic, the role of technology in healthcare continues to grow. The encouraging results from this research suggest that telemedicine has the potential to reshape traditional healthcare practice significantly, fostering a greater alignment between patient needs and available medical services. Ultimately, this study lays a foundational piece of evidence that can guide future healthcare policies promoting effective and value-oriented care models.

In conclusion, the findings presented by Dr. Ganguli and her colleagues provide critical insights into the intersection of telemedicine and low-value care. While much remains to be studied and understood about optimal telemedicine practices, these research outcomes mark a vital step towards influencing policy debates and future healthcare frameworks. As further data emerges and healthcare systems adapt, the collective vision of delivering better, more efficient healthcare can become a reality.

Subject of Research: Telemedicine adoption and its impact on low-value care utilization and spending among Medicare beneficiaries
Article Title: Telemedicine Adoption and Low-Value Care Use and Spending Among Fee-for-Service Medicare Beneficiaries
News Publication Date: 24-Feb-2025
Web References: JAMA Internal Medicine
References: Ganguli I et al. (2024). Telemedicine Adoption and Low-Value Care Use and Spending Among Fee-for-Service Medicare Beneficiaries. JAMA Internal Medicine.
Image Credits: Not available

Keywords: Telemedicine, low-value care, healthcare costs, Medicare, patient-centered care, medical testing, healthcare policy, pandemics, digital health solutions