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Global scholars converge at WWU for BSOMADA 2024: A Deep Dive into Modeling and Data Analytics

WWU hosts the fourth annual Bellingham Symposium on Modeling and Data Analytics (BSOMADA 2024), featuring global experts on the latest advancements in quantitative modeling and data analytics.

Attendees of the BSOMADA 2024 gather outside the Viking Union. CBE Dean, Deanna Kennedy, called it "a great opportunity to hear innovative methods and modeling applications that can elevate the field of data analytics."

From August 12-16, 2024, 30 scholars from around the world have gathered at Western Washington University (WWU) for the fourth annual Bellingham Symposium on Modeling and Data Analytics (BSOMADA 2024), hosted by WWU’s Center for Operations Research and Management Science (CORMS). The event, organized by Dr. George Zhang of WWU's College of Business and Economics (CBE), includes a keynote address, a featured talk, and 22 research presentations focused on the latest developments in quantitative modeling and data analytics. The BSOMADA research symposium is being held on the WWU campus in the Viking Union (VU 462 A and B).

Dr. Peter Glynn, the Thomas Ford Professor in the Department of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University, delivered the keynote address, discussing the use of quantitative methods in management science to support efforts to promote sustainability. In particular, he spoke about ways to optimize the use of electricity in an era of climate change. Dr. Haitao Li, Professor and Chair of the Supply Chain & Analytics Department at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, presented the featured talk, exploring how advances in information technology are transforming business paradigms in supply chain management.

CBE Dean, Dr. Deanna Kennedy, said, “BSOMADA was a great opportunity to hear innovative methods and modeling applications that can elevate the field. The symposium provides a venue to share data analytics insights, discuss challenges, and connect with new colleagues.”

In addition, the symposium provides an effective way for CBE faculty members to build productive research relationships with scholars from other institutions and nations. According to Dr. Craig Tyran, Department Chair and Professor in CBE’s Department of Decision Sciences, “Hosting a symposium of this nature and international scope reflects well on the high level of research activity and collaborations happening within Western’s College of Business and Economics.”

For CBE students, the symposium provides a way for them to see how the knowledge and skills they gain in their classes translates to real-world applications, with some research collaborations leading to study-abroad opportunities.

For more information, visit the BSOMADA 2024 website or contact the Director of CORMS, Dr. George Zhang at zhangg@wwu.edu.