PITTSBURGH (Feb. 3, 2020) — Bopaya Bidanda, PhD, Ernest Roth Professor and Department Chair of Industrial Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering, has been elected president of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE), the largest professional society dedicated to industrial engineering.

“IISE serves those who solve the complex and critical problems of the world, and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to lead our profession and increase our visibility and scope,” says Bidanda. “Industrial engineering is the broadest of all the engineering fields, because it can be applied anywhere. Part of my plan as IISE president is to accelerate the IISE’s strategic initiatives and to help industrial and system engineering become the engineering discipline of choice for high school seniors.”

New officers are elected by IISE professional members and serve for three years, with terms beginning on April 1. Bidanda is one of three seats filled in the annual election; he is joined by Ronald Askin, PhD, (Arizona State University) as senior vice president of publications and Rohan Shirwaiker, PhD, (North Carolina State University) as senior vice president of operations.

In addition to his roles as chair and professor, Bidanda serves as director of the Manufacturing Assistance Center and Center for Industry Studies at Pitt. He has been an IISE Fellow since 2002 and won the IISE’s Albert G. Holzman Distinguished Educator Award in 2013.  Additionally, he was honored with the 2012 John Imhoff Award for Global Excellence in Industrial Engineering given by the American Society for Engineering Education and the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES) 2012 Award for Global Excellence in Engineering Education. In 2006, he served as President of the Council of IE Academic Department Heads (CIEADH).

 “Bopaya’s election as president is a testament to his leadership in the field of industrial engineering,” says James R. Martin, U.S. Steel Dean of Engineering. “I’m proud that our faculty members actively pursue opportunities to advance a vital and evolving field, and inspire the next generation of engineers who will shape our world.”

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About IISE

The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers is the world’s largest professional society dedicated solely to the support of the industrial engineering profession and individuals involved with improving quality and productivity. Founded in 1948, IISE is an international, nonprofit association that provides knowledge, training, networking opportunities and recognition to enhance the skills and effectiveness of its members, customers and the profession. Visit IISE at www.iise.org.

Maggie Pavlick, 2/3/2020

Contact: Maggie Pavlick