Resoundingly Human
by INFORMS
Resoundingly Human, the podcast from INFORMS, is dedicated to bringing O.R. and analytics to life by highlighting the incredible contributions of the men and women who are using O.R. and analytics to save lives, save money, and solve problems.
Episodes
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The Hidden Decisions Behind the Supply Chain
Every time we place an online order, an enormous number of decisions happen behind the scenes – where an item should be stored, how an order should be fulfilled, which route it should take and how it ultimately reaches our doorstep. Increasingly, operations research, optimization and artificial...
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Good Decisions, Better Communities
When we hear the word "optimization," we tend to think about finding the best possible solution to a problem. But when those problems involve schools, communities, limited resources and competing priorities, defining what "best" actually means can become much more complicated. In this episode of...
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GPU, Set, Go!
Computers keep getting faster. But sometimes, taking full advantage of new computing power requires more than simply speeding up the way we've always done things. It requires rethinking the way we solve problems altogether. Welcome to Resoundingly Human: The INFORMS Podcast where we share how...
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Rethinking What Makes AI Intelligent
Artificial intelligence has become one of the defining technologies of our time. But what if the way we're thinking about AI – starting with the very idea of "intelligence" – is too narrow? Welcome to Resoundingly Human: The INFORMS Podcast about how operations research, analytics, data science,...
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Going Vertical: A Smarter Approach to Emergency Department Crowding
If you've ever visited a hospital emergency department, chances are you've experienced one of its most persistent challenges: waiting. For hospitals, reducing those wait times can seem like a capacity problem. More patients require more beds, more staff or more space, right? But what if one of…
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Becoming data-driven: The role of trust in successful analytics adoption
Organizations have more data, more dashboards, and more sophisticated analytics tools than ever before. And yet, many still struggle to make confident decisions quickly. Sometimes the problem isn't the data itself. It's what happens between the insight and the action: unclear ownership, competing...
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Saving Lives with Smarter Decisions: Operations Research in Animal Shelters
Joining me today is Katalia Chen, recipient of INFORMS Doing Good with Good OR Award, which recognizes outstanding work using operations research to create meaningful social impact. Katalia's research tackles a question that affects hundreds of thousands of animals every year: how can we help...
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100K downloads and counting!
Reaching 100,000 downloads isn't just a milestone – it's a reflection that the stories featured on Resoundingly Human matter. It means there are thousands of people who are curious about how analytics can solve meaningful problems and who want to hear directly from the people making that happen.…
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Redistricting: Designing the election battlefield
Few topics generate more debate than elections. But long before voters head to the polls, important decisions have already been made about how communities are grouped into districts and how representation is structured. While redistricting is often discussed as a political issue, it's also a...
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Smooth operations don't make headlines
Today, we're talking about a topic that sits at the heart of the INFORMS mission: public engagement. While many people think of analytics and operations research as tools used in businesses, universities, or research labs, these disciplines also play an important role in informing public policy,...
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From vision to reality with the 2026 INFORMS President
Earlier this year, we kicked off 2026 with INFORMS President Mark Lewis, talking about his vision for the year ahead. Now, just after the INFORMS Analytics+ Conference – his first major event as president – we're checking back in to reflect on what we've seen so far, what stood out, and what's...
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From data to devotion: The analytics of customer loyalty
In this episode, we're diving into something every one of us experiences - but may not always think about strategically: customer relationships. Why do we stay loyal to some brands and leave others after one frustrating interaction? How are analytics and AI helping companies predict churn,...
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Big cloud, bigger decisions: Microsoft's Edelman story
In the final epiosde of our special series highlighting the finalists of the 2026 Franz Edelman Award, members of the team from Microsoft share special insight on their project, which is transforming how global cloud infrastructure is supplied and delivered. As demand for cloud services continues...
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Watt's the Best Time to Compute? Google's Road to the Edelman Award
This latest episode in the mini-series highlighting the 2026 Franz Edelman Award finalist featues members of the team from Google, whose project is advancing a new approach to managing energy and computing resources across the company's global data center network. Data centers power the digital...
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When AI plans the plan: NVIDIA's Edelman story
Each year, organizations from around the world demonstrate how advanced analytics and operations research are solving real problems at massive scale – and are recognized and celebrated by the INFORMS community with the Franz Edelman Award competition. Joining me today are members of the team from...
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Feeding millions, powered by analytics: DFPD's Edelman Journey
Each year, organizations from around the world demonstrate how advanced analytics and operations research are solving real problems at massive scale – from retail and logistics to healthcare systems, public services, and the complex networks that keep our world moving. Joining me today are…
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From kibble to clicks: Chewy's path to the Edelman Award competition
Each year, organizations from around the world compete in the INFORMS Franz Edelman Award competition, demonstrating how advanced analytics and O.R. are solving real problems at massive scale. In this episode, members of the team from Chewy, the largest online pet retailer and pharmacy in the...
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These shoes were made for walking ... to the Edelman Award competition!
Each year, finalists in the Franz Edelman Award Competition demonstrate how advanced analytics and operations research are solving real problems at massive scale – from the products we buy and the packages we receive to the healthcare we rely on and the policies that shape our communities.…
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Summoning the Data Whisperer: From Analytics+ to (data) puppet domination
Our latest guest brings a voice – and I do mean a voice – that you don't often hear in the data world. He's bold, he's sharp, and he's not afraid to call out the fluff that can cloud today's analytics conversations. Scott Taylor, also known as The Data Whisperer, is a global advocate for…
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Quantum Leap: What's Next for Optimization?
Even though we are are still navigating the AI boom and its growing impact, it's still important to also keepo looking ahead to what's next. In this episode, we're diving into a topic that sparks imagination, confusion, and maybe even a little fear: quantum computing. Joining me in this episode…
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Chasing positive impact with the 2026 INFORMS President
The 2026 INFORMS President Mark Lewis brings not just technical brilliance to his role as president, but a deep care for the people who make this field so impactful. His vision reminds us that analytics isn't just about solving problems – it's about building communities, growing opportunity, and...
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From first meeting to Fellow: A professional lifetime with INFORMS
I'm so excited to be joined by someone whose name is deeply woven into the fabric of the INFORMS community – Dr. Jim Cochran, Professor of Applied Statistics and the Mike & Kathy Morone Research Chair at the University of Alabama's Culverhouse College of Business. Jim is a longtime INFORMS…
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Closing out the year with the 2025 INFORMS President
We close out another terrific year of Resoundingly Human podcasts with our 2025 INFORMS President Dave Hunt, for a look back over his time as president, milestones, and what activities he's looking forward to getting back to in 2026.
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Learning to optimize ... and how to bake the BEST cookies
In this episode, we're continuing our special relaunch series by welcoming one of this year's INFORMS Annual Meeting plenary speakers – a pioneer in the fusion of machine learning and optimization, and a leader in advancing AI for real-world engineering challenges. Pascal Van Hentenryck is a…
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Finding synergy in AI and OR/MS: Meaningful, measurable and responsible decision-making
In our latest episode in the Resoundingly Human podcast refresh, Ramayya Krishnan, Carnegie Mellon University, and plenary speaker at the 2025 INFORMS Annual Meeting, shares how today's rapid advances in AI technology create new opportunities for synergy with OR/MS, with broad implications for...
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From HIV to the Opioid Epidemic: O.R. at the Heart of Better Public Policy
Welcome back to Resoundingly Human, the INFORMS podcast! After a short break this summer, we are back with more great content and interviews featuring INFORMS members whose work is helping make Smarter Decisions for a Better World. In this episode, Margaret Brandeau, professor at Stanford...
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Tariffs, Trade, Turmoil and Rethinking Holiday Shopping
Retailers are gearing up for their annual "Christmas in July" sales, but this year, the early holiday cheer comes with a warning: escalating tariff whiplash may lead to higher prices, fewer options, and major delays for shoppers come December. Behind the scenes, businesses are scrambling to...
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Analytics+, volunteer opportunities, the power of collaboration, and other presidential updates
As we are well into the first half of the year – and here at INFORMS we have packed a lot into these first few months – now is a terrific time to circle back and check in with the 2025 INFORMS President Dave Hunt. We kicked off a brand-new year of Resoundingly Human podcasts back in January with…
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Reflecting on the 2025 Franz Edelman Competition with Flipkart
Welcome to the final episode in our special series of Resoundingly Human podcasts highlighting the finalist teams for the 2025 Franz Edelman Award, the Nobel Prize of Analytics. These finalist projects represent teams from around the world who have leveraged advanced analytics to transform their...
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Guiding students through life's tough decisions
Looking back, when you were younger, do you wish you had some guidance when it came to making the really important decisions for your future? What college should I attend? Should I buy the reliable hatchback or the fire engine red mustang? Is this job offer right for me and my future? My guest...
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2025 Franz Edelman Award finalist: Amazon
Welcome to the latest in our special series of Resoundingly Human podcasts highlighting the finalist teams for the 2025 Franz Edelman Award, the Nobel Prize of Analytics, which will be awarded at the upcoming 2025 INFORMS Analytics+ Conference in Indianapolis this April. These finalist projects...
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2025 Franz Edelman Award finalist: WM
Welcome to the latest in our special series of Resoundingly Human podcasts highlighting the finalist teams for the 2025 Franz Edelman Award, the Nobel Prize of Analytics, which will be awarded at the upcoming 2025 INFORMS Analytics+ Conference in Indianapolis this April. These finalist projects...
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2025 Franz Edelman Award finalist: USA Cycling
Welcome to the latest in our special series of Resoundingly Human podcasts highlighting the finalist teams for the 2025 Franz Edelman Award, the Nobel Prize of Analytics, which will be awarded at the upcoming 2025 INFORMS Analytics+ Conference in Indianapolis this April. These finalist projects...
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2025 Franz Edelman Award finalist: Lufthansa
Welcome to the latest in our special series of Resoundingly Human podcasts highlighting the finalist teams for the 2025 Franz Edelman Award, the Nobel Prize of Analytics, which will be awarded at the upcoming 2025 INFORMS Analytics+ Conference in Indianapolis this April. These finalist projects...
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2025 Franz Edelman Award finalist: SF Express
Welcome to the latest in our special series of Resoundingly Human podcasts highlighting the finalist teams for the 2025 Franz Edelman Award, the Nobel Prize of Analytics, which will be awarded at the upcoming 2025 INFORMS Analytics+ Conference in Indianapolis this April. These finalist projects...
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Behind the scenes with #2025Analytics Keynote Dick den Hertog
We're in the countdown to the 2025 INFORMS Analytics+ Conference, in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 6-8, when more than 700 leading analytics professionals and industry experts will come together to discover new solutions to business problems, connect and network, and celebrate excellence in the...
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A look at the coming year with the 2025 INFORMS President, Part 2
Welcome back to part two of a very special interview with our 2025 INFORMS President Dave Hunt. Earlier this month, we released part one of our conversation, during which we took a look at Dave's goals and objectives for INFORMS in the year ahead, as well as answered some informative but FUN...
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A look at the coming year with the 2025 INFORMS President, Part 1
Welcome to a brand-new year of Resoundingly Human podcasts! Whether this is your first episode, or you are a long-time listener, thank you for joining us and I hope you'll subscribe for even more great content highlighting the incredible contributions of INFORMS members. To kick off our first...
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A recap of 2024 with the INFORMS president
As we close out another year of Resoundingly Human podcasts, I am joined once again by the 2024 INFORMS president Julie Swann, to share a final look back over the past year at INFORMS and reflect on Julie's time as president.
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Unraveling the mysteries of 'The Bat Lands'
Today I have the pleasure of welcoming back to Resoundingly Human long-time INFORMS member Jim Cochran, professor with the University of Alabama's Culverhouse College of Business. In addition, I'm joined by Ryan McNeill, deputy editor for the Reuters global data journalism team. Jim and Ryan are...
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Improving Healthcare Outcomes with Simulation
Welcome to the latest episode of Resoundingly Human, the podcast brought to you by INFORMS, the leading association for professionals and students who apply science, math, technology and analytics to make smarter decisions for a better world. I'm your host, Ashley K. and thank you for joining me…
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Behind the scenes with the #INFORMS2024 Plenaries: AI Fireside Chat
We're continuing our countdown to the 2024 INFORMS Annual Meeting, in Seattle, Washington, October 20-23, when more than 6,000 INFORMS members, students, prospective employers and employees, and academic and industry experts will share the ways O.R. and analytics are fueling Smarter Decisions for…
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Behind the scenes with the #2024 Plenaries: Featuring Harriet Nembhard, Harvey Mudd College
We're continuing our countdown to the 2024 INFORMS Annual Meeting, in Seattle, Washington, October 20-23, when more than 6,000 INFORMS members, students, prospective employers and employees, and academic and industry experts will share the ways O.R. and analytics are fueling Smarter Decisions for…
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Behind the scenes with the #INFORMS2024 Plenaries: Featuring Koen Peters, World Food Programme
We're in the countdown to the 2024 INFORMS Annual Meeting, in Seattle, Washington, October 20-23, when more than 6,000 INFORMS members, students, prospective employers and employees, and academic and industry experts will share the ways O.R. and analytics are fueling Smarter Decisions for a…
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Behind the scenes with the #INFORMS2024 Plenaries: Featuring Ann Tracy, Colgate-Palmolive
We're in the countdown to the 2024 INFORMS Annual Meeting, in Seattle, Washington, October 20-23, when more than 6,000 INFORMS members, students, prospective employers and employees, and academic and industry experts will share the ways O.R. and analytics are fueling Smarter Decisions for a…
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Model thinking with Dr. Queue
In this episode, I'm joined by a longtime member of the INFORMS community, Richard Larson, post-tenure professor with MIT, past-president of both ORSA and INFORMS, recipient of the INFORMS Lanchester Prize, and author many times over, including his most recent book, Model Thinking for Everyday...
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O.R. & National Security: From Pearl Harbor to European football to slicing salami
This episode of the podcast was recorded live in Phoenix at the 2023 INFORMS Annual Meeting. Keynote speaker Dr. Les Servi shared special insight on his talk, 'Operations Research and National Security,' which provided an informative, and dare I say fun, first-hand look at the role of O.R. in...
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Checking in with the 2024 INFORMS President
I am thrilled to welcome back to Resoundingly Human the 2024 INFORMS President Julie Swann, who is also the A. Doug Allison Distinguished Professor and Department Head of the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at North Carolina State University, to share some behind...
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The Opioid Epidemic: Using OR/MS to combat the leading public health crisis
The opioid epidemic is a decades long public health crisis that is only continuing to grow in severity and impact. It is currently the foremost public health crisis in the United States, with its roots tracing back to mid to late 1990s when the highly concentrated prescription pain killer…
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Leveraging economics to evaluate how video length on TikTok impacts profits
Welcome to today's episode! We have an exciting discussion lined up as we dive into a fascinating study on TikTok, the wildly popular consumer-to-consumer media platform. My guests today explore how the length of videos impacts their performance on the platform. By modeling viewer behavior and...
About this show
Resoundingly Human, the podcast from INFORMS, is dedicated to bringing O.R. and analytics to life by highlighting the incredible contributions of the men and women who are using O.R. and analytics to save lives, save money, and solve problems.
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INFORMS
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