Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast

This week on ExpertISE — Javier Masini, industrial engineer with Value Management Strategies Inc. and an IISE instructor, answers the following question: "Are there any common misconceptions or pitfalls in the field that you’ve observed professionals should be wary of?"

In this week's "ExpertISE," author, certified Lean Six Sigma master black belt, and continuous improvement expert Tina Agustiady answers: "How do you handle resistance or pushback when implementing new systems or changes?" You can find this episode as well as full episodes of "Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast" anytime at podcast.iise.org or wherever you download your favorite podcasts.

Welcome to our new weekly spotlight, "ExpertISE," which welcomes voices of experience from the field of industrial and systems engineering to answer questions about professional work, careers, academia, and other sectors. In our premiere episode of "ExpertISE," we welcome Barrett Caldwell, Ph.D., a professor of industrial engineering and aeronautics and astronautics at Purdue University as well as a Fellow of IISE. Dr. Caldwell gives his thoughts on the following question: "How have international collaborations or perspectives influenced or enriched your ISE projects?" You'll find more "ExpertISE" episodes in the near future as well as our regular "Problem Solved" episodes.

Patrick Sugar is executive vice president of operations for Saia LTL Freight, a 100-year-old shipping and logistics company, and an industrial engineering graduate from Georgia Tech. He recently talked with IISE staff during a tour of Saia headquarters in Johns Creek, Georgia. In the interview, he discusses the company’s embrace of technology, its focus on sustainable practices and worker safety, and the key traits he seeks in young industrial engineers. He also stresses how sticking to a set of core beliefs helped Saia navigate major disruptions in recent years.

Rashawnda Williams with General Motors spoke with “Problem Solved” during the Applied Ergonomics Conference 2024, which took place March 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Bryan Ramirez with Edwards Lifesciences spoke with “Problem Solved” during the Applied Ergonomics Conference 2024, which took place March 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Jennie Ulrich of Boeing Corporate spoke with “Problem Solved” during the Applied Ergonomics Conference 2024, which took place March 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Marty Smets, Technical Expert, Corporate & UAW Ergonomics at Ford Motor Co., spoke with “Problem Solved” during the Applied Ergonomics Conference 2024, which took place March 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky. Smets was one of the #AppliedErgo2024 keynote speakers.

Dr. L. Casey Chosewood, director of the Office for Total Worker Health® at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), spoke with “Problem Solved” during the Applied Ergonomics Conference 2024, which took place March 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Chosewood was one of the #AppliedErgo2024 keynote speakers.

Tristen Aldridge with Honda Development and Manufacturing of America, spoke with “Problem Solved” during the Applied Ergonomics Conference 2024, which took place March 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Marie Louis-Jeune from Memorial Regional Hospital spoke with “Problem Solved” during the Healthcare Systems Process Improvement Conference 2024, which took place Feb. 13-15 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia. We spoke with several conference attendees, many of whom were first-timers to the event, and learned about the insights and joys they took away from their conference experience. Make plans now to attend #HSPI2025 in Atlanta! You can learn more about this event at iise.org/HSPI.

Annajirao Challa from Binghamton University spoke with “Problem Solved” during the Healthcare Systems Process Improvement Conference 2024, which took place Feb. 13-15 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia. We spoke with several conference attendees, many of whom were first-timers to the event, and learned about the insights and joys they took away from their conference experience. Make plans now to attend #HSPI2025 in Atlanta! You can learn more about this event at iise.org/HSPI.

Amanda Curry from Jackson Health System and the University of Miami spoke with “Problem Solved” during the Healthcare Systems Process Improvement Conference 2024, which took place Feb. 13-15 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia. We spoke with several conference attendees, many of whom were first-timers to the event, and learned about the insights and joys they took away from their conference experience. Make plans now to attend #HSPI2025 in Atlanta! You can learn more about this event at iise.org/HSPI.

Lawrence McNair with Birmingham Veterans Affairs Healthcare System spoke with “Problem Solved” during the Healthcare Systems Process Improvement Conference 2024, which took place Feb. 13-15 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia. We spoke with several conference attendees, many of whom were first-timers to the event, and learned about the insights and joys they took away from their conference experience. Make plans now to attend #HSPI2025 in Atlanta! You can learn more about this event at iise.org/HSPI.

Anita Leis from Tomah VAMC spoke with “Problem Solved” during the Healthcare Systems Process Improvement Conference 2024, which took place Feb. 13-15 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia. We spoke with several conference attendees, many of whom were first-timers to the event, and learned about the insights and joys they took away from their conference experience. Make plans now to attend #HSPI2025 in Atlanta! You can learn more about this event at iise.org/HSPI.

Yvonne Nguyen from Children's Health spoke with “Problem Solved" during the Healthcare Systems Process Improvement Conference 2024, which took place Feb. 13-15 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia. We spoke with several conference attendees, many of whom were first-timers to the event, and learned about the insights and joys they took away from their conference experience. Make plans now to attend #HSPI2025 in Atlanta! You can learn more about this event at iise.org/HSPI.

We’ve got a special episode of "Problem Solved" directly from the official conference kickoff at the Healthcare Systems Process Improvement Conference 2024, taking place Feb. 13-15 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia. This episode features a recording of an on-stage Q&A with Emory Healthcare’s Victoria Jordan and Advocate Health’s Amanda Mewborn. Jordan is also the president-elect of IISE and Mewborn is its immediate past president. Ali Anderson from The Shepherd Center moderated the Q&A in which they discuss how they got involved with the conference, their passion for improving healthcare, and what new attendees can do and learn from their own conference experience. Learn more about this conference at: iise.org/HSPI

It's been one year since the public release of ChatGPT, the remarkable generative AI platform from OpenAI that has energized transformative promise (and controversy) in the tech sector. In this bonus episode of "Problem Solved," we talk with Joe Wilck, Ph.D., PE, from Bucknell University, who has been working with colleagues on research about the capabilities of large language models (LLM) like ChatGPT, Google's Bard and others. We ask him about the new place in society and work that ChatGPT has seemingly carved out for itself, the ethical debate surrounding the use of LLMs and chatbots in academia, and just what this innovation means for industrial and systems engineers. Joe also welcomes questions you may have about ChatGPT and other generative AI tools. You can reach out to him at joe.wilck@gmail.com. Remember to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode. Your feedback helps us grow and continue bringing you fascinating content!

SPONSORED BY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION. Holden Duffie, Clemson University, spoke with IISE’s Frank Reddy at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans – site of #IISEAnnual2023. Duffie discussed what he’s enjoyed so far about the conference as well as talking about his poster presentation. Learn more about our sponsor at: https://sps.columbia.edu/iise

SPONSORED BY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION. Emily Jacobson, Mercer University, spoke with IISE’s Frank Reddy at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans – site of #IISEAnnual2023. Jacobson talked about her poster presentation, which involved using virtual reality to create a rock-climbing experience for individuals with disabilities. Learn more about our sponsor at: https://sps.columbia.edu/iise