Engineering professor named INFORMS fellow for outstanding lifetime accomplishments

Published: Oct 21, 2021 2:45 PM

By Carla Nelson

Alice Smith, Joe W. Forehand/Accenture professor of industrial and systems engineering, was recently named one of 12 fellows of the Institute for Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS). INFORMS fellows are honored for their outstanding lifetime accomplishments and contributions in operations research and analytics. 

Smith has been an Auburn University faculty member since 1999 and has been involved with INFORMS since 1990. She is also editor-in-chief of the INFORMS Journal on Computing. She is being recognized for contributions to the use of bio-inspired optimization algorithms and for distinguished service to the profession and to education.

Smith said this year marking her 30th year as a professor makes this important honor especially meaningful to her. 

“I am really honored and thrilled to be chosen for this award as only 12 fellows are named each year, from a membership of over 12,500, and no one from Auburn University has ever been selected,” Smith said. “My passion is to lead impactful research, educate students at all levels, and serve the professional community in such roles as diversity, equity, and inclusion ambassador and editor in chief of INFORMS Journal on Computing.”   

INFORMS promotes best practices and advances in operations research, management science and analytics to improve operational processes, decision-making and outcomes through an array of highly-cited publications, conferences, competitions, networking communities and professional development services. There is an active INFORMS student chapter at Auburn University.

INFORMS is the largest association for the decision and data sciences, made up of professionals and students. INFORMS members support organizations and governments at all levels as they work to transform data into information, and information into insights that lead to more efficient, effective, equitable and impactful results.

Smith was inducted as a fellow during the 2021 INFORMS Annual Meeting, Oct. 24-27, which was held both virtually and on location in Anaheim, Calif.

Media Contact: Carla Nelson, cmn0023@auburn.edu, 334-844-1404

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