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Franz Edelman Award

Healthcare

Budget busting and balancing for the U.S. government

A well-known phrase often credited to Benjamin Franklin in the early days of our country (though its origins are actually much earlier) states that “in this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” And this certainly remains true, as every spring just like clockwork, we faithfully fill out and submit our state and federal taxes, and bemoan any money owed, or celebrate any unexpected returns. But with a U.S. federal budget topping $2 trillion … wait how many zeros is that? … it would be nice to know a little more about exactly how the…

Tags: budget baseline, federal budgets, government, taxes

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Combatting hate crimes to build a safer future for all

At the heart of operations research, analytics, data science, and all the related fields, is the desire to improve the world around us, transforming data and information into insight and action, from simple business operations decisions to contributions that improve the quality of life, and even save lives, in communities across the globe. And within this podcast, we strive to acknowledge and highlight the incredible contributions of INFORMS members, and their passion for tackling the most significant and complex problems facing our world today. Joining me for this episode to discuss his work in combatting an unfortunately pervasive issue throughout…

Tags: analytics, bias, hate crime, prejudice, Tulsa

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Optimizing transportation scheduling for a win, win, win situation for all

When the first ride-share companies launched more than a decade ago, it completely transformed our options for traveling from place to place. Gone were the days of hailing a cab from the side of the street, now your ride home, to work, or anywhere you need to go is just the click of a mobile app away. But does that mean that more traditional methods of transportation, like buses, trains and cabs, have become a thing of the past? How are they successfully coexisting in the same space, with popular rideshares like Uber and Lyft, and is there even a…

Tags: Dartmouth College, Lyft, optimization, public transportation, rideshares, scheduling, Uber, Vikrant Vaze

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Netflix, Hulu, … or piracy? Oh my!

If you’re anything like me, in the past year video streaming services have taken on a far greater significance than prior to the pandemic. Consumers are devouring everything Netflix, Hulu, Discovery+, Disney+, and more have to offer to help cope with spending so much time at home. But what happens if access to these services is restricted, whether by cost or other reasons? Especially as more options become available, each with its own subscription fee? At what point does piracy become the better option? To help me explore this topic, I am pleased to introduce Shijie Lu with the University…

Tags: movies, Netflix, piracy, video streaming

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Providing decision-makers with the tools they need, featuring AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellows

Operations research, analytics, data science, and other related disciplines enable individuals and organizations to transform data into insights that facilitate better, more informed decision-making in order to save lives, save money, and solve problems. And in no place is informed decision-making more important than at the highest levels within the U.S. government, where every day policymakers are making decisions and shaping policy that will impact our day-to-day lives. But how can we ensure that the individuals making these important decisions have the tools or awareness they need? By connecting them with resources and people who are knowledgeable about O.R. and…

Tags: AAAS, advocacy, American Association for the Advancement of Science, decision-makers, federal government, policymakers, Science and Technology Policy Fellows, Washington

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Responding to COVID-19: What we (should have) learned from SARS

The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented global event that for more than a year now has completed transformed nearly every aspect of our day-to-day lives. For most of us, the pandemic is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced, with comparisons frequently made to the Spanish Influenza outbreak more than a century ago. But in certain parts of the world, the potential danger presented by the coronavirus was identified and responded too far earlier than in others. And it wasn’t only government officials and decision-makers sharing these realizations, but average people, like you and me. My guest for today’s episode is Hong…

Tags: coronavirus, COVID-19, Hong Ru, pandemic, SARS

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COVID-19 testing: Accuracy vs. availability, where is the balance?

From the moment the earliest cases of the coronavirus were detected in the U.S., the ability to test for and track infection rates and cases has been one of the most significant tools in combatting the virus, and played an essential role in developing guidelines and policies to reduce its spread. And today, testing paired with increasing access to vaccines, continues to play an important role in our gradual reopening and return to normal. To take a look back over the types of testing, their levels of accuracy, how they developed and their impact, I am pleased to welcome my…

Tags: accuracy, coronavirus, COVID-19, Kimon Drakopoulos, Ramandeep Randhawa, testing

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Testing and fortifying supply chains to withstand future challenges

The past year has posed many unprecedented and unique challenges, forcing people around the world to redefine and reimagine how we live, work, learn, teach, shop and more. It tested the resiliency of the global economy, the fundamentals of business, and countless other parts of modern life that we all took for granted. Many of these challenges brought to the forefront an often invisible resource that powers virtually every aspect of modern life – global supply chains. Now, the U.S. government, many businesses and industries, and numerous others, are undertaking extensive efforts to examine supply chains to ensure they can…

Tags: Biden administration, David Simchi-Levi, MIT, stress test, supply chains

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2021 Franz Edelman Competition: Memorial Sloan Kettering

For more than four decades, winners of the Edelman Award have been recognized for transforming how we approach some of the world’s most complex problems. This year’s finalists are no exception, with revolutionary contributions in robotics, cancer radiotherapy efficiency, unmanned warehouse technology, mining efficiency and the impact to chemical facilities, scheduling and production at manufacturing plants, and food assistance amid emergency responses. Since its inception, finalists for the Edelman Award have contributed to a cumulative impact of over $302 billion, supported lifesaving efforts across the globe, and transformed how the world does business. Joining me for this episode to discuss…

Tags: cancer, Franz Edelman Award, Memorial Sloan Kettering, radiotherapy, saving lives

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2021 Franz Edelman Competition: Alibaba

Tags: Alibaba, analytics, Franz Edelman Award, operations research

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