Gina Galindo

Title

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Associate Professor, Universidad del Norte, Colombia

Education

  • Ph.D., Industrial and Systems Engineering, SUNY at Buffalo, 2013
  • M.S., Industrial Engineering, Universidad del Norte, Colombia, 2008
  • B.S., Industrial Engineering, Universidad del Norte, Colombia, 2006

Professional Experience

  • Department Chair, Industrial Engineering, Universidad del Norte, 2022-Present
  • Associate Professor, Industrial Engineering, Universidad del Norte, 2021-Present
  • Assistant Professor, Industrial Engineering, Universidad del Norte, 2013-2021

Selected INFORMS and Related Activities (Member since 2008)

  • INFORMS SOLA Board At-Large Member, 2024-2025
  • INFORMS Mentor, 2024-Present
  • Session chair, INFORMS Annual Meeting, 2024
  • Speaker for INFORMS MIF Summer Research Series: AI/ML Talks, 2022
  • Session chair, INFORMS Annual Meeting, 2022
  • Session chair, INFORMS International Meeting, 2016
  • Session chair, INFORMS Annual Meeting, 2016
  • Mention of honor, INFORMS SOLA-Air Biennial Products Dissertation Award, 2013

Selected Professional Honors and Awards

  • Review editor, Socio-Economic Planning Sciences journal, 2025-Present
  • President of the Latin American and the Caribbean chapter of the Production and Operations Management Society, 2024-Present
  • Associate editor, Socio-Economic Planning Sciences journal, 2022-2024
  • First place, MOPTA-AIMMS Modelling Competition, 2012
  • Fulbright Scholarship grantee, 2008-2011

Selected National Service Activities

  • Coordinator of the Industrial Engineering Caribbean Node, Colombian Association of Engineering, 2022-Present

Selected Publications

More details here: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=5bpTuMgAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao)

My research blends probabilistic modeling, optimization, and data analytics to support decision-making in complex, real-world contexts. My research experience has been mainly focused on high-impact applications of operations research in humanitarian logistics, disaster operations, and supply chain management.

Candidate Statement

As Vice President - International Activities, I would focus on three main aspects: (1) fostering inclusive global engagement; (2) supporting the application of OR/MS to address global challenges such as sustainability, inequality, and humanitarian response, while promoting South-South and South-North collaboration; and (3) building strong partnerships with international societies and creating tailored content for diverse audiences.

Being based in Colombia has given me firsthand understanding of the needs, challenges, and valuable contributions derived from OR/MS research in developing countries, and how these connect to and enrich the broader INFORMS community. This perspective allows me to recognize the importance of inclusive, context-sensitive approaches in OR/MS. Regions like Latin America and other emerging economies face unique challenges that differ significantly from those in the U.S. context. These include limited resources, informal economies, and infrastructure gaps. By highlighting these distinct settings and showcasing how researchers are addressing them, I aim to bring greater diversity and richness to INFORMS’ discussions and initiatives, ultimately strengthening its global impact and relevance.

I have also developed strong professional connections with researchers in North America and Europe, as well as in other emerging regions, which has broadened my view of the diverse ways OR/MS is applied around the world. I aim to strengthen INFORMS’ ties with international communities by identifying regional needs and opportunities and bringing them to the attention of the INFORMS community to encourage action, learning, and collaboration.

My experience in international associations, including serving as president of the POMS LAC Chapter and as an at-large board member of INFORMS-SOLA, has equipped me with valuable insights into fostering global collaboration. Additionally, I have actively contributed to organizing significant international events, such as the First Connections to Sustain Science in Latin America Symposium and the POMS Conference for the LAC Chapter in 2024. These roles have allowed me to build strong relationships with OR/MS researchers and gain a comprehensive understanding of the varied challenges and opportunities across regions worldwide.

If elected, I would work to strengthen partnerships with societies such as IFORS, fostering cross-regional collaboration and developing webinars, workshops, and case studies tailored for diverse international audiences. These initiatives would also highlight sustainability-focused research and applications, encouraging the adoption of OR/MS methods to solve pressing environmental and societal problems.

To promote inclusion, I would support initiatives that amplify voices from historically underrepresented regions, creating pathways for their participation in INFORMS activities. This would include outreach to encourage membership, developing targeted programs to address specific regional needs, and promoting success stories from these regions to inspire others.

As Vice President - International Activities, I would contribute to advancing INFORMS’ strategic goals by promoting global engagement and collaboration, with a particular emphasis on decision-making, sustainability, and operational excellence. I would promote initiatives that demonstrate how OR/MS can address global challenges, including climate change, resource optimization, and sustainable supply chains – showcasing the power of data-driven solutions to build a more resilient and sustainable world.

I have extensive experience working on problems with significant community impact, including projects in humanitarian logistics and the socioeconomic integration of immigrants. These efforts have given me valuable insight into addressing critical challenges that resonate not only regionally but also globally. This experience has familiarized me with the pressing needs associated with current worldwide problems, such as inequality and migration, and how OR/MS can provide impactful solutions.

I would seek to inspire researchers to engage in these important directions while also learning from others about innovative ways OR/MS can help address inequality and other global challenges. Fostering such exchanges is, in my view, essential to expanding the scope and relevance of INFORMS’ international mission.

For more information, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-galindo-pacheco-b1122b18/