Episodes

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Franz Edelman Award

Healthcare

Combatting disasters to save lives, save money and solve problem

From hurricanes and earthquakes, to conflict and disease, these disasters, both man-made and natural, can have a devastating impact causing millions, and even billions in damages, while greatly impacting the lives, health and well-being of the affected populations. But how can we prepare for or respond to events that often can’t be predicted, nor their true impact estimated, in order to save lives, save money, and solve the myriad problems that come as a result? The answer: operations research and analytics. Joining me for this episode is Pinar Keskinocak, the 2019 INFORMS President-elect, professor with the Georgia Institute of Technology,…

Tags: diaster preparedness, disaster response, hurricanes, Pinar Keskinocak

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Marijuana’s impact on alcohol and tobacco industries

In this episode, I am joined by Pengyuan Wang, assistant professor in the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, to discuss her new research published in the INFORMS journal Marketing Science, which looks at the impact of legalizing marijuana on the alcohol and tobacco industries, with some surprising results, as well as some interesting insight into which demographics are most interested. Spoiler alert, kids keep an eye on your parents!

Tags: alcohol, tobacco

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Celebrating our first year of podcasts!

Exactly one year ago this month, INFORMS launched its very first episode of Resoundingly Human. I invited one of my very first guests to join me for this episode, Jeff Cohen, INFORMS Director of Marketing and Public Affairs, to take a look back over the last year. Jeff, however, had some ideas of his own and turned the tables on me, and the interviewer became the interviewee!

Tags: anniversary podcast

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Predicting seizures, protecting patients

Some of the most impactful applications of O.R. and analytics are those in the medical field, improving patient outcomes and saving lives. Joining me for this episode are Cynthia Rudin, professor of computer science, electrical and computer engineering and statistical science at Duke University’s Prediction Analysis Lab and Dr. Aaron Struck, a neurologist with the Department of Neurology at the University of Wisconsin. They were members of a multi-university research team whose work on predicting damaging seizures in brain injury patients was recognized with the 2019 Innovative Applications in Analytics Award, presented earlier this year at the INFORMS Business Analytics Conference.

Tags: brain injury, Cynthia Rudin, Dr. Aaron Struck, Duke University, machine learning, seizures, University of Wisconsin

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Algorithms, evil or just misunderstood?

While algorithms play an increasingly integral role in our day-to-day lives, there still seems to be a great deal of misunderstanding and even mistrust regarding what algorithms are and what they do. To help dispel some of the mystery, joining me is Gah-Yi Ban, assistant professor of management science and operations at London Business School. Her research interests include big data analytics; in particular, algorithmic decision making involving complex, often highly uncertain data. Her recent TEDx Talk, “The power and perils of algorithms,” delves into the fundamental truths of algorithms to help everyone, even those who are not algorithmic experts,…

Tags: algorithms, analytics, Gah-Yi Ban, London Business School

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The Daily Impact of AI

Artificial Intelligence and Automation. For some, these garner images of a future filled with exciting advances that will impact important industries and services, such as transportation, healthcare, national security and more. For others, it raises concerns across a spectrum that can stretch from a fear of employment opportunities lost to machines to militant robots taking over the world. Joining me is Ramayya Krishnan, INFORMS 2019 President and the William W. and Ruth F. Cooper professor of management science and information systems and dean of the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University, to shed some light on…

Tags: artificial intelligence, automation, Carnegie Mellon University, Ramayya Krishnan

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The Science of Persuasion

While often referred to as the “art of persuasion,” my guest for this episode shares that there is actually a science behind persuasion and will provide insight into how and why it works. Joining me is Dean Hartley, principal of Hartley Consulting, to discuss his article in the June 2019 issue of OR/MS Today magazine, “Persuasion Wars, Part 1,“ which looks at how and why persuasion works, and its uses and misuses throughout history.

Tags: Dean Hartley, persuasion

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Ethics in Data

At the heart of both operations research and analytics, the key to all of the incredible research and applications, is data. Every day, O.R. and analytics professionals use data from sources around the world to provide valuable insight that is used to save lives, save money and solve problems. However, with a steady news stream of data breaches or misuse of often personal information from trusted sources many of us use everyday, such as Facebook, Target, and even healthcare providers, these incidents are becoming part of a much larger conversation regarding data security and the ethical use of data. Joining me…

Tags: data ethics, ethics, policy, Scott Nestler, University of Notre Dame

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The 2019 Government & Analytics Summit

In 2018, INFORMS launched a new advocacy initiative to raise awareness with decision makers in Washington on the application and impact of O.R. and analytics. This initiative includes an annual Government & Analytics Summit that invites policymakers from Capitol Hill, federal agencies and other policy stakeholders to learn about exciting and impactful ways in which these scientific and mathematical processes are being used to save lives, save money and solve problems in the public and private sectors. Joining me for this episode to discuss this year’s Summit is Laura Albert, Assistant Dean for Graduate Affairs in the College of Engineering…

Tags: advocacy, government, Summit

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