Yuehwern Yih

Yuehwern Yih is a distinguished professor of Industrial Engineering at Purdue University, where she has made significant contributions to the field through her research and leadership roles. She serves as the Academic Director of the LASER PULSE Consortium, a position that underscores her commitment to advancing global development through research and innovation. Additionally, she is the Associate Director of the Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering, where she plays a pivotal role in integrating engineering principles into healthcare systems to improve efficiency and patient outcomes. Professor Yih is a recognized fellow of the Institute for Industrial & Systems Engineers (IISE), an honor that reflects her outstanding contributions to the discipline. Her leadership skills are further highlighted by her involvement with the Executive Leadership in Academic Technology and Engineering (ELATE), where she engages with initiatives aimed at enhancing academic leadership in engineering and technology. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Faculty Entrepreneurial Fellowship, which celebrates her innovative approach to academia and industry collaboration. She has also been a keynote speaker at prominent events such as the Future Finance and Healthcare Hackathon, where she shares her insights on the intersection of technology, finance, and healthcare. One of Professor Yih's notable projects involves the development of integrated systems for nutrition and food distribution for HIV patients in Western Kenya. This work exemplifies her dedication to applying engineering solutions to real-world problems, particularly in the context of global health challenges. At Purdue, she directs the Smart Systems and Operations Laboratory, where her research focuses on healthcare systems re-engineering, machine learning, and process modeling. Her work in these areas aims to enhance system efficiency and effectiveness through innovative design and behavior-based dynamic control. Professor Yih's expertise in process/system modeling and control of complex systems has positioned her as a leader in her field. Her research not only advances theoretical understanding but also has practical implications for improving healthcare delivery and other complex systems.