Come out and meet the officers of the Operations Research Grad Student Association (ORGSA) and find out how to navigate research and well being as a Ph.D. student in Operations Research. OR Alums and friends are welcome.
https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/93445582296?pwd=FykTWtJLHlZkhaVn6aV4AZrwVmMrF7.1
Meeting ID: 934 4558 2296
Passcode: 051656
Navigating Research and Well Being as a Ph.D. Student in Operations Research
Joshua Grassel earned his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from California Polytechnic State University in 2021. During his undergraduate studies, he completed three internships—two in manufacturing engineering and one in logistics engineering. Josh began his PhD in Industrial Engineering at Arizona State University in Fall 2021 and transferred to the Operations Research PhD program at NC State in Fall 2023. His research under Dr. Escobedo has spanned topics such as the wisdom of crowds and sustainable solid waste management. Currently, he is focusing on optimization algorithms with an interest in numerical precision. Outside of academia, Josh enjoys cooking, playing board games, running, cycling, and exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog.
Warren Kay graduated from the United States Military Academy (USMA) in 2016 with a BS in Chemical Engineering. He has served for 8 years in the U.S. Army as an Engineer Officer. He is in his second year of the MS in OR program. After he graduates in Spring 2025, he will move to West Point, New York, where he will teach in the Math Department at USMA. His research involves school bus route assignments and studying the impact of adjusting high school start times in Wake County. He hopes to use his graduate experience to transition into a career as an Operations Research / Systems Analyst for the Army. Warren enjoys coaching and parenting his three kids alongside his wife, Madison.
Will Kirschenman has served 14 years in the U.S. Army, first as an Engineer and now as an FA49 Officer or ORSA (Operations Research / Systems Analyst). He is in his second year of the OR Ph.D. program and will graduate in Spring 2026. His research involves combinatorial optimization in vessel selection and combat load planning in the military, where multiple levels of priority and group unity must be incorporated. He has a wife and three kids and enjoys fitness, the outdoors, and spending time with his family.
Laura Mora received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. She is currently in her third year of the Operations Research PhD program. Laura’s area of research is in causal inference. Specifically, she seeks to investigate potential negative effects of law enforcement drug seizures on public health and safety. Her advisors are Dr. Maria Mayorga and Dr. Osman Ozaltin. Outside of academia, Laura enjoys watching TV with her cat and dog, reading romance novels, and going to the theatre.
The ORGSA at NC State serves operations research graduate students by fostering communication between students and faculty, establishing and maintaining a sense of identity and community within the OR program, and promoting events, interactions, and programs that enhance the quality of education for students and their outcomes after graduation.
