Andrew Trapp

Industrial and Systems Engineering
The Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Endowed Chair in Industrial and Systems Engineering
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About

Dr. Andrew Trapp is the Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Endowed Chair in Industrial and Systems Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He develops mathematical optimization and machine learning methods to support better allocation of limited resources in systems that serve underserved communities, with applications in nonprofit, public sector, and humanitarian settings. A consistent theme of his work is to bridge methodological rigor and real-world implementation by translating analytics into decision support that organizations actually deploy in practice.

Education & Training

PhD, Industrial Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2011

Research

I study integer, nonlinear, and stochastic optimization for resource allocation, matching, and planning decisions. I integrate machine learning with optimization, including predict-and-prescribe approaches, to improve decisions under uncertainty. A central theme is designing tools that incorporate stakeholder judgment and preferences. Applications include migration and refugee systems, child welfare, health and social services, educational placement, and opportunity matching. A key goal is to develop analytically rigorous and practically usable support for public and nonprofit organizations.

Primary Research Focus
Developing human-centered optimization and data science for public and nonprofit systems, translating rigorous models into deployable decision support systems
Other Focus Areas
  • Matching, allocation, routing, and market design in societally consequential settings
  • Stakeholder-centered analytics and preference-sensitive modeling
  • Deployment-oriented platforms for public, nonprofit, and educational systems
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