Amidst the enthusiasm surrounding NC State’s run to the Final Four, the Graduate School hosted the Graduate Student Research Symposium. Now in its 17th iteration, this annual gathering showcases academic brilliance and innovation, drawing in over 190 graduate students from various disciplines, with five outstanding students from the Operations Research Program (OR).
Maria Mayorga, OR director, shared insights into the benefits that the symposium brings to students. “The symposium allows students to present their work to a large audience from all different backgrounds and provides networking opportunities,” she explained. This unique platform allows students to share their research findings and fosters connections with individuals from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, enriching their educational experience.
Beyond accolades and awards, the symposium serves as a training ground for students to enhance their communication skills. “Students can showcase their talents and practice speaking about their research,” Mayorga noted. In an increasingly interconnected world, effectively communicating one’s research findings to academic and non-academic audiences is a valuable skill students cultivate through participating in the symposium.
Among this year’s symposium participants were five Operations Research students: Gregory Bremser, Victor Faria, Joshua Grassel, Cameron Lisy, and Erik Rosenstrom. Their presence further underscores the breadth and depth of research excellence within OR, showcasing the program’s commitment to nurturing talent across various disciplines.
Gregory Bremser
Gregory Bremser’s research focuses on optimizing scheduling and staffing policies for veterinarian clinics. “I created a simulation model to see how different appointment schedules with different levels of staffing compare to each other,” Gregory explains. His goal is to address the growing demand for animal healthcare amid a shortage of veterinarians, aiming to reduce turnover in the veterinary community while maintaining customer satisfaction. Reflecting on his symposium experience, Gregory enjoyed condensing his research into a concise presentation, honing his ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. He recommends the symposium as an invaluable opportunity to practice presenting research to diverse audiences.
Victor Faria
Victor Faria’s research delves into enhancing energy system capacity planning. “Our research project focuses on enhancing energy systems capacity expansion planning by incorporating the risk of hurricane damage,” Victor explained. Utilizing stochastic programming, they aim to model uncertainties posed by hurricanes to North Carolina’s energy system, aligning with legislative goals for emissions reduction. Victor emphasized, “The goal of our research is to foster a more resilient energy system that can withstand the impacts of hurricanes.” Victor found it inspiring to share his work and receive feedback at the symposium, calling it “an enriching experience.”
Joshua Grassel
Joshua Grassel’s research delves into predicting municipal solid waste (MSW) with precision, aiming to revolutionize waste management practices. “Our approach enables detailed material-level estimates,” he emphasized, “tailored to specific recovery processes.” Grassel aims to equip decision-makers with accurate data to drive sustainable waste management initiatives. Reflecting on the Graduate Research Symposium, Grassel described it as “fun and engaging,” providing a platform to share insights and receive diverse feedback. He appreciates the interdisciplinary exchanges, stating, “The format was well-suited to the semi-formal discussion of research.” Grassel’s work advances scientific understanding and fosters collaboration for a greener future.
Cameron Lisy
Cameron Lisy’s research focuses on the impact of natural gas supply disruptions on the US energy sector during extreme weather events. Collaborating with Dr. Jordan Kern, they develop models to assess the extent and conditions of these risks. “It’s really important that we understand what the risk to [power and natural gas utilities] is,” Cameron emphasized. He found it beneficial to visually present their work at the symposium and refine his explanations for a broader audience. Reflecting on the experience, Cameron noted, “I got multiple opportunities to sharpen our narrative,” highlighting the value of engaging with diverse perspectives and addressing challenging questions.
Erik Rosenstrom
Erik Rosenstrom’s research is collaborative across multiple universities, focusing on supporting public health responses to COVID-19. “Since July 2020, I have been developing/adapting a stochastic agent-based simulation model of COVID-19 spread in North Carolina,” Rosenstrom explained. His research addresses various public health decision-making aspects, including vaccine prioritization and the impact of interventions on different population groups. Rosenstrom emphasized, “The aim of this research project was to directly support public health decision-making for COVID-19.” At the symposium, Rosenstrom enjoyed sharing his work and gaining insights from fellow students and the public, highlighting the event as an opportunity for learning and networking.
