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2023 SCOT INFORMS scholarship recipients announced

Program is aimed at expanding participation in operations research, management science, and analytics research for those from underrepresented backgrounds.

By Staff writer
October 13, 2023
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In 2021, Amazon’s Supply Chain Optimization Technologies (SCOT) organization announced the establishment of the SCOT/INFORMS scholarships program to help expand the pipeline of operations research, management science, and analytics talent from underrepresented backgrounds.

Today Amazon SCOT is announcing the newest INFORMS cohort. This year’s class comprises 15 recipients who are pursuing degrees or possible careers in industrial and systems engineering, systems science, statistics and operations research, supply chain analytics, transportation supply chain management, civil engineering, and computer science.

“I am profoundly grateful to the Amazon SCOT science team for the support to attend and participate in the INFORMS annual meeting,” said Vivian Nwadiaru, a PhD candidate at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. “As a beneficiary of the program, I get to have access to mentors and resources within the Amazon Science team, which to me is a rare and delightful networking opportunity.”

To ensure inclusivity, the recipients 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.

"Being able to attend INFORMS is a tremendous opportunity,” noted Ryan Rodriguez, an undergrad at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “I am very grateful to have the chance to attend high-impact sessions on research I am interested in, network with peers, and explore exciting potential collaborations with those in similar fields. This scholarship has accelerated my path towards a PhD.”

Members of this year's class — comprising undergrad juniors and seniors as well as graduate students — receive free conference registration and stipends to cover hotel accommodations and transportation expenses for those who attend in person.

"I'm thrilled for the chance to attend INFORMS through the Amazon SCOT scholarship,” said Ayesha Farooq, a graduate student at Kansas State University. “It's a fantastic opportunity to learn, network, and contribute."

This year’s cohort will also be provided opportunities to connect with Amazon SCOT scientists to explore mentorship and networking opportunities; to meet with members of the INFORMS Minority Issues Forum, ambassador graduate students, and INFORMS staff; and to attend INFORMS society meetings and university-sponsored receptions, as well as plenaries, selected talks/posters, and tutorials.

2023 SCOT INFORMS recipients: Fernando Acosta-Perez, Adeola Adegbemijo, Nathan Adeyemi, Grace Babalola, Ayesha Farooq, Henry Ivuawuogu, Caroline Johnston, Jiayue-Sylvia Li, Ogechi Vivian Nwadiaru, Paula Penagos, Anastasia Rivera, Ryan Rodriguez, Austin Iglesias Saragih, Jessica Shi, and Morgan Wood
Top row, left to right, Fernando Acosta-Perez, Adeola Adegbemijo, Nathan Adeyemi, Grace Babalola, Ayesha Farooq; second row, left to right, Henry Ivuawuogu, Caroline Johnston, Jiayue-Sylvia Li, Ogechi Vivian Nwadiaru, Paula Penagos; bottom row, left to right, Anastasia Rivera, Ryan Rodriguez, Austin Iglesias Saragih, Jessica Shi, and Morgan Wood.

Below is the list of the 2023 recipients, along with their universities and majors.

Fernando Acosta-PerezUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonIndustrial and systems engineering
Adeola AdegbemijoBinghamton UniversitySystems science and industrial engineering
Nathan AdeyemiNortheastern UniversityIndustrial engineering
Grace BabalolaBinghamton UniversityIndustrial and systems engineering
Ayesha FarooqKansas State UniversityIndustrial engineering
Henry IvuawuoguNorth Carolina Agricultural and Technical State UniversityIndustrial and systems engineering
Caroline JohnstonUniversity of Southern CaliforniaIndustrial and systems engineering
Jiayue-Sylvia LiUniversity of California, BerkeleyIndustrial engineering and operations research
Ogechi Vivian NwadiaruUniversity of Massachusetts, AmherstIndustrial engineering and operations research
Paula PenagosUniversity of Missouri-St. LouisSupply chain and analytics
Anastasia RiveraHuston-Tillotson UniversityComputer science
Ryan RodriguezGeorgia Institute of TechnologyIndustrial engineering
Austin Iglesias SaragihMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyTransportation–supply chain management
Jessica ShiColumbia UniversityOperations research
Morgan WoodUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillStatistics and operations research
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