Registration to attend:<\/strong> https:\/\/www.xcdsystem.com\/IEOM\/attendee\/index.cfm?ID=sejdN9d<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n 8:30 am \u2013 8:40 am: Conference Opening<\/p>\n Jos\u00e9 Barrios Ng, co-founder and partner at ABCO Global, is a successful business director and entrepreneur.<\/p>\n He has worked as Director of Planning and Project Manager and\/or Vice-President of Finance in companies such as ESSO, Cervecer\u00eda Nacional (largest brewery in Panama), Cable & Wireless and the Panama Canal.<\/p>\n In 2002 Jos\u00e9 Barrios Ng joined the managing team at the Panama Canal Authority as Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance, where he was responsible for planning, financial analysis, risk management, administration of ACP contracts, and the strategy and policy design of financial continuous improvement.\u00a0 In 2007, he was appointed Deputy Administrator of the Panama Canal where he directed the group that managed the financing for the five billion dollar expansion project of the Panama Canal.<\/p>\n He currently acts as president and chairman of the board for one of the largest private universities in Panama, Universidad Latina de Panama.\u00a0 Under his leadership, enrollment at Universidad Latina has more than doubled.\u00a0\u00a0 He is also board member of two other universities: Universidad Americana and UNESCPA, a university specialized in training and certifying public accountants.<\/p>\n Jos\u00e9 Barrios Ng serves as President for 4AB Distribution Company, and has served as President of the Panama Stock Market for 3 years, President for Optima Insurance, the media group Nueva Prensa Financiera (Capital Financiero newspaper), and the Panama Rotary Club. He is a member of the Board of Directors for numerous important enterprises including ABCO Global, Panama Metro, Panama Maritime Authority, the real estate trust Alianza Properties, and San Fernando Hospital, accumulating vast experience in diverse economic sectors.<\/p>\n Jos\u00e9 Barrios is a distinguished ex alumnus and member of the Advisory Board of the School of Engineering of Georgia Tech.<\/p>\n In 2014, he was awarded Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa, from Southeastern Louisiana University, and has received numerous other recognitions such as: Executive of the Year (Capital Financiero); Financial Executive of the year, 1996 & 2011 (Panama stock exchange); Outstanding Teaching Award 1997, 2000, 2001 (ULACIT); and Outstanding member award-\u00a0 Rotary Club of Panama, among others.<\/p>\n He is an Electrical Engineer from Louisiana State University, has a Master\u2019s degree in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech, and a Master\u2019s degree in Economic Engineering from the University of California\u2014Los Angeles (UCLA), and completed additional post graduate studies in Operational Investigation at UCLA. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Pennsylvania in Higher Education Administration.<\/p>\n 8:40 am \u2013 9:20 am: Keynote 1<\/p>\n Ying Xie is currently the Director of the Logistics Cluster at the University of Central Florida. She was a Professor of Supply Chain Analytics at Cranfield University, United Kingdom. She is an internationally recognized leader in supply chain management, operations research, machine learning, big data analytics, and intelligent decision-support systems. She has held numerous senior academic leadership positions, including Director of the Centre for Intelligent Supply Chain and Head of School at Anglia Ruskin University, where she led strategic initiatives in research, education, and international partnerships. A Principal Fellow of Advance HE, Prof. Xie has successfully led and managed research and innovation projects funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Innovate UK, the European Union, and major industry partners. Her research focuses on digital supply chains, sustainable aviation, logistics, maritime systems, artificial intelligence, and supply chain resilience. She serves on several national strategic advisory boards and is widely recognized for fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and government to develop innovative, data-driven solutions that enhance global supply chain performance and sustainability.<\/p>\n Dr. Xie earned her Ph.D. in Supply Chain and Operational Research from Coventry University, United Kingdom, and a Master of Science with Distinction in Intelligence Engineering from the University of Liverpool, specializing in Artificial Intelligence, Control Theory, and Fuzzy Systems.<\/p>\n 9:20 am – 10:00 am: Keynote 2<\/p>\n Luis Rocha-Lona is a professor in Operations Management at the Business School at National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico and at Tec de Monterrey, Campus Santa Fe. Luis Rocha graduated from the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico (IPN) as Automation Control Systems Engineer. Then, he pursued an MSc in Control Systems with a major in information systems\/manufacturing at the University of Sheffield, UK. He holds a PhD in Operations Management from The Manchester Business School. Dr Luis Rocha-Lona has eight years of working experience in the public and private sectors. He has lead several projects involved with service and manufacturing organisations and is currently supervising Master and PhD students at National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico.<\/p>\n 10:00 am – 10:40 am: Keynote 3<\/p>\n Dr. Ivan Garibay is an Associate Professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, University of Central Florida. He is the Director of UCF Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Initiative, Director of Master of Science Program in Data Analytics, and the Director of the Complex Adaptive Systems Laboratory. He is also the Founding Director of the UCF I\u2010Corps program. His interests lie in studying complex socio\u2010technical systems such as social media and artificial social intelligence. He received Ph.D. in Computer Science and M.S. in Computer Science from University of Central Florida, P.E. in Electronic Engineering (Titulo Profesional) and B.S. in Electronic Engineering from Ricardo Palma University, Peru.<\/p>\n 10:40 am – 11:00 am: Break<\/p>\n 11:00 am \u2013 11:30 am, Tuesday, August 4, 2026 – Keynote 4<\/p>\n Dr. Dario Sol\u00eds is the Business Development Director for Innovation and Technology Partnerships at the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University (ASU). In this role, he leads strategic initiatives that connect academia, industry, and government to accelerate innovation, workforce development, and technology-based economic growth. His work focuses on building partnerships that transform research into real-world impact while advancing emerging technology sectors.<\/p>\n Dr. Sol\u00eds earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa and has built a distinguished career at the intersection of engineering, innovation, higher education, and public policy. Throughout his career, he has developed and led collaborative initiatives that strengthen advanced manufacturing, semiconductor and microelectronics ecosystems, entrepreneurship, and international research partnerships. His experience spans the United States and Latin America, where he has worked closely with governments, universities, and private industry to create sustainable innovation ecosystems that support talent development and long-term economic competitiveness.<\/p>\n A strong advocate for cross-sector collaboration, Dr. Sol\u00eds is passionate about connecting people, institutions, and ideas to solve complex technological challenges. His expertise includes innovation strategy, technology partnerships, research development, workforce development, advanced manufacturing, and international collaboration. He has helped establish programs that align education, research, and industry needs to create opportunities for students, researchers, and technology-driven companies.<\/p>\n Dr. Sol\u00eds is also recognized for his commitment to mentoring the next generation of engineers and technology leaders. He was the inaugural recipient of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) McDonald Mentoring Award, a prestigious honor recognizing his outstanding and sustained commitment to mentoring and developing students and professionals.<\/p>\n 11:30 am \u2013 12:00 pm: Keynote 5<\/p>\n Presentation Title: The Potential Title: Uncertainty Management in the Supply Chain: Math, Tech, and Wisdom<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Dr Juan Marcos Castillo holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, he is a professor at the Universidad Tecnol\u00f3gica de Panam\u00e1 (UTP) and directs a Panama & Perspective Analytics, a Think Tank in Logistics, and the Smart Logistics Lab which is attached to the C TASC AIP, a Center of Education, Research, Development and Innovation in Semiconductors.\u00a0 Dr Castillo is a Husband, a Father, a visionary and Christian leader.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 12:00 pm \u2013 12:30 pm: Keynote 6<\/p>\n Presentation Title: Manufacturing in a VUCA World: Evolving from Resilience Recovery to Antifragile Advantage<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Cristian Rinc\u00f3n-Guio is an Industrial Engineer and a PhD candidate in Engineering \u2013 Industry and Organizations at Universidad Nacional de Colombia. He serves as Associate Professor and researcher at UNIMINUTO, where he leads research projects on resilience in manufacturing. Classified as Senior Researcher by MINCIENCIAS (2025), he has authored over 20 Scopus-indexed publications and delivered more than 15 presentations at international conferences including IEOM, POMS, DSMIE, and ICIEN. His current research focuses on how manufacturing firms build resilience capabilities to adapt to volatile disruptions in VUCA environments.<\/p>\n 12:30 pm \u2013 1:00 pm: Keynote 7<\/p>\n Presentation Title: Technological Development in Panama: A Perspective from Engineering, Microelectronics, and Innovation<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Miguel Torres Miranda holds a BSc in electronic engineering from the Technological University of Panama, an MSc in Microelectronics from the University of Grenoble, France and a PhD in MicroElectronics from the Sorbonne Universit\u00e9 in Paris, France. He has worked with different hardware technologies: designing and manufacturing integrated circuits with flexible materials at Ecole Polytechnique in Paris and Joanneum Research in Graz, Austria, and testing novel X-Ray detector chips at CEA Leti in Grenoble, France. He has also developed a career in the technical side of medical devices, designing and testing brain and heart monitors and microfabricating brain-computer interfaces with graphene materials. After several years, he decided to focus on commercializing hardware technologies in different companies and earned an MBA from ESADE Business School. He is currently the director of CITEP, the Center for Innovation in Technology and Electronics of Panama, a new private project fostering technical education for industries and professionals focusing mainly on IoT and edge AI.<\/p>\n 8:30 am – 8:40 am: Day 2 Conference Opening<\/p>\n Oscar Le\u00f3n\u202freceived his Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration in 1989 and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1988, both from the University of Louisville. He is a Fulbright Scholar and the State Department International Visitor Leadership Program alumni.<\/p>\n Le\u00f3n is the President and Founder of Quality Leadership University (QLU), a Panamanian Higher Education Institution he founded in 1997. QLU has offered undergraduate and graduate programs in academic cooperation with University of Louisville since 1999, and both institutions have graduated more than 2,000 Latin American professionals in Panama. Panamanians are the largest nationality of undergraduate students\u00b4 population at UofL main campus.\u202f<\/p>\n Le\u00f3n\u202fserves as\u202fSecretary of the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Panama. He served as President of the Private Sector Council for Educational Assistance, an organization composed of more than 30 business associations. He was also a member of the Permanent Multisector Council for the Implementation of the National Commitment to Education.<\/p>\n Le\u00f3n is a member of the Board of Directors of the Panamanian Fulbright Association. He was also a member of the National Council for University Evaluation and Accreditation of Panama. Le\u00f3n formerly served as President of the Association of Private Universities of Panama and as a Treasurer of the Association of Private Universities of Central America.<\/p>\n Le\u00f3n\u202fis a member of the Lions Club International. Le\u00f3n is founding and building the PK-12 Notre Dame Academy of Panama in 2023, institution that will educate more than one thousand students with a STEM focus.<\/p>\n 8:40 am – 9:20 am: Keynote 8<\/p>\n Mariana holds a Bachelor of Political Science in International Relations from the University of Louisville, a Master of Business Administration from Florida International University, and a Doctor of Education in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education from Johns Hopkins University. Mariana has more than 15 years of experience managing academic and research programs. As Academic VP she is responsible for the design of academic programs, research, and engagement.<\/p>\n 9:20 am – 10:00 am: Keynote 9<\/p>\n Maria Auxiliadora Cannarozzo Tinoco is an Associate Professor in Industrial Engineering at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil, where she currently serves as Chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Transportation. She holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from UFRGS and a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Chemical Engineering. Her academic trajectory includes leadership roles in undergraduate program coordination and active engagement in the university\u2019s innovation ecosystem.<\/p>\n She is an active researcher affiliated with the Organizational Engineering Research Group (NEO\/UFRGS) and the Innovation and Sustainability Center (NIS\/UFRGS), leading projects on digital technologies for vocational and training education, as well as new business design based on public data. She currently leads initiatives focused on the modernization of engineering education, supported by CAPES and the Fulbright Commission, involving benchmarking with North American universities. Her research interests include Service Management, Quality Management, Sustainable Product-Service Systems, Innovation, and Engineering Education, with a recent emphasis on the integration of Artificial Intelligence.<\/p>\n 10:00 am – 10:40 am: Keynote 10<\/p>\n Waldemar Karwowski is Pegasus Professor and Chairman, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, University of Central Florida, USA. He holds an M.S. in Production Engineering and Management from the University of Technology Wroclaw, Poland, and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Texas Tech University, USA. He was awarded D.Sc. in management science by the Institute for Organization and Management in Industry, Warsaw, and received the National Professorship title from the President of Poland (2012). Three Central European universities also awarded him Doctor Honoris Causa degrees. Dr. Karwowski served on the Board on Human Systems Integration, National Research Council, USA (2007\u20132011). He currently is Co-Editor-in-Chief of Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science journal, Editor-in-Chief of Human-Intelligent Systems Integration journal, and Field Chief Editor of the Frontiers in Neuroergonomics. Dr. Karwowski has over 550 research publications, including over 200 journal papers. He is Fellow of the Ergonomics Society (U.K.), Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES), Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE), and the International Ergonomics Association (IEA), and served as President of both HFES (2006-2007) and IEA (2000-2003). He received the William Floyd Award from the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors, the United Kingdom in 2017, and the David F. Baker Distinguished Research Award. Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, Atlanta, USA, in 2020. He was elected to Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL), Orlando, Florida, USA, November 2020.<\/p>\n 10:40 – 11:00: Break<\/p>\n 11:00 \u2013 11:30, Wednesday, August 5, 2026 – Keynote 11<\/p>\n Elida de Obald\u00eda, Professor, Universidad Tecnol\u00f3gica de Panam\u00e1, and representative of Panama\u2019s Advanced Semiconductor Technology Center (C-TASC). Dr. Elida de Obald\u00eda is an internationally accomplished physicist, senior researcher and academic leader who serves as a central architect in Panama\u2019s emerging advanced technology sector. She is a professor and researcher at the Universidad Tecnol\u00f3gica de Panam\u00e1 affiliated with the Pierre y Marie Curie Laboratory in the School of Science and Technology and a member of Panama\u2019s prestigious National Research System. She also serves as Deputy Director for R&D and Talent Development in Panama\u2019s Advanced Semiconductor Technology Center, a strategic national initiative designed to integrate the country into the high-potential global microelectronics and semiconductor supply chain. De Obald\u00eda\u2019s leadership model bridges the gap between deep scientific research and macroeconomic execution. Her strategic priority at C-TASC centers on fostering active public-private-academic synergies, positioning Panama as a regional nucleus for high-value technological innovation and specialized human capital. Grounded in decades of experience across both corporate laboratories and academic environments, her philosophy emphasizes that national scientific self-reliance is achieved by building robust international research alliances. At UTP, she actively serves as a research liaison, engineering strategic pathways and academic agreements that connect Panamanian students and faculty directly with top-tier research institutions in the United States and globally. Widely recognized as a pioneer in advanced materials science, nanomaterials and solid-state physics, de Obald\u00eda earned her Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Boston University, followed by postdoctoral training at AT&T Bell Labs in Murray Hill, New Jersey. She spent over 15 years in the private semiconductor sector at Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas, culminating in her role as chief technical officer of product engineering for wireless connectivity, where she managed interdisciplinary engineering teams, optimized time-to-market systems and pioneered RFCMOS technology methodologies. Since returning to Panama, she has built an extensive, highly cited body of research focused on sustainable energy storage, thin-film nanotechnology and biosensors. Her work ranges from developing polycrystalline diamond coatings to improve lithium-ion battery lifetimes, to engineering piezoelectrically actuated microcantilevers for advanced biosensing. Her impeccable reputation as a consensus builder, mentor and rigorous experimentalist makes her a vital asset to international partners looking to navigate or invest in Panama\u2019s high-tech and semiconductor roadmap.<\/p>\n 11:30 am \u2013 12:00 pm: Keynote 12<\/p>\n Dr. Enitza George is a physician executive, board-certified family physician, and health systems leader with more than 30 years of experience in clinical practice, academic medicine, and healthcare transformation. She serves on the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Artificial Intelligence Task Force and is Co-Chair of the STFM AI Collaborative, advancing the responsible integration of AI into medical education and clinical practice. She is also the Health Systems Program Ambassador for the School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering at Binghamton University. Dr. George holds a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and is pursuing a PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering, where her research focuses on AI governance, systems management, and organizational accountability in healthcare.<\/p>\n 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm: Keynote 13<\/p>\n Presentation Title: OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE + SHINGO MODEL<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Fernando Gonzalez Aleu is a Professor and Researcher at the Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM) in Mexico. He received a BS in Mechanical and Management Engineering at UDEM, a MS at ITESM in 1999, and both an MS and PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2015 and 2016, respectively. His research focuses on the applications of continuous improvement projects. Prior industry experience includes 15 years implementing quality systems, environmental systems, and management systems. He is member of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, the American Society for Engineering Management, and the American Society for Quality.<\/p>\n 12:30 pm – 1:00 pm: Keynote 14<\/p>\n Presentation Title: From Single-Paradigm to Hybrid Simulation: Methodologies for Integrated Modeling<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Dr. Sarmiento is currently a professor and researcher in the Industrial Engineering program at the University of La Sabana. Dr. Sarmiento received his PhD in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida (Orlando, USA) with emphasis in simulation of systems applied to the supply chain. His master’s degree was from the University of Florida (Gainesville, USA) with a specialty in Operations Research focused on Logistics. His professional career combines the experience gained over several years as a consultant in industrial engineering (process improvement, production line balance, facility layout, costing, etc.) with teaching in the academic area in courses on quantitative decision-making methods and operations management. His current lines of research include the application of different simulation paradigms (system dynamics, discrete event and agent simulation) and reinforcement learning to model and analyze complex systems.<\/p>\n 8:45 am – 8:55 am: Day 3 Conference Opening<\/p>\n Dr. \u00c1ngela Laguna Caicedo is the President of the Technological University of Panama (UTP) and one of the country’s most respected academic leaders. A distinguished civil engineer, educator, and administrator with more than four decades of service, she has devoted her professional life to strengthening engineering education, advancing environmental sustainability, and fostering institutional excellence. Throughout her remarkable career, she has served in numerous leadership positions at UTP, including Academic Coordinator, Director of the Experimental Engineering Center, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, and now President. She has also made significant contributions to public policy through her work with Panama’s Ministry of Health and has been recognized nationally and internationally for her leadership in engineering, higher education, and professional organizations.<\/p>\n Few individuals have shaped the history of the Technological University of Panama as profoundly as Dr. Laguna. Early in her career, she had the privilege of serving as an assistant to Dr. V\u00edctor Levi Sasso, the visionary founder of UTP, an experience that profoundly influenced her lifelong commitment to the institution’s mission. Inspired by his vision, she has become one of the principal architects of the university’s continued growth and modernization. As a visionary leader, Dr. Laguna has championed the development of the Observatories Initiative, transforming UTP into much more than an institution of higher learning. Under her leadership, the University has strengthened its role as an “antenna” for emerging technologies, anticipating global trends while connecting academia, industry, and government. These observatories position UTP not only as a center of education and research but also as a catalyst for innovation, strategic intelligence, and national development, helping drive the Republic of Panama toward a more competitive, sustainable, and knowledge-based future. Her leadership is characterized by wisdom, humility, and an unwavering belief that universities must not simply respond to change\u2014they must help create it.<\/p>\n 8:55 am \u2013 9:10 am: A conversation about the Quality Institute. Their organization, projects, and success in Peru.<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Jos\u00e9 Carlos Flores Molina is the Director of the Quality Institute at the Pontificia Universidad Cat\u00f3lica del Per\u00fa (PUCP) and a Full Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering. He is an internationally recognized expert in quality management, Lean Six Sigma, operational excellence, continuous improvement, and organizational performance.<\/p>\n Dr. Flores earned his Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Florida International University, USA, and his Master of Science in Quality Engineering from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. He also holds Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification from TMAC at The University of Texas at Arlington, USA, and is an ISO 9000 Lead Auditor certified by the British Standards Institution (BSI), UK. He received his Industrial Engineering degree from the Pontificia Universidad Cat\u00f3lica del Per\u00fa.<\/p>\n As Director of the Quality Institute at PUCP, Dr. Flores leads academic, research, executive education, consulting, and outreach initiatives that promote quality management, operational excellence, innovation, and organizational competitiveness throughout Peru and Latin America. Under his leadership, the Institute has become a leading center for professional education, applied research, and industry collaboration, supporting organizations in both the public and private sectors through quality improvement, Lean Six Sigma implementation, process optimization, and organizational transformation.<\/p>\n Dr. Flores has held numerous national and international leadership positions. He currently serves as President of the National Society of Accredited Organizations in Quality Systems (SNOASC) and previously served as President of the Permanent Standardization Committee of Peru’s National Institute for Quality (INACAL) under the Ministry of Production from 2016 to 2019. Internationally, he served as Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean of the American Society for Quality (ASQ), where he promoted quality initiatives and professional development across the region. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the quality profession, he was elected an ASQ Fellow, one of the organization’s highest professional honors.<\/p>\n Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Flores has advised numerous organizations in implementing Lean Six Sigma, quality management systems, operational excellence, and continuous improvement methodologies. His work has significantly contributed to enhancing productivity, quality, and competitiveness across manufacturing, service, healthcare, education, and government organizations.<\/p>\n At the IEOM Conference, Dr. Flores Molina will participate in a featured conversation on the Quality Institute at PUCP, highlighting its mission, organizational structure, major projects, industry partnerships, research initiatives, and its contributions to advancing quality, operational excellence, and industrial competitiveness in Peru and throughout Latin America.<\/p>\n 9:10 am \u2013 9:50 am: Keynote 15<\/p>\n Dr. Luis Rabelo received the BS in Electro-Mechanical Engineer from the Technological University of Panama in 1983, an MS in Electrical Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1987 Master\u2019s and Doctorate in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri. He was a Postdoc at the University of Missouri in Nuclear Engineering. Dr. Rabelo received a dual MS in Systems and Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has worked for the Advanced Technology Group (Goodrich) and Honeywell Laboratories. Dr. Rabelo was a NASA Fellow from 2002 to 2005, and a Project Manager at NASA from 2009 to 2011. He is currently Professor in the Industrial Engineering and Management Systems Department at UCF. He is also the Undergraduate Coordinator. He has written more than 300 articles and a book in Artificial Intelligence. He has been the principal advisor for 39 Master\u2019s students and 29 PhDs. He received the award for the Best Scientific Article of the Year 2004 from the Society of Automotive Engineers, received the distinction \u201cONE NASA\u201d in 2006. He was the recipient of the Fulbright Distinction in 2008. In November 2008, he received the honor of the Technological University of Panama (UTP) of being the 2008 Distinguished Alumni. In 2011, he was the Henaac Award Winner in Education. In 2013 and 2018, he received the Forest R. McFarland Award from the Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE). Lately, he received the SAE Russell S. Springer Award for his article on the modeling of space operations systems in 2017.<\/p>\n 9:50 am \u2013 10:25 am: Keynote 16<\/p>\n
\nDay 1- August 4, 2026 (Tuesday)\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>– InterContinental Hotel<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Ing. Jos\u00e9 Barrios Ng
<\/strong>President and Chairman of the Board
<\/strong>Universidad Latina de Panama<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/barrios-239x300.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nDr. Ying Xie<\/strong>
Director of Logistics Cluster<\/strong>
University of Central Florida (USA)<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ying-297x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nDr. Luis Rocha Lona<\/strong>
Professor in Operations Management, Business School<\/strong>
National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico<\/strong>
M\u00e9xico City, Mexico<\/strong>
Tec de Monterrey, Campus Santa Fe<\/strong><\/h2>\n![](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/ieom2019\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Capture.png\")
<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/peru2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/ivan.png\")
Dr. Ivan Garibay<\/strong>
Associate Professor<\/strong>
Industrial Engineering and Management Systems<\/strong>
University of Central Florida<\/strong>
Orlando, Florida, USA<\/strong><\/h2>\nDirector, UCF Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Initiative<\/strong>
Director, Master of Science in Data Analytics<\/strong>
Director, Complex Adaptive Systems Laboratory<\/strong>
Founding Director, UCF I-Corps program<\/strong>
Affiliated appointments to Computer Science and Modeling and Simulation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\nDr. Dario Sol\u00eds
<\/strong>Business Development Director for Innovation and Technology Partnerships
<\/strong>Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
<\/strong>Arizona State University (ASU)
<\/strong>Tempe, Arizona, USA<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/dario2-300x270.png\")
<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nDr. Juan Marcos Castillo<\/strong>
Professor<\/strong>
Universidad Tecnol\u00f3gica de Panam\u00e1 (UTP)\u00a0<\/strong>
Panama<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/castillo-252x300.png\")
<\/p>\n
\nMr. Cristian Rincon
Associate Professor and Researcher
UNIMINUTO
Colombia<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/minto-245x300.png\")
<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nDr. Miguel Torres Miranda<\/strong>
Director of CITEP, the Center for Innovation in Technology and Electronics of Panama<\/strong>
Panama City, Panama<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/torres-248x300.png\")
<\/p>\n
\nDay 2- August 5, 2026 (Wednesday) – InterContinental Hotel<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Prof. Oscar Le\u00f3n<\/strong>
Founder, President and Chairman of the Board<\/strong>
Quality Leadership University (QLU), Panama<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/oscar-300x281.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nDr. Mariana Leon
Academic Vice President, Researcher, and Professor<\/strong>
Quality Leadership University – University of Louisville Panama<\/strong>
Researcher at Centro de Investigaci\u00f3n Educativa (CIEDU)<\/strong>
Panama<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/mariana-300x294.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/milwaukee2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/maria5.jpg\")
Dr. Maria Auxiliadora Cannarozzo Tinoco
Associate Professor in Industrial Engineering
Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Brazil<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/orlando2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ucf1.png\")
<\/strong><\/h2>\nDr. Waldemar Karwowski<\/strong>
Pegasus Professor and Chairman<\/strong>
Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems<\/strong>
University of Central Florida<\/strong>
Orlando, Florida, USA<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nDr. Elida de Obald\u00eda
<\/strong>Professor, Universidad Tecnol\u00f3gica de Panam\u00e1
<\/strong>Representative of Panama\u2019s Advanced Semiconductor Technology Center (C-TASC)<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/elida2-241x300.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nEnitza George, MD, MBA, MSAI<\/strong>
Physician Executive, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) AI Task Force and co-Chair STFM AI Collaborative. Health Systems Program Ambassador<\/strong>
Binghamton University. Binghamton, New York. USA<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/enitza-297x300.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFernando Gonzalez Aleu, Ph.D. CPEM<\/strong>
Professor and Researcher
Engineering Department<\/strong>
Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM)<\/strong>
Monterrey, NL, Mexico<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/FernandoGzzAleu2-300x282.png\")
<\/p>\n
\nDr. Alfonso Sarmiento<\/strong>
Associate Professor<\/strong>
Industrial Engineering<\/strong>
Faculty of Engineering<\/strong>
University of La Sabana<\/strong>
Ch\u00eda, Colombia<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/alfonso1-226x300.png\")
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\nDay 3- August 6, 2026 (Thursday) – U Latina Learning Villa<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Dr. \u00c1ngela Laguna Caicedo
<\/strong>President
<\/strong>Technological University of Panama (UTP)<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/utp-president-250x300.jpeg\")
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\nDr. Jos\u00e9 Carlos Flores Molina
<\/strong>Director, Quality Institute
<\/strong>Pontificia Universidad Cat\u00f3lica del Per\u00fa (PUCP), Peru<\/strong><\/h2>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/molina-300x292.png\")
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\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/orlando2022\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/rabelo.jpg\")
Dr. Luis Rabelo
Professor<\/strong>
Department of Industrial Engineering & Management Systems<\/strong>
University of Central Florida<\/strong>
Orlando, FL, USA<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nDr. Lindsay Alvarez-Pomar
Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering
Universidad Distrital Francisco Jos\u00e9 de Caldas
Bogot\u00e1, Colombia
<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/lindsay-254x300.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/panama2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/davis2-300x300.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ieomsociety.org\/orlando2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/edgar.png\")
Edgar Gutierrez-Franco, PhD<\/strong>