What's Your StORy? Emily Tucker

Name: Emily Tucker

Employer: Clemson University

Job Title: Assistant Professor

INFORMS member since 2015.

I’ve always loved math and making things better. During my freshman year of undergrad, a mentor recommended I check out industrial engineering as a way to combine the two aspects. I’ve been hooked on O.R. ever since!

I was on the fence for a long time! I worked at a research institute for a couple years before my Ph.D., and I always thought I would go back after I finished because I loved the work. It ended up coming down to the question of whether I wanted to develop the next generation of operations researchers or work with folks who were already trained. I love the developmental aspect of being a professor and combined with the flexibility in research topics, it was the right fit. I’m grateful to have had the choice.

It was strange! Thankfully, my research was completed before the effects of the pandemic started to hit; I had already sent the final draft of my dissertation to the committee. It was a hard end though. In the two weeks before my defense, the university closed, and we had to figure out the logistics of defending virtually. Everything felt very up in the air. It all worked out in the end, and I’m grateful to Mark Daskin (my Ph.D. advisor) and the committee for their support.

Three things I’ve found helpful over the years:

1. Finish things. It’s easy to let things sit with loose ends, but a few ideas that are out in the world are better than a bunch that are left in your computer.
2. Read broadly. We can get a little trapped in our niches, and it’s good to explore.
3. Remember context. Your degree doesn’t have to be your life’s work; the goal is to prepare you to do your life’s work.

The hardest was definitely starting my job during the COVID-19 pandemic. The easiest has been starting new projects and building our team. I love research, and it has been fun to have the opportunity and resources to launch this next stage.

Yes! Our research group focuses on resilient social good and tends to develop discrete, stochastic optimization approaches to improve access and equity. I get to work with Martha Sabogal, an outstanding Ph.D. student, on problems related to equity in global pharmaceutical supply chains. In another project, a great M.S. student Anisa Young is partnering with colleagues in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management to improve access to local parks and reduce historic inequities.

I definitely view INFORMS as a community, and I aim to be an active partner in making our field better. I receive so much support from INFORMS members – through informal mentorship, membership in communities, and formally through colloquia and other workshops – that it just makes sense to pitch in where I can. I began volunteering in grad school with OR/MS Tomorrow and has continued, as you note, in a number of other roles. It’s been rewarding and a great opportunity to meet other INFORMS members.

I’m excited for the Annual Meeting in the fall. It was great to see folks in a hybrid format this past year, and I’m hopeful more of us will be able to get together in the next iteration.

A year from now, I hope we’ll be celebrating student milestones – paper acceptances, a couple M.S. defenses and progress. And on my end, perhaps a grant or two.

It tends to depend on the weather! I like to take my kayak out on the lakes around Clemson and go hiking. It’s nice to live near the Blue Ridge Mountains. I’ll also generally see friends, read and work a bit.

I have to admit, I am a donut fan. The local donut shop is spectacular. And if we’re bragging, the owners know me by name. Granted, they think my name is Katie (it is not), but I’ll take it.

I could see a Phil Collins-ABBA collaboration. Maybe with Old Crow Medicine Show as a featured artist. I’d buy that.