ABSTRACT
This chapter profiles MIT Professor Georgia Perakis, who has chaired both the Operations Management Group and the Operations Research and Statistics Group. In a detailed interview Professor Perakis discusses why she was attracted to teaching, her role models, the advice received early in her career, her preparation for class, her use of research in teaching, and the advice she would give to a new professor. The chapter takes you into Professor Perakis’ classroom in her course titled “Data, Models, and Decisions.” Considered the most challenging course in the Executive MBA program, the course includes decision analysis (including decision trees), probability distributions, covariance and correlation, linear optimization, discrete optimization, regression models, and dynamic programming. In this course, Professor Perakis uses a variety of strategies and techniques to teach the challenging material. These include clarity on assignments (which includes a team project on a current business challenge) and an emphasis on why the material is important in various aspects of business, including consulting, asset management, and supply chain design. Beyond the class, Professor Perakis has served in many leadership positions at MIT and has produced award-winning research.
