ISE Seminar Calendar

Title: Understanding Aging and Cognitive Trajectories with Data Analytics, Human Physiology, and Systems Engineering

Abstract: Aging represents one of the most complex and consequential challenges of the 21st century. Cognitive trajectories are shaped by nonlinear interactions among physiological processes, environmental exposures, behavioral patterns, and healthcare interventions. Understanding and influencing these trajectories requires a rigorous systems engineering framework capable of integrating multiscale data, modeling dynamic feedback mechanisms, and enabling adaptive decision-making.

Dr. Hu will present a systems-driven approach to aging and cognitive health that bridges data analytics, human physiology, and systems engineering. Her research develops mathematical models that fuse longitudinal clinical data, wearable sensor streams, neurocognitive assessments, and population-level datasets to characterize heterogeneity in cognitive aging pathways. By leveraging optimization, simulation, and machine learning methodologies, her work moves beyond static risk prediction toward dynamic trajectory modeling and early signal detection. By transforming fragmented biomedical and behavioral data into integrative, actionable intelligence, we can redefine how cognitive health is monitored, managed, and optimized — at both individual and population scales.

Bio: Dr. Guiping Hu is Professor and Chair of the Department of Systems Engineering and Operations Research at George Mason University. From 2023 to 2025, she served as School Head of Industrial Engineering and Management and held the Donald & Cathey Humphreys Chair at Oklahoma State University. From 2021 to 2022, she served as Head of the Department of Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology. She was previously Associate Chair of the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering at Iowa State University, where she was a faculty member from 2009 to 2023. Dr. Hu’s research focuses on operations research and data analytics with applications in healthcare, bioinformatics, supply chain design, manufacturing systems, and sustainable agriculture. Dr. Hu’s research has been supported by NSF, USDA, DOE, and DOD with nearly $12M funding. She has published more than 100 journal articles and 50 conference papers, with over 6,300 citations. Dr. Hu is a Fellow of IISE, an ELATES Fellow, and an NSF I-Aspire Leadership Academy Fellow.