A bright screen or slide fills the frame at the beginning of the video. The scene appears to introduce a presentation or digital display before the montage shifts to people and classroom settings. A person sits or leans at a workstation near a screen showing a page with images and text. The scene suggests computer-based work, review, or discussion of information on screen. A close-up of a screen shows a dark image with bright lines or markings across it. The scene emphasizes data visualization or a technical display. A woman stands in front of a projected slide or screen while speaking. The scene highlights classroom-style presentation and instruction. Two people sit together in conversation in what appears to be an office, meeting room, or classroom setting. The scene emphasizes discussion and one-on-one exchange. A person stands near a wall or screen while speaking to another person in a bright indoor space. The scene suggests advising, explanation, or collaborative discussion. Two or more people stand together and talk in a room with a bright background. The scene emphasizes small-group conversation and interaction. A close-up shows a computer screen with a vertical list or table containing many rows. The scene focuses on digital information, data, or structured content on screen. A classroom view shows several students seated at tables while facing the front of the room. The scene emphasizes a seminar or lecture environment. A wider classroom shot shows people seated and working while someone stands near the front. The scene highlights group learning and discussion in an academic setting. A screen displays a graph with multiple bars while a presenter points toward it. The scene emphasizes quantitative analysis and visual explanation of results. A close-up shows a bar chart or similar plotted graphic on a screen while a person gestures nearby. The scene continues the focus on presenting data visually. A screen shows a dark background with bright blue or purple lines and shapes. The scene appears to present another technical or analytical visualization. A speaker stands in front of a projected image while addressing an audience. The final scene returns to live presentation and classroom communication.

Empowering Society With Better Decision-Making

Through mathematical modeling we develop essential decision-making tools for a wide range of industries. Whether devising more effective transportation systems, improving healthcare outcomes, or streamlining business operations, we play a crucial role in shaping our world for the better.

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News Highlights

  • William L. Maxwell ’57, Ph.D. ’61

    William Maxwell, computer simulation pioneer, dies at 91

    William L. Maxwell ’57, Ph.D. ’61, the Andrew Schultz Jr. Professor Emeritus of Industrial Engineering and a pioneer in the field of simulation and scheduling, died March 31 in Indiana, Pennsylvania. He was 91.

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    Pender wins 2026-2027 Claytor-Gilmer Fellowship

    Jamol Pender has been awarded the 2026-2027 Claytor-Gilmer Fellowship by the American Mathematical Society (AMS). Pender, who has been at Cornell since 2015, is an associate professor and director of graduate studies in the School of Operations Research and Information Engineering.

  • Illustration of a section of computer chip with one segment of the chip showing a schematic diagram of a human brain.

    New elective connects AI to its operations research roots 

    Beginning this academic year, the school is launching a new focused elective – Data, Decisions and AI – that brings together courses in machine learning, reinforcement learning, data mining, causal inference and ethics, while explicitly connecting them to the core principles of operations research.

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    ‘Outstanding researcher, administrator, teacher’ Jim Renegar retires 

    Jim Renegar, the Class of 1912 Professor of Engineering Emeritus, has retired. Renegar has been on the faculty since 1987 and served as director from 2004 to 2009. At a celebration of Renegar’s career, David Williamson, director of the School of Operations Research and Information Engineering read a tribute.

Upcoming Events

Alumni Profiles

  • Sean Sinclair

    Math with a purpose – using probability and statistics for the greater good

    Updated on December 3, 2024: Sean Sinclair earned his Ph.D. in Operations Research from Cornell in 2023. He is now an assistant professor of industrial engineering and management sciences in the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University in…

  • Irene Poh

    M.Eng. alum asks “What can I learn next?”

    Operations Research and Information Engineering M.Eng. alum Irene Poh ’01 M.Eng. ’02 believes that one key to a successful and satisfying career is to avoid defining your job as simply what you do. “It’s so much better to always ask…

  • Jamie Hintlian ORIE alumni

    All roads seem to lead Jamie Hintlian back to Cornell

    “Originally, I was thinking I might major in mechanical engineering, but then I saw how OR involved applying math, which had a lot of appeal. And I learned about modeling and simulations and game theory from Professor David Heath and it all resonated with me deeply,” Hintlian said. He declared his major and never looked back.

  • Radhika Kulkarni

    A life and a career spent finding the right solutions

    “The kindness of Cornell has made a real difference in my life,” Kulkarni said. “They were willing to waive the application fee and then when I switched departments, Mathematics was willing to fund my second year, even though by then I was in OR. And then they made it possible for me to complete the final year of my doctoral program after I had moved to Georgia with my husband.”