INFORMS News: People

Arjang A. Assad, dean of the School of Management, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, and Saul I. Gass, professor emeritus, Department of Decision, Operations & Information Technologies, Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, are the editors of a new book, “Profiles in Operations Research.” Part of Springer’s International Series in Operations & Management Science, the book recounts the development of operations research via the profiles of 43 O.R. pioneers and relates how these individuals, with varying backgrounds and diverse interests, were drawn to the O.R. field.

The profiles also describe how O.R. techniques and applications expanded considerably beyond their military origins during the WWII era to find new domains in business and industry today. In addition to their scientific contributions, the profiles capture the life stories of the individuals – interwoven with personal tales, vivid vignettes, family backgrounds and views of the mission and future of O.R. Collectively, the profiles recount the fascinating story of the growth and development of a field enriched by the convergence of different disciplines.

The individuals profiled represent a “Who’s Who of O.R.,” including Philip Morse, John von Neumann, George Dantzig, George Kimball, West Churchman, William Cooper, Russ Ackoff, John D.C. Little, Al Blumstein and many more.