Wayne State industrial engineering student wins first place at regional conference

Wayne State University College of Engineering industrial engineering senior Marcela Sanchez recently took first place at the Great Lakes Regional IIE Conference, hosted by Purdue University. Sanchez's paper finished higher than work from students from University of Michigan, who placed second, and Purdue University, who placed third.

The award-winning paper, "Comparing the trade-offs between disassembly sequencing and buy-back incentives for high- and low-value end-of-life products," was based on research conducted under the supervision of assistant professor of industrial engineering Jeremy Rickli.

"The research was really complex, but I kept working on it with the support of Professor Rickli. I am really proud to have represented Wayne State well with my peers," says Sanchez.

The results of the research can help product and closed-loop supply chain designers consider the acquisition phase of a product's life cycle based on its impact on remanufacturing operations. With the win, Sanchez qualifies to represent Wayne State at the IIE Annual Conference and Expo in Nashville, Tennessee, May 30 to June 2.

Several Wayne State students participated in the IIE conference, a premier conference for industrial engineering students in the Midwest. In addition to various competitions, attendees can network with and listen to speakers from industry, take plant tours to learn about processes and potential employers, and start forming their own professional networks with other up-and-coming students.

Pictured above are the industrial engineering students that represented Wayne State at the conference