Dr. Karen Smilowitz

Professor

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Biography

Karen Smilowitz is an Operations Professor at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, with expertise in modeling solution approaches for logistics and transportation systems, particularly within commercial and nonprofit applications. She has been instrumental in promoting the use of operations research in humanitarian sectors, collaborating with organizations like the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Additionally, she is recognized as a Fellow of the INFORMS society and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Transportation Science. Her research interests include optimizing policies in low birth weight infant nutrition administration and designing community-engaged school district systems through a stream-based approach. Her courses focus on the intersection of data analytics and operations management, emphasizing social good and improved organizational missions through effective operational decisions. Active in her field, Smilowitz utilizes her experiences to bridge theory and practice, fostering greater impact through structured learning in complex settings.

Research Interests

Courses

Operations and Social Impact

Requirements for Northwestern University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
U.S. Bachelor's degree or equivalent
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume/CV
  • TOEFL/IELTS scores (if applicable)
Specialization Notes

Standard PhD requirements for TGS departments including Chemistry, Physics, and Sociology.