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Image shows a group shot of Amazon scientists and the SCOT/INFORMS Scholars at a welcome breakfast
This year's SCOT/INFORMS Scholars posed for a group photo along with some SCOT researchers at a welcome breakfast. The scholars were provided an opportunity to connect with SCOT scientists to explore mentorship and networking opportunities.
Operations research and optimization

Amazon SCOT announces 2022 INFORMS Scholars

Program was established to help expand the pipeline of operations research, management science, and analytics talent from underrepresented backgrounds.

By Staff writer
October 28, 2022
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Amazon’s Supply Chain Optimization Technologies (SCOT) organization recently announced the 15 recipients of the SCOT/INFORMS Scholarships (formerly known as the INFORMS Fellows) for undergraduate and graduate students. The scholars represent 13 universities across three countries and are pursuing degrees or possible careers in, among other things, industrial and systems engineering, transportation engineering, civil engineering, and supply chain management.

The program was established in 2021 to help expand the pipeline of operations research, management science, and analytics talent from underrepresented backgrounds. In an effort to ensure inclusivity, these scholars include those who are either already actively engaged in operations research (OR) and management science (MS) studies as well as those who have had little to no training in traditional OR/MS courses, but are considering graduate studies or careers in these fields.

“Amazon is committed to accelerating the careers of young scientists and the SCOT/INFORMS Scholarship is a great example of that commitment," said Garrett van Ryzin, a SCOT distinguished scientist. "Recipients of the scholarship are high-potential undergraduates and graduate students who are invited to attend the INFORMS annual conference. By attending, they gain valuable exposure to exciting developments and the opportunity to network with leading academic and industry professionals. It’s a motivating experience that can really jump start their transition into the field.”

INFORMS 2022 shcolar 1920x1080.png
The 2022 INFORMS/SCOT Scholars are, first row, left to right: Julia Bitencourt, Oriana Calderon, Brenda Cobena, Laya Dudi, Vitor Farias Costa de Carvalho; second row, left to right: Esneyder Rafael González Ponzón, Cristóbal Heredia, Adrian Hernandez, Juan Pablo Morande, and Anh Phuong (Roger) Ngo; and third row, left to right: Swati Padmanabhan, Miguel Peinado-Guerrero, Natalie Randall, Olabiyi Ridwan, and Mary Lizbeth Rojas.

This year's class — comprising undergrad juniors and seniors as well as graduate students — attended the INFORMS 2022 Annual Meeting held Oct. 16-19 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The annual meeting connected more than 6,500 INFORMS members, students, prospective employers and employees, as well as academic and industry experts. Scholars received free conference registration, and stipends to cover hotel accommodations and transportation expenses for those who attended in-person.

“I am extremely thankful to Amazon for this amazing opportunity," said Vitor Farias Costa de Carvalho, one of this year's scholars. "The conference was amazing!"

Scholars were also provided an opportunity to connect with Amazon SCOT scientists to explore mentorship and networking opportunities; offered an opportunity to meet with members of the INFORMS Minority Issues Forum, ambassador graduate students, and INFORMS staff; and invited to attend INFORMS society meetings and university-sponsored receptions as well as plenaries, selected talks/posters, and tutorials.

Below is the list of the 2022 scholars, along with their university and major.

NameSchoolMajor
Julia BitencourtAuburn UniversityIndustrial and systems engineering
Oriana CalderonRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTransportation engineering
Brenda CobenaCirreltStatistics
Laya DudiUniversity of IllinoisBusiness analytics
Vitor Farias Costa de CarvalhoPurdue UniversityIndustrial engineering
Esneyder Rafael González PonzónUniversity at BuffaloIndustrial engineering
Cristóbal HerediaUniversidad Adolfo IbañezData science
Adrian HernandezNorthwestern UniversityCivil engineering
Juan Pablo MorandeAuburn UniversityIndustrial engineering
Anh Phuong (Roger) NgoNorth Carolina A&T State UniversityElectrical and computer engineering
Swati PadmanabhanUniversity of Washington SeattleElectrical and computer engineering
Miguel Peinado-GuerreroArizona State UniversitySystems engineering
Natalie RandallUniversity of IowaApplied mathematical and computational sciences
Olabiyi Ridwan Arizona State UniversityIndustrial engineering
Mary Lizbeth RojasSaint Louis UniversitySupply chain management and logistics
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