Willow Yang

Dedicated to bridging the gap between academic research and industry challenges, Dr. Yang specializes in operations and supply chain optimization, helping organizations develop innovative, data-driven approaches to procurement, inventory management, demand forecasting, distribution network design, and facility locations. She holds a patent in a physical resource optimization system and a provisional patent in a hospital procurement cost reduction system. Before transitioning to academia, Dr. Yang worked in the high-tech industry, leading initiatives in marketing, business development, and consulting at Microsoft, HP, and IDC. This extensive industry background informs her research and teaching with a crucial practical perspective and an emphasis on real-world relevance. Dr. Yang received her Ph.D. in Supply Chain & Analytics with a minor in Marketing from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. She also holds an M.B.A. and a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science & Applications. She collaborates closely with industry, actively publishes research, and serves as a reviewer for several prestigious academic journals.