A faculty member in the Naveen Jindal School of Management has won an award from a prestigious professional organization for his body of work. He was motivated by witnessing his father undergo cancer treatment.

Dr. Mehmet Ayvaci, an associate professor in the Jindal School’s Information Systems Area, won the Sanjay Mehrotra Research Excellence Award from the Health Applications Society (HAS). The award recognizes mid-career researchers who have made significant contributions to healthcare practice through management science. HAS is one of the largest and most prominent groups within the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), a professional society for management science which brings together researchers and practitioners who apply advanced analytical methods to improve decision making across industries.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award, as it affirms the real-world impact of my research, which has always focused on bridging analytical rigor with practical applications in healthcare,” said Ayvaci, coordinator of the Jindal School’s new Healthcare Management Area. “This recognition motivates me to continue pursuing impactful research and seeking new opportunities to make a tangible difference in healthcare.”

While studying systems engineering and management science, Ayvaci realized that he was most driven by research with societal impact, and healthcare naturally fit that criterion, he said.

Having multiple doctors in his immediate family, healthcare has always been part of his daily conversations, giving him constant exposure to pressing challenges that need solutions.

“This environment, combined with my analytical training, made it clear that I could contribute meaningfully by applying rigorous methods to improve healthcare decision-making, efficiency and outcomes,” he said. “What further reinforces my passion is the universal relevance of healthcare. Whenever I present my work to general audiences or share it with laypeople, I receive genuine appreciation because healthcare touches everyone — either personally or through loved ones. Knowing that my research resonates with others and has the potential to make a real difference brings me a deep sense of fulfillment and motivation.”

With research that is applicable to both medical and management audiences through publications in leading journals, along with presentations and participation in academic and industry panels, Ayvaci strives to reach as wide an audience as possible.

“Beyond academic contributions, I have engaged in quality improvement projects with healthcare organizations, collaborated with healthcare executives and medical professionals, and contributed to editorials and continuing medical education content in medical journals that are accredited by the American Medical Association,” he said. “My work has also gained visibility through news features that highlight healthcare challenges and solutions for a broader audience. I am truly humbled and fortunate to be able to influence clinical practice through efforts such as these.”