Renata Konrad
Email
rkonrad@wpi.edu
Office
Washburn Shops 205
Personal Website
Education
Ph.D. Industrial Engineering, Purdue University
M.A.Sc. Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto
B.A.Sc. Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto

The application of Industrial Engineering and mathematical knowledge has always been a rewarding challenge for me. I draw on a variety of Industrial Engineering techniques including optimization and simulation. My research has included evaluating anti-human trafficking efforts, computationally characterizing episodes of care from health insurance claim records, and examining the impact of physician incentives on patient outcomes, as well as research related to mental health, patient flow and practice guidelines.  

In 2020-2021 I was a Fulbright Scholar at the Ukrainian Catholic University, where I worked on "Disrupting Human Trafficking in Ukraine Using Operations Research Methods.” In recent years I have been invited to serve on several governmental committees dealing with human trafficking, among them the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research, and advisory committees of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Department of Homeland Security. In the past I have been a member of the WPI Healthcare Delivery Institute (HDI).

One of my favorite things about WPI is its emphasis on theory and practice. In this spirit, I believe research complements teaching. I am proud of having received several awards for teaching at WPI, including the Romeo L. Moruzzi Young Faculty Award for Innovation in Undergraduate Education (2018), and the Board of Trustees Faculty Achievement Awards (2015, 2018). I particularly enjoy project advising, and I am proud that several projects I have advised have received WPI Provost MQP Awards (2014, 2018, 2019).  Through projects, I learn about different problems facing industry, and with the students explore possible solutions. I find that the process, though painful at times, promotes maturity, initiative, and creativity. 

Visit Digital WPI to view student projects and research advised by Professor Konrad.

See more information on courses taught by Professor Konrad. 

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 5: Gender Equality - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

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Gender Equality Goal

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

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Decent Work and Economic Growth Goal

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

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Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Goal
Research Interests
Design and application of healthcare resource allocation problems
IE Education
Decision support for anti-human trafficking efforts
Simulation
Applied optimization

Scholarly Work

My research focuses on the application of operations research to social justice issues and healthcare delivery to improve the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of operations. This research includes using optimization and simulation to develop decision-support systems regarding resource allocation.

Featured publications:

Konrad, R. A., Trapp, A. C., Palmbach, T. M., & Blom, J. S. (2017). Overcoming human trafficking via operations research and analytics: Opportunities for methods, models, and applications. European Journal of Operational Research, 259(2), 733-745.

Abouee‐Mehrizi, H., Ghareaghaji Zare, A., & Konrad, R. A. (2022). Pricing in Service Systems with Rational Balking and Abandonment of Time‐Sensitive Customers. Production and operations management, 31(2), 495-510.

Professional Affiliations
INFORMS
HEAL Trafficking
Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers
Professional Highlights & Honors
Fulbright Scholar, Ukrainian Catholic University, "Disrupting Human Trafficking in Ukraine Using Operations Research Methods," 2020/21 ,

Institute of Industrial Systems Engineers, Modeling and Simulation Division Teaching Award, 2021,

United Nations University Delta 8.7 Markets Working Group member (policies to deal with modern slavery, forced labour, human trafficking and child labour), 2020,

Romeo L. Moruzzi Young Faculty Award for Innovation in Undergraduate Education, WPI, 2018 ,

United States Department of Transportation Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking, invited member, 2018,

United States Department of Homeland Security – Science and Technology, Human Trafficking Advisory Committee, invited member, 2018,

IISE Transactions Editorial Board (current),

Operations Research for Health Care Editorial Board (current),

News

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Media Coverage

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The Christian Science Monitor
Brain gain: Universities worldwide step up to help Ukrainian scholars

The Christian Science Monitor spoke with Business School Associate Professor Renata Konrad about how she and her colleagues at WPI to help people affected by the war in Ukraine. Prof. Konrad also talked about she and other faculty members are remotely advising students in Ukraine.

WBUR 90.9
Mass. Ukrainians send money, tactical medicine to battlefield back home

WBUR spoke with Associate Professor of Business Renata Konrad (at the 7:33:40 mark) about her efforts to help the people of Ukraine, amid the Russian invasion. Professor Konrad talked about how she has organized donations of first aids and medical supplies, as well as the help and support she’s received from the WPI community.