Join the Operations Research Graduate Student Association (ORGSA) as they discuss current topics of interest to new and current students, including how to prepare for your upcoming qualifying exam. All OR alumni and friends are welcome.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/99989048564?pwd=p24TVn1pdVDUBJCvPfWKOCsDcyRblQ.1

Meeting ID: 999 8904 8564
Passcode: 638150

Panelist Biographies

Will Kirschenman
Will Kirschenman has served 15 years in the U.S. Army, first as an Engineer and now as an Operations Research / Systems Analyst (FA49). He is in his final year of the Operations Research (OR) Ph.D. program and will subsequently join the OR department faculty at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. His research focuses on multi-level prioritized packing for both general and military applications, developing efficient metaheuristic and matheuristic algorithms to solve these problems. He and his wife have three children and enjoy fitness, the outdoors, and spending time together as a family.

Cameron Lisy
Cameron is a 6th year PhD student in Operations Research whose research and career interests include fossil fuel market dynamics and how they impact the cost and reliability of the power grid.

Andrew Shaeffer
Andrew Shaeffer is 23 years old from Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from the US Air Force Academy with a Bachelors of Science in Operations Research at US Air Force Academy in 2024. Additionally, he graduated with a Masters of Science in Operations Research at NC State in December 2025. He was then assigned at JB Langley-Eustis in Hampton, VA where he worked as an Operations Research Analyst providing support to Air Combat Command. His thesis involves using Simulation to Optimize Batting Lineups in Major League Baseball. His hobbies include running, playing sports, watching sports, lifting, movies, trivia, and painting.

Elizabeth Harris
Elizabeth Harris is a third year Ph.D. student in Operations Research. She has a bachelors of science in Mathematics and Chemistry from Furman University. Elizabeth is working with Dr. Rachunok and her research interests are developing, however she’s currently looking into the interactions between power and cell outages after natural disasters. Outside of school Elizabeth enjoys singing and is even in an a capella group at NC State!