For decades of groundbreaking research in stochastic systems and a career-long commitment to mentoring the next generation of OR/MS scholars
BALTIMORE, Oct. 7, 2026 – INFORMS, the leading international association for operations research and analytics professionals, has named Ruth J. Williams, a Distinguished Professor of the Graduate Division and a Distinguished Professor of Mathematics Emerita at the University of California, San Diego, as the recipient of the 2026 INFORMS President’s Award.
The President’s Award, one of INFORMS’ most prestigious honors, recognizes important contributions to the welfare of society by members of the OR/MS profession at the local, national or global level.
Williams has enriched the OR/MS community through research with far-reaching applications, distinguished professional service and a career-long commitment to developing and supporting future generations of scholars.
An internationally recognized leader in stochastic systems, Williams has contributed to the advancement of the fields of operations research, applied probability and the mathematical sciences through her numerous achievements, leadership, mentorship, and service. Additionally, her work has extended the reach and impact of operations research into a variety of fields, including telecommunications, manufacturing, and biology.
Williams' contributions extend beyond research. She has held numerous leadership and service roles across the mathematical sciences, including serving as president of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, while maintaining a longstanding commitment to mentoring and advancing opportunities for future generations of scholars.
"Ruth Williams has spent a career proving that rigorous mathematics and real-world impact are not separate pursuits," said Mark Lewis, INFORMS President. "Her contributions to stochastic systems have given researchers across disciplines new tools for understanding complexity. But what sets her apart is how generously she has shared that knowledge — as a mentor, an advocate and a role model for the scholars who will define the next era of our field. This award recognizes not just an exceptional career, but the extraordinary community she has helped build around it."
Williams has had a profound influence through mentorship and advocacy, inspiring and supporting countless students, postdoctoral scholars and faculty, particularly women pursuing careers in mathematics, probability and operations research.
Her achievements have been recognized through her election to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as her election as a Corresponding Member of the Australian Academy of Science. She is a Fellow of INFORMS, SIAM, the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, the American Mathematical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Her honors include the INFORMS John von Neumann Theory Prize, the 2017 INFORMS Award for the Advancement of Women in Operations Research and the Management Sciences and honorary doctorates from the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University.
About INFORMS
INFORMS is the world’s largest association for professionals and students in operations research, AI, analytics, data science and related disciplines, serving as a global authority in advancing cutting-edge practices and fostering an interdisciplinary community of innovation. With a network of more than 12,000 members spanning academia, industry and government, INFORMS connects thought leaders, experts and emerging professionals who advance and apply AI, mathematics, analytics and other sciences and technologies to solve complex challenges and drive impactful decision-making.
Through its prestigious peer-reviewed journals, world-class conferences, industry-leading certification programs and a suite of professional resources, INFORMS empowers its community to enhance operational efficiency, elevate organizational performance and promote smarter decisions for a better world.
Discover more at www.informs.org.
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