BALTIMORE, Oct. 19, 2026 — INFORMS, the world’s largest association for professionals and students in operations research, analytics, AI and data science, has announced that James J. Cochran and Enver Yücesan have each been awarded the 2026 George E. Kimball Medal, honoring their decades of distinguished service and transformative contributions to the field of operations research and the management sciences (OR/MS).
Named in honor of George E. Kimball, a pioneer in operations research, the medal is one of INFORMS' most distinguished service honors. It recognizes individuals whose volunteer leadership and dedication have strengthened the profession, supported its community and advanced the mission of INFORMS.
James J. Cochran, professor at the University of Alabama, is recognized for nearly three decades of service to INFORMS and the operations research and analytics profession. As General Chair of the 2005 INFORMS Annual Meeting, he oversaw the move of the meeting from New Orleans to San Francisco in less than ten weeks after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated New Orleans. Through his work to develop educational programs, professional initiatives and collaborative communities, he has helped expand access to operations research, particularly in developing nations and underserved regions. He co-founded Statistics Without Borders and INFORMS Pro Bono Analytics, connecting analytics expertise with humanitarian, public health and educational challenges. His service has also included editing INFORMS Transactions on Education and leading development of the eight-volume Encyclopedia of Operations Research and Management Science. Across these efforts, Cochran has helped strengthen the profession and broaden public understanding of operations research, analytics and statistics.
Enver Yücesan, professor at INSEAD, is recognized for his sustained service to INFORMS and the operations research profession through scholarly leadership, professional service and efforts to broaden the field’s reach. His editorial work at Management Science, the INFORMS Journal on Computing and IISE Transactions has helped shape scholarship in simulation and stochastic modeling. He has also contributed to the profession through leadership in the INFORMS Simulation Society and the Winter Simulation Conference, helping extend the conference’s international reach to Asia. As program co-chair of the 2022 INFORMS Annual Meeting, he helped improve the meeting’s structure and accessibility. His decades of professional service reflect a sustained commitment to fostering collaboration, supporting researchers and expanding opportunities for the global operations research community.
"James Cochran and Enver Yücesan exemplify the extraordinary impact that dedicated volunteers can have on a professional community," said Elena Gerstmann, CEO and Executive Director of INFORMS. "Through their leadership, generosity and commitment to service, they have created opportunities for others, strengthened professional connections and helped extend the reach of operations research around the world. Their contributions reflect the very spirit of the George E. Kimball Medal."
The George E. Kimball Medal will be presented at the 2026 INFORMS Annual Meeting in San Francisco, Nov. 1-4, 2026.
About INFORMS
INFORMS is the world’s largest association for professionals and students in operations research, AI, analytics, data science and related disciplines, serving as a global authority in advancing cutting-edge practices and fostering an interdisciplinary community of innovation.
With a network of more than 12,000 members spanning academia, industry and government, INFORMS connects thought leaders, experts, and emerging professionals who advance and apply AI, mathematics, analytics and other sciences and technologies to solve complex challenges and drive impactful decision-making.
Through its prestigious peer-reviewed journals, world-class conferences, industry-leading certification programs and a suite of professional resources, INFORMS empowers its community to enhance operational efficiency, elevate organizational performance and promote smarter decisions for a better world.
Discover more at www.informs.org
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