INFORMS President's Award

2023 Winner(s)

Sheldon H. Jacobson, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The 2023 INFORMS President’s Award is awarded to Professor Sheldon H. Jacobson for advancing the field of operations research through his research that has influenced national policy, his influential role in communicating his research contributions to the public, and for his exceptional service to INFORMS and the broader operations research community.
Jacobson is a Founder Professor of Computer Science, director of the Simulation and Optimization Laboratory, and founding director of both the Bed Time Research Institute and Institute of Computational Redistricting at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research record is outstanding and extensive, spanning several methodology and application areas. His methodological research focuses on discrete-event simulation optimization and decision-making under uncertainty, and his applied research contributions focus on homeland security, healthcare, and public health. He has made several seminal research contributions, all focusing on applying operations research to address societal problems of national interest. His research has been widely recognized by his peers, and he has briefed government policymakers on his research findings.
Professor Jacobson’s service to the profession of operations research spans multiple directions. Notable service contributions include serving as a program director at the National Science Foundation (2012-2014) and serving on National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine committees. Professor Jacobson is a thought leader who has communicated his research findings to numerous stakeholders and the general public. He has leveraged his research to bring media attention to important scientific issues, where he has showcased the application of operations research to issues of national concern.
Professor Jacobson has served in numerous roles within INFORMS for more than three decades. He served as the general chair of the 2022 INFORMS Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, the first fully in-person meeting after the COVID-19 pandemic, that introduced a new format with events and workshops to provide additional options for learning. He served as treasurer on the INFORMS Board of Directors (2015-2016) and served on numerous committees. Additionally, he has been a devoted mentor to many members of the operations research community. INFORMS is extremely grateful to Professor Jacobson for his contributions to the profession of operations research through his service, and the impact that he has had in “making the world a better place.”
Professor Jacobson’s research and service efforts will have a lasting impact on future generations of operations research professionals. It gives me immense pleasure to bestow this year’s President’s Award on Professor Sheldon Jacobson.

Purpose of the Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize, and thereby encourage, important contributions to the welfare of society by members of our profession at the local, national, or global level. Achievements suitable for this recognition may be in technical or scientific education or in paid or voluntary consulting or management (commercial, academic, governmental, or nonprofit). The accomplishments honored need not have been documented by personal execution of formal or informal OR/MS studies but could have been reflected in support or promotion of OR/MS efforts. The award is given each year at the National meeting if there is a suitable recipient. The award is a framed certificate with a brief citation.

Award Information

The purpose of this award is to recognize, and thereby encourage, important contributions to the welfare of society by members of our profession at the local, national, or global level.

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