The Operations Research and Industrial Engineering program at The University of Texas at Austin welcomes three new faculty members who are joining us in 2025 and 2026. Shown above from left, Jisun Lee, Yashaswini Murthy, and Hairong Wang will all serve as assistant professors.
Lee is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the Georgia Tech H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering and will join UT Austin in Fall 2026. She previously received her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from UC Berkeley. Murthy is a postdoctoral scholar in Computing and Mathematical Sciences at Caltech and will also join next fall. She earned her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Wang has already begun her position with ORIE and comes to us from Georgia Tech, where she received her Ph.D. in Operations Research.
Let’s get to know more about our three newcomers below:
Q: What is your research focus?
Lee: My research focuses on developing strong formulations and efficient solution approaches for mixed-integer optimization problems, particularly by exploiting special problem structures in applications like hybrid system control and statistical learning. My interests span convexification of mixed-integer convex optimization, tractable distributed MIP algorithms, combined frameworks of optimization and machine learning, and optimization under uncertainty.
Murthy: My research focuses on developing and analyzing reinforcement learning algorithms for long-term decision-making under uncertainty, with an emphasis on average-reward and robust formulations. These questions sit at the intersection of reinforcement learning theory, applied probability, and operations research.
Wang: My research focuses on the development of machine learning models and algorithms for high-dimensional, multi-modal data with complex, heterogeneous structures. In particular, I develop data-driven methodologies for building and training machine learning models with data and computational efficiency, interpretability, generalizability, and robustness, and propose principled approaches to fuse domain knowledge into model design for supporting clinical diagnosis and optimal treatment in high-stake scenarios, such as brain cancer, liver cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Q: What drew you to Operations Research and Industrial Engineering and specifically UT Austin?
Lee: I am excited to teach optimization courses and develop new classes that bridge theory with real-world applications. I aim to create interactive learning environments where critical thinking and diverse perspectives enable students to learn from each other.
I am drawn to UT Austin by its strong collaborative culture across disciplines, which aligns perfectly with my research vision of bridging theoretical optimization with practical engineering applications. I'm equally excited about Austin's welcoming atmosphere, vibrant culture, and quality of life, making it an ideal place to work and live.
Murthy: Operations research perfectly captures my intellectual interests because it allows me to develop mathematically grounded solutions to real-world problems that can meaningfully impact society. I am excited to join UT Austin, a top school that attracts outstanding talent from across the world and is home to leading researchers, which makes it one of the best places for me to grow as a researcher. I am also passionate about teaching. I enjoy guiding students through complex mathematical concepts in a way that sparks rigorous discussion in the classroom, and I find this process not only rewarding but also enriching for my own growth as a researcher and communicator. I am especially looking forward to moving to Austin for its vibrant food scene and its lively and indulgent arts culture, which make it an exciting place to live.
Wang: I am genuinely excited to be joining ORIE at UT Austin. What drew me here is the combination of academic excellence, openness, and forward-looking energy that runs through both ORIE and the broader Mechanical Engineering community. The collaborative research culture creates an environment where ambitious ideas can take shape and grow. Being at UT Austin also means having access to one of the most unique healthcare innovation ecosystems, with close ties to Dell Medical School and MD Anderson Cancer Center that make translational work possible. And beyond the academic strengths, I was deeply impressed by the supportive and collegial atmosphere, where junior faculty are supported, mentored, and positioned to succeed. Austin’s vibrant, creative environment and strong connections with industry and technology further reinforce that this is a place where impactful research can thrive. I look forward to building my research and career here and contributing to this vibrant and supportive academic community.
