{"id":4337,"date":"2023-02-16T15:22:37","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T15:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/meetings2-2\/?page_id=4337"},"modified":"2025-11-26T15:15:42","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T15:15:42","slug":"keynotes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/","title":{"rendered":"Keynotes"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-4337\" data-postid=\"4337\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-4337 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n                    <div  data-anchor=\"nanaware\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_has_section tb_section-nanaware tb_ece57fc tb_first tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_d7724ef first\">\n                    <!-- module fancy heading -->\n<div  class=\"module module-fancy-heading tb_vt2g453 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <h2 class=\"fancy-heading tf_textc\">\n    <span class=\"main-head tf_block\">\n                    2025 WSC Opening Keynote            <\/span>\n\n    \n    <span class=\"sub-head tf_block tf_rel\">\n                                <\/span>\n    <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module fancy heading -->\n        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_b704763\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-1 tb_5c16983 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_vttl449 image-center   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"282\" height=\"390\" src=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/10\/Ganesh-Nanaware.png\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-11417\" title=\"Ganesh Nanaware\" alt=\"Ganesh Nanaware will speak at 2025 WSC\" srcset=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/10\/Ganesh-Nanaware.png 282w, https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/10\/Ganesh-Nanaware-217x300.png 217w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 282px) 100vw, 282px\" \/>    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    Ganesh Nanaware                            <\/h3>\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            Senior Manager, Simulation Research, AI, and Data Science<br>\nAmazon<br>\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-2 tb_cfc992b last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_v10o60   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><em><strong>Model. Simulate. Innovate: Driving Amazon&#8217;s Fulfillment Design Through Simulation<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"xmsonormal\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.0pt;color: black\">This <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt\">talk<span style=\"color: black\"> will explores how simulation serves as the digital backbone enabling innovation across Amazon\u2019s fulfillment design and operations. We will discuss the mission of the simulation organization to virtually experiment, validate, and optimize complex fulfillment concepts before they are physically realized. As automation complexity grows, traditional design approaches face critical challenges in predicting system interactions, throughput impacts, and operational resilience. Simulation bridges this gap by offering a controlled yet high-fidelity environment to model, test, and refine designs at scale.. The talk will walk through a range of real-world applications of simulation across the end-to-end fulfillment ecosystem spanning site-level process design, automation system validation, network and traffic flow planning, and real-time digital twin development. We will highlight how simulation-driven insights are informing key design decisions, driving process innovation, and accelerating strategic initiatives across diverse site types and automation technologies.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"xmsonormal\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 10.0pt;color: black\">Finally, we will reflect on the challenges and future vision for simulation to advance toward intelligent, adaptive models that mirror real-world operations in real time. Through this journey, we will see how simulation is not merely a design tool but a strategic enabler to innovate faster, smarter, and virtually, to build the fulfillment network of the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module accordion -->\n<div  class=\"module module-accordion tb_bgo9494 \" data-behavior=\"toggle\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <ul class=\"ui module-accordion   blue\">\n            <li>\n            <div class=\"accordion-title tf_rel\">\n                <a href=\"#acc-bgo9494-0\" class=\"tb_title_accordion\" aria-controls=\"acc-bgo9494-0-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                    <i class=\"accordion-icon\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-plus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    <i class=\"accordion-active-icon tf_hide\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-minus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    Bio                <\/a>\n            <\/div><!-- .accordion-title -->\n            <div id=\"acc-bgo9494-0-content\" data-id=\"acc-bgo9494-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"accordion-content tf_hide tf_clearfix\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tb_4oxx563\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column tb_f6yg563 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_93uz563   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong>Ganesh Nanaware<\/strong> is a Senior Manager of Simulation Research, AI, and Data Science within Amazon&#8217;s Worldwide Design Engineering organization. With dual master\u2019s degrees in mechanical engineering and business administration, he leads teams that leverage Agentic AI, advanced simulation, and machine learning to design complex, scalable systems driving innovation and exceptional customer experiences.<\/p>\n<p>Ganesh&#8217;s career spans leadership roles across multiple Fortune 500 companies, where he has delivered transformative innovations in design, automation, and data driven processes. He has published extensively in industry conferences and holds patents for his simulation-driven design work.<\/p>\n<p>A key contributor to Amazon&#8217;s simulation community, Ganesh founded the Annual Amazon Fulfillment Simulation Symposium, bringing together scientists to share insights on simulation-driven innovation across the fulfillment supply chain. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the vision for Amazon&#8217;s global simulation science community, advancing the frontiers of simulation science and AI-driven design.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><!-- .accordion-content -->\n        <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n\n<\/div><!-- \/module accordion -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-anchor=\"macal\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_has_section tb_section-macal tb_48ld60 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_jd7160 first\">\n                    <!-- module fancy heading -->\n<div  class=\"module module-fancy-heading tb_l8bq60 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <h2 class=\"fancy-heading tf_textc\">\n    <span class=\"main-head tf_block\">\n                    2025 Titan of Simulation            <\/span>\n\n    \n    <span class=\"sub-head tf_block tf_rel\">\n                                <\/span>\n    <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module fancy heading -->\n        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_8b9560\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-1 tb_dp1w60 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_u11j672 image-center   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/04\/CharlesMacal-070215-copy-731x1024.jpg\" width=\"353\" height=\"353\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-10797\" title=\"Charles M. Macal\" alt=\"Charles Macal will speak at 2025 WSC\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    Charles M. Macal                            <\/h3>\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            Chief Scientist &amp;<br> Social Behavioral Systems, Group Leader<br>\nArgonne National Laboratory        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-2 tb_e8r760 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_y5b2672   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p>Join Chick Macal for a keynote journey through simulation&#8217;s past, present, reflecting on its societal impact and asking the provocative question: Does simulation have a future in the Age of AI?<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>A Life in Simulation in the Service to Society, Past and Present &#8211; Does Simulation Have a Future?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Chick&#8217;s career has been a journey through the evolution of simulation, from the early days of digital computing to today\u2019s advances in agent-based modeling, digital twins, and AI. Over more than five decades, he has witnessed simulation grow from its foundations in discrete-event models and system dynamics into a vital discipline for science, engineering, and decision-making. Chick&#8217;s focus has been applying simulation to problems of societal importance\u2014public health, energy, and critical infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>In this Titans talk, he will reflect on milestones and influences that shaped both his career and the broader field, while also looking ahead. Will simulation remain central in an era dominated by AI? Can we inspire new generations to carry the field forward? Chick will argue that simulation\u2019s future depends on how we innovate, integrate with emerging technologies, and continue to demonstrate its indispensable role in service to society.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module accordion -->\n<div  class=\"module module-accordion tb_i1bi60 \" data-behavior=\"toggle\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <ul class=\"ui module-accordion   blue\">\n            <li>\n            <div class=\"accordion-title tf_rel\">\n                <a href=\"#acc-i1bi60-0\" class=\"tb_title_accordion\" aria-controls=\"acc-i1bi60-0-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                    <i class=\"accordion-icon\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-plus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    <i class=\"accordion-active-icon tf_hide\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-minus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    Bio                <\/a>\n            <\/div><!-- .accordion-title -->\n            <div id=\"acc-i1bi60-0-content\" data-id=\"acc-i1bi60-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"accordion-content tf_hide tf_clearfix\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tb_mjzy563\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column tb_ivew563 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_wva5563   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong>Charles \u201cChick\u201d Macal<\/strong> received an MSc in Industrial Engineering from Purdue in 1975 studying under A. Alan B. Pritsker, and was drawn into simulation during its earlyiest beginnings. At the time simulation was the \u201cnext big thing,\u201d with (1) simulation applications that would save the world (System Dynamics, from the Club of Rome), (2) new simulation languages (GASP IV, Q-GERT, SLAM) that would facilitate the easy and quick simulation model development, and (3) the establishment of companies dedicated to simulation (Pritsker &amp; Associates). Subsequently, he took a position at Argonne National Laboratory with the intent of using simulation modeling to solve the \u201cEnergy Crisis,\u201d described by then-President Jimmy Carter as the \u201cmoral equivalent of war\u201d (still working on that). While working, he received a PhD in Industrial Engineering &amp; Management Science from Northwestern University, focusing on systems of optimization models applied to energy markets, and later realized that the same model form is equivalent to what has become known as agent-based modeling. He has received numerous awards for his work on simulation methods, theory, and applications, and served as President or Chairman for most simulation professional organizations, including WSC and SCS. He is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Simulation. Chick remains at Argonne developing novel, large-scale applications of simulation to important national and global problems in the areas of energy, infrastructure, energy and critical material supply chains, and other areas.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><!-- .accordion-content -->\n        <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n\n<\/div><!-- \/module accordion -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-anchor=\"hobson-rohrer\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_has_section tb_section-hobson-rohrer tb_utyh495 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_dpb5495 first\">\n                    <!-- module fancy heading -->\n<div  class=\"module module-fancy-heading tb_youl495 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <h2 class=\"fancy-heading tf_textc\">\n    <span class=\"main-head tf_block\">\n                    2025 Titan of Simulation            <\/span>\n\n    \n    <span class=\"sub-head tf_block tf_rel\">\n                                <\/span>\n    <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module fancy heading -->\n        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_9ry1495\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-1 tb_0rma495 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_b9ex495 image-center   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/11\/Matt-Hobson-Rohrer.jpeg\" width=\"353\" height=\"353\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-11739\" title=\"Matthew Hobson-Rohrer\" alt=\"Matt will speak at 2025 WSC\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    Matthew Hobson-Rohrer                            <\/h3>\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            Managing Partner<br> \nRoar Simulation        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-2 tb_a4x3495 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_s9ym495   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><em><strong>How I Learned to Make a Living Building Models (And Why I Swear I&#8217;m Not Just Playing Video Games)<br \/><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Matt Hobson-Rohrer\u2019s career is a masterclass in simulation technology. He\u2019s held nearly every role possible: he built models for a decade, developed software, managed consulting teams, and eventually ran the entire AutoMod business. For 20 years with AutoMod, he climbed the ladder, later moving into business development to help Emulate3D and SIMUL8 grow their North American presence.<\/p>\n<p>Today, Matt&#8217;s company, Roar Simulation, builds sophisticated digital models of material handling automation to help clients &#8220;eliminate risk&#8221; before physical systems go \u201clive\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>After 37 years in the industry (which he insists is a legitimate job, not just playing Fortnite), Matt has some hard-won lessons to share with the WinterSim community. He will offer insights on the core principles we need to preserve as the field evolves, and his unfiltered perspective on what we should change.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module accordion -->\n<div  class=\"module module-accordion tb_gbuk495 \" data-behavior=\"toggle\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <ul class=\"ui module-accordion   blue\">\n            <li>\n            <div class=\"accordion-title tf_rel\">\n                <a href=\"#acc-gbuk495-0\" class=\"tb_title_accordion\" aria-controls=\"acc-gbuk495-0-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                    <i class=\"accordion-icon\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-plus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    <i class=\"accordion-active-icon tf_hide\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-minus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    Bio                <\/a>\n            <\/div><!-- .accordion-title -->\n            <div id=\"acc-gbuk495-0-content\" data-id=\"acc-gbuk495-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"accordion-content tf_hide tf_clearfix\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tb_pwoe495\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column tb_tae2495 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_zp96495   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong>Matthew Hobson-Rohrer<\/strong> has been in the simulation industry for more than 30 years. He has experience with multiple simulation technologies, and has focused on simulation applications in material handling and automation. Matt has been a leader in the simulation community as well, chairing the Winter Simulation Conference in 2001, and leading the WSC case studies track in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>Matt enjoys the mountain lifestyle of Utah, mountain biking, hiking, and skiing with his family.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><!-- .accordion-content -->\n        <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n\n<\/div><!-- \/module accordion -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-anchor=\"mcfarlane\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_has_section tb_section-mcfarlane tb_yevp668 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_892r670 first\">\n                    <!-- module fancy heading -->\n<div  class=\"module module-fancy-heading tb_xz83485 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <h2 class=\"fancy-heading tf_textc\">\n    <span class=\"main-head tf_block\">\n                    2025 Simulation in Space Keynote            <\/span>\n\n    \n    <span class=\"sub-head tf_block tf_rel\">\n                                <\/span>\n    <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module fancy heading -->\n        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tb_0ntu671\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-1 tb_fglt672 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_b418981 image-center   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/02\/Orion-medres.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-10640\" title=\"Michael McFarlane\" alt=\"Michael McFarlane will speak at 2025 WSC\" srcset=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/02\/Orion-medres.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/02\/Orion-medres-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/02\/Orion-medres-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/02\/Orion-medres-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    Michael McFarlane                            <\/h3>\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            Chief, Simulation &amp; Graphics Branch <br>\nNASA<br>\n        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column col3-2 tb_fz7m672 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_d9c17dc   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><em><strong>The Unique Challenges Associated with Building Useful Space-Based Simulations<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has faced incredible challenges throughout its history associated with flying humans in space safely and efficiently.\u00a0 NASA has relied heavily on modeling and simulation products to prepare for these missions and the challenges that must be overcome accordingly.\u00a0 However, building accurate models and simulations of complex vehicles in outer space, on the Moon, or on other astronomical bodies is especially challenging because of the uniqueness of those environments, which includes reduced gravity, intense and immediate temperature shifts, challenging radiation levels, high-contrast lighting challenges, and several other factors.\u00a0 Adding to the difficulty is the fact that, in general, space missions must be fully successful the first time they are flown.\u00a0 Unlike many industries that can afford to build and test numerous concepts and test articles through a series of successes and failures, space missions are simply too expensive and too hazardous to fail, especially human missions.\u00a0 \u201cFailure is not an option\u201d is an oft-repeated slogan associated with human space missions, and for good reason.\u00a0 As a result of these challenges, NASA has invested significantly in building modular, reusable simulation products that have been shared across multiple programs, thereby providing extensive use-history and reusable validation data, which ensures high quality while keeping costs down.\u00a0 These tools include a core simulation environment (Trick), an orbital dynamics package (JEOD), a multi-body dynamics package (MBDyn), and countless other tool suites designed to reduce the workload associated with simulating new vehicles in new space-based environments.\u00a0 Many of these tool suites have been released as open-source projects, others have not for a variety of reasons.\u00a0 NASA has also relied heavily on international standards where they exist, including High Level Architecture (HLA), an IEEE standard, and SpaceFOM, a SISO standard.\u00a0 These standards have ensured that we can build interoperability into our simulations without requiring our partners (domestic or international) to all use the same suite of simulation tools.\u00a0 We also seek out commercial simulation solutions wherever possible.\u00a0 There are excellent commercial visualization tools available, but commercial tools that model the complexities of space to the extent needed to ensure mission success are fairly limited.\u00a0 This presentation will explore some of the history of modeling and simulation at NASA, how those capabilities have been used to ensure mission success, how human space flight has evolved in its development and use of these simulation capabilities, future challenges that will almost certainly rely heavily on the current suite of simulation tools, and new innovations that will hopefully come to pass in the future.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module accordion -->\n<div  class=\"module module-accordion tb_31j1715 \" data-behavior=\"toggle\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <ul class=\"ui module-accordion   blue\">\n            <li>\n            <div class=\"accordion-title tf_rel\">\n                <a href=\"#acc-31j1715-0\" class=\"tb_title_accordion\" aria-controls=\"acc-31j1715-0-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                    <i class=\"accordion-icon\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-plus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    <i class=\"accordion-active-icon tf_hide\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-minus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    Bio                <\/a>\n            <\/div><!-- .accordion-title -->\n            <div id=\"acc-31j1715-0-content\" data-id=\"acc-31j1715-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"accordion-content tf_hide tf_clearfix\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tb_jd1u562\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column tb_9vva562 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_kif5562   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong>Michael McFarlane<\/strong> currently serves as the chief of the Simulation and Graphics Branch at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center.\u00a0 In this capacity, he leads a team that develops human-in-the-loop simulation capabilities as well as the tools used to build those integrated simulations.\u00a0 These simulations are used for a variety of purposes in support of human spaceflight, from early conceptualization through concept development, space vehicle development, mission planning, astronaut training, and real-time mission support.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Prior to his current position, he was chief of NASA\u2019s Human Interface Branch, which develops and maintains displays and controls, audio systems, visual systems, and wearable systems for human space missions.\u00a0 He has been working at Johnson Space Center for nearly 40 years on a wide variety of technical projects.\u00a0 He graduated with a bachelor\u2019s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1988.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><!-- .accordion-content -->\n        <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n\n<\/div><!-- \/module accordion -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-anchor=\"pillai\" data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_has_section tb_section-pillai tb_mg12319 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_6jgt320 first\">\n                    <!-- module fancy heading -->\n<div  class=\"module module-fancy-heading tb_be7j326 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <h2 class=\"fancy-heading tf_textc\">\n    <span class=\"main-head tf_block\">\n                    MASM Keynote            <\/span>\n\n    \n    <span class=\"sub-head tf_block tf_rel\">\n                                <\/span>\n    <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module fancy heading -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_2l8s796 tf_w\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_d0cj796 first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_c6in797 image-center   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"553\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/04\/Devadas-Pillai.jpg\" class=\"wp-post-image wp-image-10800\" title=\"Devadas &quot;Dave&quot; Pillai\" alt=\"Dave Pillai will speak at WSC 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/04\/Devadas-Pillai.jpg 553w, https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/04\/Devadas-Pillai-221x300.jpg 221w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 553px) 100vw, 553px\" \/>    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <div class=\"image-content\">\n                    <h3 class=\"image-title\">\n                                    Devadas \"Dave\" Pillai                            <\/h3>\n                        <div class=\"image-caption tb_text_wrap\">\n            Retired Senior Fellow &amp; Former Director<br>\nIntel<br>        <\/div>\n        <!-- \/image-caption -->\n            <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-content -->\n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-2 tb_bhm1797 last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_40ec798   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><em><strong>Beyond Digital Twins, Using Content-rich Agentic Models to Drive New Breakthroughs in Tomorrow\u2019s Factories<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>The future of leading-edge manufacturing demands innovations that generate real benefits for the business at a pace and scale we have never seen before. This talk will discuss major forces underway shaping manufacturing\u2019s future, transitioning from digital-twins to being increasingly driven by agentic and multi-model solutions that enable full-autonomy and augmented intelligence-based decision support systems in the factory. Their foundations require highly dependable, content-rich, and collaborative environments that can sense, perceive, reason, plan and execute complex production decisions safely around the clock. And as business drivers change, these capabilities must adapt and stay available and resilient, while being extended and scaled out quickly. The talk will outline how these tools are moving from being advisory in nature to the next frontier of execution by objectively characterizing complexity and disruptions autonomously and creating runways that unlock entirely new levels of agility and productivity that manufacturing demands.<br><br><\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module accordion -->\n<div  class=\"module module-accordion tb_09t8798 \" data-behavior=\"toggle\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <ul class=\"ui module-accordion   blue\">\n            <li>\n            <div class=\"accordion-title tf_rel\">\n                <a href=\"#acc-09t8798-0\" class=\"tb_title_accordion\" aria-controls=\"acc-09t8798-0-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                    <i class=\"accordion-icon\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-plus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    <i class=\"accordion-active-icon tf_hide\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-minus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    Bio                <\/a>\n            <\/div><!-- .accordion-title -->\n            <div id=\"acc-09t8798-0-content\" data-id=\"acc-09t8798-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"accordion-content tf_hide tf_clearfix\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tb_bxr6564\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column tb_zrj6564 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_i8s4564   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong>Devadas Pillai<\/strong> is a retired Intel Senior Fellow &amp; former director who led the development and proliferation of simulation modeling methods &amp; optimization tools across Intel&#8217;s technology development and high-volume manufacturing fabs worldwide for over 2 decades.<\/p>\n<p>Pillai was Intel\u2019s first Fellow whose technical expertise is factory automation and robotics manufacturing. He has been honored many times by his industry peers as one of the most influential leaders who drove the vision and worldwide industry direction for 300 mm fab standardization resulting in pervasive fab automation and modeling tools for improving IC manufacturing.<\/p>\n<p>Pillai has written more than 90 peer-reviewed technical papers and keynote presentations in IEEE, ISSM, IEDM, SME, JES, IIE, SEMI and others in the fields of factory automation and operational modeling.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><!-- .accordion-content -->\n        <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n\n<\/div><!-- \/module accordion -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_hdhr769 tf_w hide-desktop hide-tablet hide-tablet_landscape hide-mobile\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full tb_m3sa769 first\">\n                    <!-- module fancy heading -->\n<div  class=\"module module-fancy-heading tb_h1yf749 \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <h2 class=\"fancy-heading tf_textc\">\n    <span class=\"main-head tf_block\">\n                    Military Keynote            <\/span>\n\n    \n    <span class=\"sub-head tf_block tf_rel\">\n                                <\/span>\n    <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module fancy heading -->\n        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_2406d96 tf_w hide-desktop hide-tablet hide-tablet_landscape hide-mobile\">\n                        <div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tb_col_count_2 tf_box tf_rel\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-1 tb_c1976bc first\">\n                    <!-- module image -->\n<div  class=\"module module-image tb_c6ka106 image-center   tf_mw\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div class=\"image-wrap tf_rel tf_mw\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2024\/files\/2024\/07\/Tolk_A.jpg\" alt=\"Balough will speak at 2023 WSC\">    \n        <\/div>\n    <!-- \/image-wrap -->\n    \n        <\/div>\n<!-- \/module image -->        <\/div>\n                    <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col3-2 tb_e3ed7bd last\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_1k5d779   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <h4><strong>Andreas Tolk<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Chief Scientist, Complex Systems Modeling<br>Modeling and Analysis Innovation Center<i><br>The MITRE Corporation<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"xmsonormal\" style=\"background: white\"><strong><span class=\"xui-provider\"><span style=\"color: #242424\">Combat and Complexity: Using Modeling and Simulation to Understand the Implications for the Next War<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ideas of complexity can be found in the works of Sun Tzu and Clausewitz, so complexity in combat is not a new concept the military community and supporting modeling, simulation, and analysis experts must deal with. However, the amount of complexity increases. Early weapon systems did not reach beyond the direct control of the user. The battlefield could be delimited using organizational boundaries defining areas of responsibility assigned to local units. Today\u2019s weapon effects reach beyond the control of the user. Areas of responsibility overlap. Unit boundaries are no longer efficient, but collaboration in the overlapping areas is needed. Today\u2019s military operations increasingly rely upon joint, coalition, allied, and combined multilateral forces that are optimized, and task organized. Air, land, sea, space, and cyber operations are being tied together on a multidomain battlefield characterized by non linear operations in a networked kill web. Such kill webs provide a new from of operational agility that is far beyond current capabilities, but also requires new degrees of weapon system interoperability and a new concepts for battle management command and control. This presentation shows implications for the next war and recommends a closer collaboration with the complex adaptive systems community to benefit from their methods and tools.<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module accordion -->\n<div  class=\"module module-accordion tb_4zhr779  hide-desktop hide-tablet hide-tablet_landscape hide-mobile\" data-behavior=\"toggle\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n    \n    <ul class=\"ui module-accordion   blue\">\n            <li>\n            <div class=\"accordion-title tf_rel\">\n                <a href=\"#acc-4zhr779-0\" class=\"tb_title_accordion\" aria-controls=\"acc-4zhr779-0-content\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                    <i class=\"accordion-icon\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-plus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-plus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    <i class=\"accordion-active-icon tf_hide\"><svg  class=\"tf_fa tf-fas-minus\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><use href=\"#tf-fas-minus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i>                    Bio                <\/a>\n            <\/div><!-- .accordion-title -->\n            <div id=\"acc-4zhr779-0-content\" data-id=\"acc-4zhr779-0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"accordion-content tf_hide tf_clearfix\">\n                        <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_subrow themify_builder_sub_row tf_w col_align_top tb_col_count_1 tb_jo4h564\">\n                <div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column sub_column tb_0fjm564 first\">\n                    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_t3rd564   \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n        <p><strong>Andreas Tolk<\/strong> is Chief Scientist for Complex Systems Modeling in the Modeling and Analysis<br>Innovation Center at The MITRE Corporation in Charlottesville, VA. He holds a variety of service and editorial roles within the simulation community, including having served on the WSC Governance Board from 2013 to 2021. He has an extensive publication record, including many contributions to the Command and Control Research Program and the System Analysis and Studies Group of NATOs Science and Technology Board. Among 14 other textbooks and compendiums on simulation and systems engineering topics he authored the textbook &#8220;Engineering Principles of Combat Modeling and Distributed Simulation,&#8221; published<br>2012 by Wiley. He received a PhD and M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of the Federal Armed Forces, Germany. Andreas is a Fellow of SCS and a senior member of ACM and IEEE. He received distinguished contribution awards from ACM and SCS and was recognized as a &#8220;Titan of Simulation&#8221; at the Winter Simulation Conference 2021.\u00a0<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div><!-- .accordion-content -->\n        <\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n\n<\/div><!-- \/module accordion -->        <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1001065,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4337","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","has-post-title","has-post-date","has-post-category","has-post-tag","has-post-comment","has-post-author",""],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v26.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Keynotes - Winter Simulation Conference 2025<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Join Michael McFarlane, Mark Elder, and Charles M. Macal as they headline the 2025 Winter Simulation Conference in Seattle, WA\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Keynotes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Join Michael McFarlane, Mark Elder, and Charles M. Macal as they headline the 2025 Winter Simulation Conference in Seattle, WA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Winter Simulation Conference 2025\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-11-26T15:15:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2024\/01\/WSC_2024_Logo-1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"300\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"315\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"26 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/\",\"name\":\"Keynotes - Winter Simulation Conference 2025\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/10\/Ganesh-Nanaware.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-02-16T15:22:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-26T15:15:42+00:00\",\"description\":\"Join Michael McFarlane, Mark Elder, and Charles M. 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Macal as they headline the 2025 Winter Simulation Conference in Seattle, WA","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Keynotes","og_description":"Join Michael McFarlane, Mark Elder, and Charles M. Macal as they headline the 2025 Winter Simulation Conference in Seattle, WA","og_url":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/","og_site_name":"Winter Simulation Conference 2025","article_modified_time":"2025-11-26T15:15:42+00:00","og_image":[{"width":300,"height":315,"url":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2024\/01\/WSC_2024_Logo-1.png","type":"image\/png"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"26 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/","url":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/","name":"Keynotes - Winter Simulation Conference 2025","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/10\/Ganesh-Nanaware.png","datePublished":"2023-02-16T15:22:37+00:00","dateModified":"2025-11-26T15:15:42+00:00","description":"Join Michael McFarlane, Mark Elder, and Charles M. Macal as they headline the 2025 Winter Simulation Conference in Seattle, WA","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/10\/Ganesh-Nanaware.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/10\/Ganesh-Nanaware.png","width":282,"height":390},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/keynotes\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Keynotes"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/#website","url":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/","name":"Winter Simulation Conference 2025","description":"Winter Simulation Conference 2025","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"builder_content":"<h2>2025 WSC Opening Keynote<br\/><\/h2>\n<img src=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/10\/Ganesh-Nanaware.png\" title=\"Ganesh Nanaware\" alt=\"Ganesh Nanaware will speak at 2025 WSC\" srcset=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/10\/Ganesh-Nanaware.png 282w, https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/10\/Ganesh-Nanaware-217x300.png 217w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 282px) 100vw, 282px\" \/> <h3> Ganesh Nanaware <\/h3> Senior Manager, Simulation Research, AI, and Data Science<br> Amazon<br>\n<p><em><strong>Model. Simulate. Innovate: Driving Amazon's Fulfillment Design Through Simulation<\/strong><\/em><\/p> <p style=\"text-align: justify\">This talk will explores how simulation serves as the digital backbone enabling innovation across Amazon\u2019s fulfillment design and operations. We will discuss the mission of the simulation organization to virtually experiment, validate, and optimize complex fulfillment concepts before they are physically realized. As automation complexity grows, traditional design approaches face critical challenges in predicting system interactions, throughput impacts, and operational resilience. Simulation bridges this gap by offering a controlled yet high-fidelity environment to model, test, and refine designs at scale.. The talk will walk through a range of real-world applications of simulation across the end-to-end fulfillment ecosystem spanning site-level process design, automation system validation, network and traffic flow planning, and real-time digital twin development. We will highlight how simulation-driven insights are informing key design decisions, driving process innovation, and accelerating strategic initiatives across diverse site types and automation technologies.<\/p> <p style=\"text-align: justify\">Finally, we will reflect on the challenges and future vision for simulation to advance toward intelligent, adaptive models that mirror real-world operations in real time. Through this journey, we will see how simulation is not merely a design tool but a strategic enabler to innovate faster, smarter, and virtually, to build the fulfillment network of the future.<\/p> <p><em><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul><li><h4>Bio<\/h4><p><strong>Ganesh Nanaware<\/strong> is a Senior Manager of Simulation Research, AI, and Data Science within Amazon's Worldwide Design Engineering organization. With dual master\u2019s degrees in mechanical engineering and business administration, he leads teams that leverage Agentic AI, advanced simulation, and machine learning to design complex, scalable systems driving innovation and exceptional customer experiences.<\/p> <p>Ganesh's career spans leadership roles across multiple Fortune 500 companies, where he has delivered transformative innovations in design, automation, and data driven processes. He has published extensively in industry conferences and holds patents for his simulation-driven design work.<\/p> <p>A key contributor to Amazon's simulation community, Ganesh founded the Annual Amazon Fulfillment Simulation Symposium, bringing together scientists to share insights on simulation-driven innovation across the fulfillment supply chain. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the vision for Amazon's global simulation science community, advancing the frontiers of simulation science and AI-driven design.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\n<p><strong>Ganesh Nanaware<\/strong> is a Senior Manager of Simulation Research, AI, and Data Science within Amazon's Worldwide Design Engineering organization. With dual master\u2019s degrees in mechanical engineering and business administration, he leads teams that leverage Agentic AI, advanced simulation, and machine learning to design complex, scalable systems driving innovation and exceptional customer experiences.<\/p> <p>Ganesh's career spans leadership roles across multiple Fortune 500 companies, where he has delivered transformative innovations in design, automation, and data driven processes. He has published extensively in industry conferences and holds patents for his simulation-driven design work.<\/p> <p>A key contributor to Amazon's simulation community, Ganesh founded the Annual Amazon Fulfillment Simulation Symposium, bringing together scientists to share insights on simulation-driven innovation across the fulfillment supply chain. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the vision for Amazon's global simulation science community, advancing the frontiers of simulation science and AI-driven design.<\/p>\n<h2>2025 Titan of Simulation<br\/><\/h2>\n<img src=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/04\/CharlesMacal-070215-copy-731x1024.jpg\" width=\"353\" height=\"353\" title=\"Charles M. Macal\" alt=\"Charles Macal will speak at 2025 WSC\"> <h3> Charles M. Macal <\/h3> Chief Scientist &amp;<br> Social Behavioral Systems, Group Leader<br> Argonne National Laboratory\n<p>Join Chick Macal for a keynote journey through simulation's past, present, reflecting on its societal impact and asking the provocative question: Does simulation have a future in the Age of AI?<\/p> <p><strong><em>A Life in Simulation in the Service to Society, Past and Present - Does Simulation Have a Future?<\/em><\/strong><\/p> <p>Chick's career has been a journey through the evolution of simulation, from the early days of digital computing to today\u2019s advances in agent-based modeling, digital twins, and AI. Over more than five decades, he has witnessed simulation grow from its foundations in discrete-event models and system dynamics into a vital discipline for science, engineering, and decision-making. Chick's focus has been applying simulation to problems of societal importance\u2014public health, energy, and critical infrastructure.<\/p> <p>In this Titans talk, he will reflect on milestones and influences that shaped both his career and the broader field, while also looking ahead. Will simulation remain central in an era dominated by AI? Can we inspire new generations to carry the field forward? Chick will argue that simulation\u2019s future depends on how we innovate, integrate with emerging technologies, and continue to demonstrate its indispensable role in service to society.<\/p>\n<ul><li><h4>Bio<\/h4><p><strong>Charles \u201cChick\u201d Macal<\/strong> received an MSc in Industrial Engineering from Purdue in 1975 studying under A. Alan B. Pritsker, and was drawn into simulation during its earlyiest beginnings. At the time simulation was the \u201cnext big thing,\u201d with (1) simulation applications that would save the world (System Dynamics, from the Club of Rome), (2) new simulation languages (GASP IV, Q-GERT, SLAM) that would facilitate the easy and quick simulation model development, and (3) the establishment of companies dedicated to simulation (Pritsker &amp; Associates). Subsequently, he took a position at Argonne National Laboratory with the intent of using simulation modeling to solve the \u201cEnergy Crisis,\u201d described by then-President Jimmy Carter as the \u201cmoral equivalent of war\u201d (still working on that). While working, he received a PhD in Industrial Engineering &amp; Management Science from Northwestern University, focusing on systems of optimization models applied to energy markets, and later realized that the same model form is equivalent to what has become known as agent-based modeling. He has received numerous awards for his work on simulation methods, theory, and applications, and served as President or Chairman for most simulation professional organizations, including WSC and SCS. He is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Simulation. Chick remains at Argonne developing novel, large-scale applications of simulation to important national and global problems in the areas of energy, infrastructure, energy and critical material supply chains, and other areas.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\n<p><strong>Charles \u201cChick\u201d Macal<\/strong> received an MSc in Industrial Engineering from Purdue in 1975 studying under A. Alan B. Pritsker, and was drawn into simulation during its earlyiest beginnings. At the time simulation was the \u201cnext big thing,\u201d with (1) simulation applications that would save the world (System Dynamics, from the Club of Rome), (2) new simulation languages (GASP IV, Q-GERT, SLAM) that would facilitate the easy and quick simulation model development, and (3) the establishment of companies dedicated to simulation (Pritsker &amp; Associates). Subsequently, he took a position at Argonne National Laboratory with the intent of using simulation modeling to solve the \u201cEnergy Crisis,\u201d described by then-President Jimmy Carter as the \u201cmoral equivalent of war\u201d (still working on that). While working, he received a PhD in Industrial Engineering &amp; Management Science from Northwestern University, focusing on systems of optimization models applied to energy markets, and later realized that the same model form is equivalent to what has become known as agent-based modeling. He has received numerous awards for his work on simulation methods, theory, and applications, and served as President or Chairman for most simulation professional organizations, including WSC and SCS. He is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Simulation. Chick remains at Argonne developing novel, large-scale applications of simulation to important national and global problems in the areas of energy, infrastructure, energy and critical material supply chains, and other areas.<\/p>\n<h2>2025 Titan of Simulation<br\/><\/h2>\n<img src=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/11\/Matt-Hobson-Rohrer.jpeg\" width=\"353\" height=\"353\" title=\"Matthew Hobson-Rohrer\" alt=\"Matt will speak at 2025 WSC\"> <h3> Matthew Hobson-Rohrer <\/h3> Managing Partner<br> Roar Simulation\n<p><em><strong>How I Learned to Make a Living Building Models (And Why I Swear I'm Not Just Playing Video Games)<br \/><\/strong><\/em><\/p> <p>Matt Hobson-Rohrer\u2019s career is a masterclass in simulation technology. He\u2019s held nearly every role possible: he built models for a decade, developed software, managed consulting teams, and eventually ran the entire AutoMod business. For 20 years with AutoMod, he climbed the ladder, later moving into business development to help Emulate3D and SIMUL8 grow their North American presence.<\/p> <p>Today, Matt's company, Roar Simulation, builds sophisticated digital models of material handling automation to help clients \"eliminate risk\" before physical systems go \u201clive\u201d.<\/p> <p>After 37 years in the industry (which he insists is a legitimate job, not just playing Fortnite), Matt has some hard-won lessons to share with the WinterSim community. He will offer insights on the core principles we need to preserve as the field evolves, and his unfiltered perspective on what we should change.<\/p> <p><em><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul><li><h4>Bio<\/h4><p><strong>Matthew Hobson-Rohrer<\/strong> has been in the simulation industry for more than 30 years. He has experience with multiple simulation technologies, and has focused on simulation applications in material handling and automation. Matt has been a leader in the simulation community as well, chairing the Winter Simulation Conference in 2001, and leading the WSC case studies track in recent years.<\/p> <p>Matt enjoys the mountain lifestyle of Utah, mountain biking, hiking, and skiing with his family.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\n<p><strong>Matthew Hobson-Rohrer<\/strong> has been in the simulation industry for more than 30 years. He has experience with multiple simulation technologies, and has focused on simulation applications in material handling and automation. Matt has been a leader in the simulation community as well, chairing the Winter Simulation Conference in 2001, and leading the WSC case studies track in recent years.<\/p> <p>Matt enjoys the mountain lifestyle of Utah, mountain biking, hiking, and skiing with his family.<\/p>\n<h2>2025 Simulation in Space Keynote<br\/><\/h2>\n<img src=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/02\/Orion-medres.jpg\" title=\"Michael McFarlane\" alt=\"Michael McFarlane will speak at 2025 WSC\" srcset=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/02\/Orion-medres.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/02\/Orion-medres-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/02\/Orion-medres-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/02\/Orion-medres-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/> <h3> Michael McFarlane <\/h3> Chief, Simulation &amp; Graphics Branch <br> NASA<br>\n<p><em><strong>The Unique Challenges Associated with Building Useful Space-Based Simulations<\/strong><\/em><\/p> <p>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has faced incredible challenges throughout its history associated with flying humans in space safely and efficiently.\u00a0 NASA has relied heavily on modeling and simulation products to prepare for these missions and the challenges that must be overcome accordingly.\u00a0 However, building accurate models and simulations of complex vehicles in outer space, on the Moon, or on other astronomical bodies is especially challenging because of the uniqueness of those environments, which includes reduced gravity, intense and immediate temperature shifts, challenging radiation levels, high-contrast lighting challenges, and several other factors.\u00a0 Adding to the difficulty is the fact that, in general, space missions must be fully successful the first time they are flown.\u00a0 Unlike many industries that can afford to build and test numerous concepts and test articles through a series of successes and failures, space missions are simply too expensive and too hazardous to fail, especially human missions.\u00a0 \u201cFailure is not an option\u201d is an oft-repeated slogan associated with human space missions, and for good reason.\u00a0 As a result of these challenges, NASA has invested significantly in building modular, reusable simulation products that have been shared across multiple programs, thereby providing extensive use-history and reusable validation data, which ensures high quality while keeping costs down.\u00a0 These tools include a core simulation environment (Trick), an orbital dynamics package (JEOD), a multi-body dynamics package (MBDyn), and countless other tool suites designed to reduce the workload associated with simulating new vehicles in new space-based environments.\u00a0 Many of these tool suites have been released as open-source projects, others have not for a variety of reasons.\u00a0 NASA has also relied heavily on international standards where they exist, including High Level Architecture (HLA), an IEEE standard, and SpaceFOM, a SISO standard.\u00a0 These standards have ensured that we can build interoperability into our simulations without requiring our partners (domestic or international) to all use the same suite of simulation tools.\u00a0 We also seek out commercial simulation solutions wherever possible.\u00a0 There are excellent commercial visualization tools available, but commercial tools that model the complexities of space to the extent needed to ensure mission success are fairly limited.\u00a0 This presentation will explore some of the history of modeling and simulation at NASA, how those capabilities have been used to ensure mission success, how human space flight has evolved in its development and use of these simulation capabilities, future challenges that will almost certainly rely heavily on the current suite of simulation tools, and new innovations that will hopefully come to pass in the future.<\/p>\n<ul><li><h4>Bio<\/h4><p><strong>Michael McFarlane<\/strong> currently serves as the chief of the Simulation and Graphics Branch at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center.\u00a0 In this capacity, he leads a team that develops human-in-the-loop simulation capabilities as well as the tools used to build those integrated simulations.\u00a0 These simulations are used for a variety of purposes in support of human spaceflight, from early conceptualization through concept development, space vehicle development, mission planning, astronaut training, and real-time mission support.\u00a0<\/p> <p>Prior to his current position, he was chief of NASA\u2019s Human Interface Branch, which develops and maintains displays and controls, audio systems, visual systems, and wearable systems for human space missions.\u00a0 He has been working at Johnson Space Center for nearly 40 years on a wide variety of technical projects.\u00a0 He graduated with a bachelor\u2019s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1988.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\n<p><strong>Michael McFarlane<\/strong> currently serves as the chief of the Simulation and Graphics Branch at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center.\u00a0 In this capacity, he leads a team that develops human-in-the-loop simulation capabilities as well as the tools used to build those integrated simulations.\u00a0 These simulations are used for a variety of purposes in support of human spaceflight, from early conceptualization through concept development, space vehicle development, mission planning, astronaut training, and real-time mission support.\u00a0<\/p> <p>Prior to his current position, he was chief of NASA\u2019s Human Interface Branch, which develops and maintains displays and controls, audio systems, visual systems, and wearable systems for human space missions.\u00a0 He has been working at Johnson Space Center for nearly 40 years on a wide variety of technical projects.\u00a0 He graduated with a bachelor\u2019s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1988.<\/p>\n<h2>MASM Keynote<br\/><\/h2>\n<img src=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/04\/Devadas-Pillai.jpg\" title=\"Devadas &quot;Dave&quot; Pillai\" alt=\"Dave Pillai will speak at WSC 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/04\/Devadas-Pillai.jpg 553w, https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/files\/2025\/04\/Devadas-Pillai-221x300.jpg 221w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 553px) 100vw, 553px\" \/> <h3> Devadas \"Dave\" Pillai <\/h3> Retired Senior Fellow &amp; Former Director<br> Intel<br>\n<p><em><strong>Beyond Digital Twins, Using Content-rich Agentic Models to Drive New Breakthroughs in Tomorrow\u2019s Factories<\/strong><\/em><\/p> <p>The future of leading-edge manufacturing demands innovations that generate real benefits for the business at a pace and scale we have never seen before. This talk will discuss major forces underway shaping manufacturing\u2019s future, transitioning from digital-twins to being increasingly driven by agentic and multi-model solutions that enable full-autonomy and augmented intelligence-based decision support systems in the factory. Their foundations require highly dependable, content-rich, and collaborative environments that can sense, perceive, reason, plan and execute complex production decisions safely around the clock. And as business drivers change, these capabilities must adapt and stay available and resilient, while being extended and scaled out quickly. The talk will outline how these tools are moving from being advisory in nature to the next frontier of execution by objectively characterizing complexity and disruptions autonomously and creating runways that unlock entirely new levels of agility and productivity that manufacturing demands.<br><br><\/p>\n<ul><li><h4>Bio<\/h4><p><strong>Devadas Pillai<\/strong> is a retired Intel Senior Fellow &amp; former director who led the development and proliferation of simulation modeling methods &amp; optimization tools across Intel's technology development and high-volume manufacturing fabs worldwide for over 2 decades.<\/p> <p>Pillai was Intel\u2019s first Fellow whose technical expertise is factory automation and robotics manufacturing. He has been honored many times by his industry peers as one of the most influential leaders who drove the vision and worldwide industry direction for 300 mm fab standardization resulting in pervasive fab automation and modeling tools for improving IC manufacturing.<\/p> <p>Pillai has written more than 90 peer-reviewed technical papers and keynote presentations in IEEE, ISSM, IEDM, SME, JES, IIE, SEMI and others in the fields of factory automation and operational modeling.<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\n<p><strong>Devadas Pillai<\/strong> is a retired Intel Senior Fellow &amp; former director who led the development and proliferation of simulation modeling methods &amp; optimization tools across Intel's technology development and high-volume manufacturing fabs worldwide for over 2 decades.<\/p> <p>Pillai was Intel\u2019s first Fellow whose technical expertise is factory automation and robotics manufacturing. He has been honored many times by his industry peers as one of the most influential leaders who drove the vision and worldwide industry direction for 300 mm fab standardization resulting in pervasive fab automation and modeling tools for improving IC manufacturing.<\/p> <p>Pillai has written more than 90 peer-reviewed technical papers and keynote presentations in IEEE, ISSM, IEDM, SME, JES, IIE, SEMI and others in the fields of factory automation and operational modeling.<\/p>\n<h2>Military Keynote<br\/><\/h2>\n<img src=\"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2024\/files\/2024\/07\/Tolk_A.jpg\" alt=\"Balough will speak at 2023 WSC\">\n<h4><strong>Andreas Tolk<\/strong><\/h4> <p>Chief Scientist, Complex Systems Modeling<br>Modeling and Analysis Innovation Center<i><br>The MITRE Corporation<\/i><\/p> <p style=\"background: white\"><strong>Combat and Complexity: Using Modeling and Simulation to Understand the Implications for the Next War<\/strong><\/p> <p>Ideas of complexity can be found in the works of Sun Tzu and Clausewitz, so complexity in combat is not a new concept the military community and supporting modeling, simulation, and analysis experts must deal with. However, the amount of complexity increases. Early weapon systems did not reach beyond the direct control of the user. The battlefield could be delimited using organizational boundaries defining areas of responsibility assigned to local units. Today\u2019s weapon effects reach beyond the control of the user. Areas of responsibility overlap. Unit boundaries are no longer efficient, but collaboration in the overlapping areas is needed. Today\u2019s military operations increasingly rely upon joint, coalition, allied, and combined multilateral forces that are optimized, and task organized. Air, land, sea, space, and cyber operations are being tied together on a multidomain battlefield characterized by non linear operations in a networked kill web. Such kill webs provide a new from of operational agility that is far beyond current capabilities, but also requires new degrees of weapon system interoperability and a new concepts for battle management command and control. This presentation shows implications for the next war and recommends a closer collaboration with the complex adaptive systems community to benefit from their methods and tools.<\/p>\n<ul><li><h4>Bio<\/h4><p><strong>Andreas Tolk<\/strong> is Chief Scientist for Complex Systems Modeling in the Modeling and Analysis<br>Innovation Center at The MITRE Corporation in Charlottesville, VA. He holds a variety of service and editorial roles within the simulation community, including having served on the WSC Governance Board from 2013 to 2021. He has an extensive publication record, including many contributions to the Command and Control Research Program and the System Analysis and Studies Group of NATOs Science and Technology Board. Among 14 other textbooks and compendiums on simulation and systems engineering topics he authored the textbook \"Engineering Principles of Combat Modeling and Distributed Simulation,\" published<br>2012 by Wiley. He received a PhD and M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of the Federal Armed Forces, Germany. Andreas is a Fellow of SCS and a senior member of ACM and IEEE. He received distinguished contribution awards from ACM and SCS and was recognized as a \"Titan of Simulation\" at the Winter Simulation Conference 2021.\u00a0<\/p><\/li><\/ul>\n<p><strong>Andreas Tolk<\/strong> is Chief Scientist for Complex Systems Modeling in the Modeling and Analysis<br>Innovation Center at The MITRE Corporation in Charlottesville, VA. He holds a variety of service and editorial roles within the simulation community, including having served on the WSC Governance Board from 2013 to 2021. He has an extensive publication record, including many contributions to the Command and Control Research Program and the System Analysis and Studies Group of NATOs Science and Technology Board. Among 14 other textbooks and compendiums on simulation and systems engineering topics he authored the textbook \"Engineering Principles of Combat Modeling and Distributed Simulation,\" published<br>2012 by Wiley. He received a PhD and M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of the Federal Armed Forces, Germany. Andreas is a Fellow of SCS and a senior member of ACM and IEEE. He received distinguished contribution awards from ACM and SCS and was recognized as a \"Titan of Simulation\" at the Winter Simulation Conference 2021.\u00a0<\/p>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4337","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1001065"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4337"}],"version-history":[{"count":420,"href":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4337\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11792,"href":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4337\/revisions\/11792"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/meetings.informs.org\/wordpress\/wsc2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4337"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}