Karen Smilowitz

Dr. Smilowitz studies modeling and solution approaches for logistics and transportation systems. She has developed innovative modeling and solution techniques for these complex systems in both commercial and non-profit applications, working with transportation providers, logistics specialists and a range of non-profit organizations. She is currently leading the Northwestern Initiative on Humanitarian and Non-Profit Logistics.

Dr. Smilowitz has worked on several projects in the area of operational improvement in community-based health care. Community-based operations research is the application of decision models to social issues of a local nature. The goal of this field is to design policies and tactics that have the potential to improve individual life outcomes and neighborhood-level outcomes by addressing welfare, equity and administrative efficiency simultaneously.