Big data, smart decisions
A surgeon determining the best incision point for draining an infected abdomen. A NASA scientist testing the spaceworthiness of a 3D printing system. Engineers developing a system to refine varied recycled waste products into high-quality materials.
Professionals often must make decisions with incomplete data. Chao Wang, associate professor of industrial and systems engineering, focuses his research on using “big data” — large collections of information that reveal patterns — to create more certainty around these decisions.
“To create ‘smart’ systems, we use mathematical tools to transform raw data into knowledge that can save time and money while improving operational efficiency,” explained Wang, who joined the College of Engineering in 2019.
Wang’s research focuses on quantifying patterns across different systems and using that information to accurately predict outcomes in related but untested scenarios. For example, by analyzing thousands of similar surgical procedures, his methods could help doctors predict the best approach for a new patient with unique characteristics.
Possible applications of Wang’s collaborative research vary widely, from coordinating multi-robot systems in advanced manufacturing operations to assisting climate scientists in modeling environmental changes.