Keynote Speakers
July 20, 2026 (Day 1)
10:30 – 11:00 – Conference Opening
Dr. Ignasi Florensa Ferrando
Director
Escola Universitària Salesiana de Sarrià (EUSS School of Engineering)
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Dr. Ignasi Florensa is the Director of the Escola Universitària Salesiana de Sarrià (EUSS), a prominent engineering school in Barcelona affiliated with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). In his role as Director, he leads the strategic management and academic development of the institution, fostering a pedagogical model known as “Engineering by Doing,” which emphasizes practical competence and holistic student development.
Dr. Florensa holds a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in the Didactics of Mathematics, as well as an Industrial Engineering degree. This multidisciplinary background allows him to bridge the gap between technical engineering requirements and educational theory. Before assuming the position of Director, he served in various academic and management roles within the university, contributing significantly to the definition of engineering curricula.
As a researcher, Dr. Florensa is an active member of the international community in Mathematics Education. His research framework is grounded in the Anthropological Theory of the Didactic (ATD). His primary research interests focus on the design, implementation, and analysis of Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) environments, specifically through Study and Research Paths (SRP). He investigates how mathematical modeling can be effectively integrated into engineering education to improve future engineers’ professional competencies.
Dr. Florensa has authored numerous papers in high-impact scientific journals and is a regular contributor to international congresses such as the Congress of European Research in Mathematics Education (CERME) and the International Network for Didactic Research in University Mathematics (INDRUM). He is dedicated to advancing engineering education by promoting teaching methodologies that connect rigorous mathematical tools with real-world engineering problems.
11:00 – 11:30, July 20, 2026 – Keynote
Prof. Dr. Dursun Delen
Regents Professor at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
and Professor at Istinye University, Istanbul, Turkey
Short Bio
Dr. Dursun Delen is a world-renowned thought leader in the fields of artificial intelligence, data science, and business analytics. He currently serves as the William S. Spears Endowed Chair in Business Administration and the Patterson Family Endowed Chair in Business Analytics at Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he is also a Regents Professor of Management Science and Information Systems and the Director of Research for the Center for Health Systems Innovation. Before joining OSU, Dr. Delen spent five years as a research scientist at a private research and consultancy company, where he led groundbreaking advanced analytics projects funded by prestigious federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and NASA. His prolific scholarship is evidenced by more than 250 peer-reviewed articles and 12 influential books, making him a sought-after consultant and keynote speaker at national and international conferences. In addition to his research and teaching, Dr. Delen shapes the future of his field as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Business Analytics and AI in Business (Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence), and as a senior or associate editor for several other top-tier journals. His exceptional contributions have been recognized through numerous federal grants and awards—including honors as an eminent professor, Fulbright scholar, Regents’ Distinguished Teacher and Researcher, President’s Outstanding Researcher, and Big Data Mentor.
Presentation Title: Making Sense of AI, Data Science, and the Future of Decision-Making
Abstract:
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, big data, and business intelligence—these terms dominate conversations in industry and academia alike. Yet, for many, they remain blurred together, creating confusion about what each truly means and how they differ. This keynote aims to cut through the noise by demystifying these concepts, clarifying where they overlap, and—most importantly—showing where their real power lies. Through vivid, real-world examples drawn from healthcare, education, entertainment, and beyond, the talk will reveal how organizations are turning data into meaningful insight and competitive advantage. Rather than framing data science as just another buzzword, we’ll explore its feasibility, practical applications, and enduring value proposition as a driver of innovation. By the end, participants will not only understand the distinctions between the terms but also see how data-driven strategies are shaping industries and solving pressing global challenges. Join us for a pragmatic journey that bridges technical depth with approachable clarity—designed to empower leaders, practitioners, and innovators to see through the jargon and unlock the real promise of AI and data science.
11:30 – 12:00, July 20, 2026 – Keynote
Dr. José Carlos de Sá (PhD)
Associate Professor
Recognized Specialist in Quality Management
Programme Coordinator, Postgraduate Programme in Lean Six Sigma
Engineering School of Porto (ISEP), Polytechnic of Porto, Portugal
Presentation Title: Operational Excellence through Lean and Culture: Shaping People for Industry 5.0 with the Shingo Model
José Carlos de Sá is an Associate Professor at the Porto School of Engineering (ISEP), Polytechnic of Porto, and a Visiting Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, Portugal, with over 20 years of experience in higher education. He holds a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Minho (Portugal). José Carlos de Sá began his industrial career in 1998, initially as a junior consultant, later serving as Production and Quality Director in a multinational company. From 2004 to 2020, he worked extensively with industrial companies as a Senior Specialist Consultant on projects focused on safety improvement, waste reduction, and productivity enhancement. He started teaching in higher education in 2006 and has been a full-time lecturer at ISEP since 2020. He has also served as a Visiting Professor at Lusófona University (Porto) and ISAG – European Business School. He is a researcher at LAETA (INEGI, Portugal). In June 2015, he was awarded the Portuguese Specialist Title in Quality Management by the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, a nationally regulated professional-academic recognition granted after public examination by an independent doctoral-level jury. This prestigious title is only conferred to individuals with over ten years of full-time industrial experience and distinguished applied research in the field, in recognition of their significant contributions to quality management and continuous improvement. He has published over 135 articles (WoS + Scopus), edited several books, participated in European projects, and has been invited as a keynote speaker at international conferences. He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the journal Technological Sustainability and of the Editorial Board of the journal System Safety: Human – Technical – Facility – Environment.
12:00 – 12:30, July 20, 2026 – Keynote
Dr. Rupa Vasudevan
Chancellor
Bharatiya Engineering Science and Technology Innovation University (BEST IU)
Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh
Dr. Rupa Vasudevan is an Educationist, Sociopreneur, Founder and Co-Chairperson of BEST Group (Gatti Valley Educational Institutions). She is the Chancellor of Bharatiya Engineering Science and Technology Innovation University (BEST IU), a State Private University established in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.
Co-Founder and Director of Evergreen Naturals – EN, a company that focuses on cheaper availability of high-quality agricultural inputs to small and marginal farmers, monitoring growth and farming practices and helping in establishing forward and backward linkages in supply chain management. She is Appointed as one of the ten academicians in the General and Executive Council of Karnataka State Higher Education Council- KSHEC, apex body on education in the State. Regional Co-Chair for ASSOCHAM – Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka State. Founder and Global President of World Forum for Education, an independent non-profit organization working globally to advance sustainable development, humanitarian response and facilitating public good through Knowledge sharing and Education. Trustee of Apna Desh Foundation, a Foundation that spearheads initiatives, finding meaningful ways to make a difference to our farmers while documenting best traditional practices from rural areas of the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Honorary Trustee of Disha Bharat, a non-profit social organisation that works in the field of value education. Member, Governing Council of Indic Academy (INDICA) – a non-traditional University for traditional knowledge systems. And Member, Governing Council of India Foundation, New Delhi.
12:30 – 13:00, July 20, 2026 – Keynote
Carla Ruiz
Quality and Production Manager
Ball Corporation
Barcelona, Spain
Carla Ruiz holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Organization Engineering from the Salesian University School of Sarrià (EUSS), an engineering school in Barcelona affiliated with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).
Her final degree project focused on the optimization of several customer service processes at Siemens Spain, within the industrial automation products division. This experience sparked her interest in process improvement, operational efficiency, and customer-focused solutions.
Carla began her professional career in the electrical and electronic distribution sector, where she led inventory optimization initiatives across multiple company locations by implementing min-max stock management systems based on customer demand. She also drove several organizational improvement projects, including the implementation of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system for the sales team.
She later spent three and a half years in the metal industry, working for a manufacturer of stainless-steel components. There, she gained hands-on experience in Lean Manufacturing, Kanban systems, problem-solving methodologies, production planning, and team management within a batch production environment.
Today, Carla serves as Quality and Production Manager at Ball Corporation, a global leader in sustainable aluminum packaging. Following Ball’s acquisition of Alucan Entec in November 2024, where she had previously worked as Maintenance Manager for two and a half years, she assumed her current leadership role.
Her primary focus is supporting the company’s integration into a multinational organization while leading quality and production performance. This includes driving cultural change, developing people, promoting ownership and accountability, and strengthening collaboration with a diverse network of stakeholders, from shop-floor teams and global functional leaders to suppliers and customers. She believes that Operational Excellence is achieved not only through robust processes and systems, but also through effective communication, alignment, and strong relationships across the value chain.
Day 21, 2026 (Day 2)
10:30 – 11:00, July 21, 2026 – Keynote
Gemma Berenguer, Ph.D.
Ramón y Cajal Fellow
Associate Professor
Vice Dean of the Bachelor in Management and Technology
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Spain)
Professor Berenguer is a Ramón y Cajal Fellow and received her Ph.D. in Operations Research at the University of California, Berkeley. She also holds an M.Eng. in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (ZLC), an M.S. in Economics (Barcelona GSE), and an undergraduate degree in Mathematics (UPC BarcelonaTech). Before joining UC3M, she was an Assistant Professor at the Krannert School of Management, Purdue University.
Professor Berenguer’s major research topics are nonprofit supply chain management, sustainable operations, and supply chain design. She teaches at the undergraduate, Master, and Executive levels in the areas of Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, and Sustainable and Socially Responsible Operations. She has experience collaborating with private, public and nonprofit organizations in the global healthcare, consumer goods, transportation, electronic goods, and solar energy sectors. She has published in journals such as Management Science, Operations Research, M&SOM, Production and Operations Management (POM), and Journal of Operations Management. She serves as Associate Editor at Operations Research Journal, Senior Editor at POM Journal, and is on the Editorial Review Board of the Decision Sciences Journal. Among different accomplishments, she has won the Skinner Best paper award at POM journal (2018) and the SOLA Informs Bi-annual Dissertation Award (2014).
Professor Berenguer is the Vice Dean of the Bachelor of Management and Technology at UC3M. She has served as the 2023 President of the Public Sector Operations Research (PSOR) Section at INFORMS and the Vice-President Europe at POMS (2022-2024).
11:00 – 11:30, July 21, 2026 – Keynote
Sinan Onal, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of Industrial Engineering
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville (SIUE)
Edwardsville, Illinois, USA
Sinan Onal, Ph.D., is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). His work focuses on how AI and machine learning can be designed and deployed as part of real operational systems, with an emphasis on reliability, accountability, and measurable outcomes. His research interests include human-centered AI in healthcare operations and data-driven decision support for early identification and follow-up pathways. A key application area in his group is gait-based analysis (iGAIT) as a scalable signal to support earlier screening and referral workflows, especially when stakeholders extend beyond the clinic to include families, schools, payers, and public agencies. He also works on AI-enabled quality and inspection systems, applying computer vision and statistical learning to improve process performance and product quality in industrial settings.
Dr. Onal has been active in the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE), serving as President of the Data Analytics & Information Systems (DAIS) Division, as a Board Director, and as Chairperson for DAIS-related activities at the IISE Annual Conference. His recognitions include the SIUE Teaching Excellence Award, the SIU System Collaboration Award, the SIU Faculty Collaborations Award, the Hoppe Research Professor Award, Outstanding IE Teaching Awards, the IISE Energy Systems Division Best Paper Award, an invited speaker role for the Service-Learning Workshop at Arizona State University, and selection for the Frontiers of Engineering Education Symposium at the National Academies’ Beckman Center.
Presentation Title: A Network Operating System for AI-Enabled Early Diagnosis: Architecture, Orchestration, and Governance
Abstract: Early diagnosis is often discussed as a prediction problem, but in practice it is a coordination problem. Signals may exist across home, school, and clinical settings, yet delays occur when ownership is unclear, handoffs fail, and follow-up actions are not completed. This keynote presents a forward-looking framework for AI-enabled early diagnosis ecosystems that treats early diagnosis as a closed-loop network operation rather than a stand-alone model output. The proposed “Network OS” functions as a coordination layer for the screening-to-services pathway, integrating multi-source signal capture, uncertainty-aware AI triage to support safe prioritization under limited capacity, and orchestration that assigns an owner, deadline, escalation, and closure for each next step. Trust and governance mechanisms such as consent, access control, audit trails, and monitoring are embedded to support safe adoption and scaling. A learning loop uses system-level outcomes to update both models and workflows over time. Operationalization is illustrated through iGAIT, where gait-based signals provide a scalable input that can support earlier routing to screening, evaluation, and services across families, schools, clinicians, payers, and public agencies. The keynote defines outcome measures as timeliness, closed-loop completion, equity gaps, and workforce burden and outlines a pilot implementation and evaluation plan centered on continuous monitoring.
11:30 -12:00, July 21, 2026 – Keynote
Dr. Keivan Amirbagheri
Head, Department of Management Engineering
Escola Universitària Salesiana de Sarrià (EUSS School of Engineering)
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Dr. Keivan Amirbagheri is the Head of the Department of Management Engineering (Industrial Organization) at the Escola Universitària Salesiana de Sarrià (EUSS School of Engineering), affiliated with the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). He holds a Ph.D. in Business from the University of Barcelona (2019) and a Master’s degree in Research in Business (2014) from the same institution. His educational background also includes an undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering with a specialization in Industrial Production, and a degree in Executive Administration with a focus on Strategic Administration.
Dr. Amirbagheri’s research interests lie at the intersection of operations management, sustainability, and decision-making sciences. He specializes in Supply Chain Management, particularly Green Supply Chain and Humanitarian Supply Chain operations. He is also a recognized expert in the application of bibliometric analysis to map scientific trends in environmental sciences and engineering, as well as the use of Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) operators as decision-making tools in business and environmental contexts.
In addition to his administrative role, Dr. Amirbagheri teaches advanced quantitative methods for management to engineering students. He is an active researcher with publications in high-impact journals, including Computers & Industrial Engineering, Energy for Sustainable Development, Environment and Behavior, and Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy. His work often explores the evolution of research in sustainability, environmental accounting, and the integration of fuzzy logic in industrial decision-making. He actively collaborates with international researchers from institutions in Chile, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
12:00 – 12:30, July 21, 2026 – Keynote
Dr. Olga Battaïa
Professor
Operations Management and Information Systems Department
KEDGE Business School
Bordeaux, France
Presentation Title: Human-Centric Manufacturing: Opportunities and Challenges
Olga Battaïa is a Full Professor of Operations Management and Information Systems at KEDGE Business School. Her work focuses on sustainable operations and decision support systems. From 2020 to 2025, she served as Associate Dean for Research, overseeing nine research centers and more than 200 faculty members and supporting the development of interdisciplinary research across the school.
She is an Associate Editor for journals such as Journal of Manufacturing Systems, IISE Transactions, and Omega – The International Journal of Management Science and member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Production Economics. She also serves as DEI Chair of the IFAC Technical Committee on Management and Control in Manufacturing and Logistics.
Her research covers supply chain management, sustainable manufacturing, business analytics, and equity-aware decision support. She has published more than 270 peer-reviewed articles and supervised 18 PhD and DBA students and over 120 Master’s students. She has been listed in the Stanford–Elsevier ranking of the world’s top 2% of scientists.
Prof. Battaïa has led and contributed to research projects funded by organizations such as the French National Research Agency, the German Research Foundation, and the European Union. These projects address topics including decision-making under uncertainty, sustainable and adaptable production systems, and human-centered operations management. She regularly presents her work at conferences and universities around the world.
12:30 – 13:00, July 21, 2026 – Keynote
Núria Delriu Gispert
Key Account Supply
Danone
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Nuria holds a degree in Industrial Organization Engineering from the Salesian University School of Sarrià (EUSS), an engineering school in Barcelona affiliated with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). Her final degree thesis focused on the application of mindfulness in organizations, exploring how emotional awareness, focus, and well-being can positively influence performance, decision-making, and organizational culture.
Nuria has over six years of experience in Operations and Supply Chain at Danone, where she has developed a strong end-to-end understanding of supply chain processes. She started her career in the Master Data team, playing a key role in optimizing operational processes through data accuracy, standardization, and governance. During this stage, she led data-driven improvements and developed automation robots that significantly reduced manual work, improved reliability, and increased efficiency across teams.
She later transitioned into the Planning team, where she worked with different production, planning, and demand strategies. In this role, she strengthened her analytical and strategic capabilities, contributing to better forecast accuracy, production alignment, and operational agility in a complex and dynamic environment.
Currently, she works in Customer Collaboration, operating at the interface between supply chain and key customers. In this position, she drives close cross-functional and external collaboration to optimize end-to-end processes, improve service levels, and enhance the final delivery experience. Her work focuses on maximizing transparency, alignment, and continuous improvement at the last mile of the supply chain, ensuring value creation for both the company and its customers.
July 22, 2026 (Day 3)
10:3o – 11:00 am, July 22, 2026 – Keynote
Dr. Jiri Tupa
COO Research and Innovation Center for Electrical Engineering
Associate Professor in the Department of Material and Technologies
University of West Bohemia
Pilsen, Czech Republic
Presentation Title: From Risk to Resilience: Rethinking Human-Centered Risk Management for Industry 5.0
Jiri Tupa received his MSc (2002) and PhD (2006) in Electrical Engineering from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen in Czech Republic. He is an Associate Professor at the Department of Materials and Technologies. Dr. Tupa is a member of executive management at the Regional Innovation Centre for Electrical Engineering of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. He is also PhD supervisor, evaluator of the National Accreditation Bureau for Higher Education, reviewer of journal and conference publications, and co-organizer of conferences. Since March 2020 is a Fellow of the Industrial Engineering and Operations Management Society International (IEOM).
His research interests include Business Process Management, Industry 4.0, Risk and Performance Management in Electrical Engineering Industry, Industrial Engineering, Electronics Manufacturing, and Diagnostics, Financial and Project Management, Knowledge Transfer. Jiri Tupa is responsible for several international research and development projects with industrial and University partners. He is the author and co-author of research publications in international journals and conference proceedings.
11:00 – 11:30 am, July 22, 2026 – Keynote
Dr. Hiroyuki Goto
Full Professor
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Hosei University
Koganei, Tokyo
Japan
Presentation Title: Beyond Shortest Paths in Geographical and Social Systems
Hiroyuki Goto is a Full Professor in the Faculty of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Hosei University, Japan. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from The University of Tokyo in 1995 and 1997, respectively. He received his D.E degree from Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Technology in 2004. His research and teaching interests include operations research, geographic information science, and high-performance computing.
11:30 – 12:00 pm, July 22, 2026 – Keynote
Dr. Daniel Luiz de Mattos Nascimento
Associate Professor, UB Business School
University of Barcelona, Spain
Associate Editor of the International Journal of Lean Six Sigma (IJLSS) and Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE)
Dr. Daniel Luiz de Mattos Nascimento is an Associate Professor at the University of Barcelona and a recognized scholar in operations, digital transformation, and sustainable industrial systems. He serves as Associate Editor of the International Journal of Lean Six Sigma (IJLSS) and Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE), and has held academic positions at the University of Jaén (Spain) and as Visiting Professor at the University of Derby (United Kingdom). Before transitioning to academia, Dr. Nascimento built a high-impact career spanning over a decade in multinational Oil & Gas corporations, where he contributed to the delivery of large-scale, capital-intensive industrial assets across the full lifecycle, from design to execution, commissioning, and operations in complex onshore, offshore, and infrastructure environments. This background provides a distinctive foundation for bridging strategic decision-making, operational excellence, and digital innovation. He has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications in Scopus and the Web of Science (JCR), and holds 12 registered software patents, 11 of which are open source, reflecting a strong commitment to innovation, knowledge transfer, and open digital ecosystems. His research lies at the intersection of Industry 4.0, openBIM interoperability, and the circular economy, with a focus on enabling data-driven, resilient, and sustainable systems. He actively collaborates with international industry partners and standardization initiatives, advancing digital frameworks in energy and infrastructure.
12:00 – 12:30 pm, July 22, 2026 – Keynote
Sri Bharatlal Meena, retd IAS
Chairman
Bharatiya Engineering Science and Technology Innovation University (BEST IU)
Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India
Bharat Lal Meena, a distinguished civil servant and visionary leader, serves as the esteemed Founder and Chairman of Bharatiya Engineering Science and Technology Innovation University located in Andhra Pradesh. With an illustrious career spanning over 32 years within the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), he has held pivotal roles across various departments within the Karnataka State Government and the Government of India.
His remarkable tenure includes serving as the Managing Director of the Bangalore Electric Supply Company, Commissioner of both BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) and BDA (Bangalore Development Authority), as well as assuming the mantle of Principal Secretary in the field of Agriculture. Culminating his career in public service, Shri. Meena retired in 2017 as the Additional Chief Secretary overseeing Higher Education in Karnataka.
Throughout his esteemed career, Shri. Meena has exemplified dedication, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. His multifaceted experience in leadership roles within various governmental bodies underscores his profound understanding of governance and administration. As Chairman, Shri. Bharat Lal Meena continues to steer Bharatiya Engineering Science and Technology Innovation University towards unprecedented heights of academic excellence and innovation.
12:30 – 1:00 pm, July 22, 2026 – Keynote
Ahad Ali, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Director, Doctor of Engineering in Advanced Manufacturing
Director of Industrial Engineering Program
Director, Graduate Certificate in Lean Six Sigma
Director, Smart Manufacturing and Lean Systems Research Group
Coordinator, Siemens Electro-Matic Industrial Engineering Lab
A. Leon Linton Department of Mechanical, Robotics and Industrial Engineering
Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, Michigan, MI 48075, USA
Presentation Title:
Industrial Engineering Senior Design and Course Projects with Local Companies: Solving Real-World Industry Problems and Publishing with IEOM Society
Dr. Ahad Ali is an associate professor, director of the Doctor of Engineering in Advanced Manufacturing, Director of the Industrial Engineering Program, and Director of Graduate Certificate in Lean Six Sigma at A. Leon Linton Department of Mechanical, Robotics, and Industrial Engineering of the Lawrence Technological University (LTU), Southfield, Michigan, USA. He established the Siemens Electro-Matic Industrial Engineering Lab at LTU. Dr. Ali was the primary author of the ABET self-study report of the BSIE Program at LTU in 2022. He earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Bangladesh, a Master’s in Systems and Engineering Management from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA. Dr. Ali was an Assistant Professor in Industrial Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez, a Visiting Assistant Professor in Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Toledo, and a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the Bangladesh Institute of Technology, Khulna. He received an Outstanding Professor Award from the Industrial Engineering Department, University of Puerto Rico -Mayaguez. Dr. Ali has been recognized with a Fulbright Award. He has published 75 journal papers and 150 conference papers. Dr Ali conducted research projects with Chrysler, Ford, DTE Energy, New Center Stamping, Whelan Co., Delphi Automotive System, GE Medical Systems, International Truck and Engine Corporation (ITEC), and Rockwell Automation. His research interests include manufacturing systems, quality, lean, six-sigma, simulation, artificial intelligence, supply chain, and optimization. He supervised 11 doctoral students in the Doctor of Engineering in Manufacturing Systems (DEMS). He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IEOM Society International. Dr. Ali is a Co-Chair of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management. Dr. Ali organized IEOM conferences around the globe on six continents including Dhaka, Kuala Lumpur, Istanbul, Bali, Dubai, Orlando, Detroit, Rabat, Bristol, Bogota, Paris, Washington, DC, Lima, Johannesburg, Bangkok, Pilsen, Toronto, Costa Rica, Monterrey, Sao Paulo, Riyadh, Manila, Melbourne, New Delhi, Sydney, Augsburg, Tokyo, and Muscat. He is an associate editor of the IJIEOM (Q1, Scopus Indexing). Dr. Ali is a member of IEOM, INFORMS, SME, and IEEE.