Troy, N.Y. — William “Al” Wallace, professor of decision sciences and engineering systems at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, received the 2004 Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) President’s Award for critical contributions to the public sector resulting from his research in information and decision technologies, according to INFORMS. Wallace received the award today at the society’s annual meeting in Denver, Co.

In a written citation, INFORMS acknowledges Wallace for nearly three decades of distinguished contributions to the understanding and management of urban service systems. The organization notes, in particular, his work on emergency and disaster management, ethics in modeling, operational risk management, and information systems for safe and efficient maritime commerce. The organization also credits Wallace’s research with helping ensure safer, more productive transportation systems. 

In his research, Wallace models situations, using computer simulation, and then sets up “what if” scenarios. Those scenarios are then analyzed using algorithms, or automated reasoning, to determine the most effective and efficient responses, methods, and procedures in a given situation. The model simulations can range in scope from a water main break to the September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.

“Professor Wallace’s research has been fundamental in the field of emergency management, and his expertise has been solicited for quick response studies on disasters such as the Exxon Valdez accident and the World Trade Center attack,” said G.P. “Bud” Peterson, Rensselaer provost.

Wallace received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to asses the emergency response to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. He was one of six “rapid-response researchers” who presented their findings at a NSF forum in Arlington, Va. Wallace’s assessment focused on the impact of the World Trade Center attacks on critical infrastructure systems, such as water, power, telecommunications, and banking.

Wallace joined the Rensselaer faculty in 1968 and currently teaches Decision Support and Expert Systems and Information and Decision Technology for Industrial and Service Systems. In addition to his primary appointment in Rensselaer’s decision sciences and engineering systems department, Wallace also holds joint appointments in Rensselaer’s civil and environmental engineering department and cognitive sciences department. Wallace has served on several national boards and panels, including his present service on the National Research Council’s Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment.

Previous INFORMS President’s Award recipients include Leonard Kleinrock, cited for his crucial role in the establishment of the Internet, and Edward Kaplan, cited for his work developing methods for evaluating policies to manage the AIDS epidemic and to prevent the spread of HIV.

About INFORMS
INFORMS represents professionals in the fields of operations research and the management sciences, and in related fields such as information technology and has more than 10,000 members from various countries around the world. The organization is dedicated to advancing the development and dissemination of all aspects of operations research and the management sciences. The INFORMS President’s Award was established in 1992 to recognize work that advances the welfare of society by members of the profession. The award is given each year at the fall national meeting if there is a suitable recipient. For additional information on INFORMS visit www.informs.org.

Contact: Mary Cimo
Phone: (518) 687-7174
E-mail: cimom@rpi.edu