One key to the success of the MSIM program is our industrial advisory board. The board
members are leading industrial representatives including executive, president, vice
president, director, technical fellow, and chief analytics officer etc. from 30 world
well-known companies (1999-present). These advisors have made recommendations such
as professional training, emphasis on writing and presentations, exposure to industrial
problem solving and other disciplines which have been met by the program curriculum.
In fall, the advisors come to visit MSU campus for an annual Industrial Advisor Contact
Day (IACD), where our students have monk-interviews and review their resumes with
the advisors at one-to-one base. In spring, they also come to MSU to give industrial
lecture series to our students and have round table discussion with the students.
The industrial advisory board plays an important role to establish and maintain industrial
connections for the program. Furthermore, the specially-designed core course in industrial
mathematics (Projects in Industrial Mathematics (MTH 844) below) not only provides students with real-world project experience in spring but
also continually develops and extends industrial connections for the program for two
decades.
Projects in Industrial Mathematics
2025
Amway
Proposer/Liaison: Cody Dean and Danny Romero
Problem: Evaluating the Impact of Scientific Claims on Product Sales Using AI and A/B Testing
Project Summary
Stunio
Proposer/liaison: Tim Kramer
Problem: SmartMatch: Optimizing Real-Time Student-Job Connections on Stunio
Project Summary
2024
Catalyte
Proposer/liaison: Jun Wang
Problem: Predicting Job Readiness Using Artificial Intelligence, How Effective Can We Be?
Project Summary
Edelman Financial Engines
Proposer/liaison: Zhongping Gao
Problem: Automated Financial Data Extraction Using Large Language Models
Project Summary
2023
Proposer/Liaison: Cody Dean
Problem: Customer Migration: Do Customers Migrate Between Different Types of Product Lines?
Proposer/Liaison: Michael Friedel
Problem: One Step Ahead of the Cybersecurity Curve: Predicting Data Breach Trends Based on
Historical Attack Patterns
2022
Proposer/Liaison: Rick Reid
Problem: Making Healthcare Reimbursement Easy: Identifying Reimbursement Opportunities for
Healthcare Providers and Professionals
Proposer/Liaison: Kim D’Souza
Problem: K-Nearest Neighbors Problem for Moderately High Dimensional Spaces
2021
Proposer/Liaison: Cody Dean
Problem: Building a Better Business: Identifying the key factors that lead to higher customer
attraction, engagement, and retention
Proposer/Liaison: Kristine Allen
Problem: Maximizing Space Utilization and Efficiency of Clinics
2020
Proposer/Liaison: Chenglin Xu
Problem: Vehicle Test Cases Identification during Real World Scenarios
Proposer/Liaison: Joshua Schlosser and Gary Rudnicki
Problem: Developing Multiple Algorithms to Assign Work to Processing Associates in Workflow
Systems
Proposer/Liaison: Jerry Curtis and Roy Link
Problem: Applying Data Mining Techniques to a Population of Acquired Automotive and Commercial
Vehicle Brake Testing Data
2019
Amway
Proposer/Liaison: Cody Dean
Problem: Improving User Retention Rates for the Amway BodyKey SmartLoss Program
Proposer/Liaison: Rodney Taylor
Problem: Predictive Modeling of Municipal Financial Instability
Proposer/Liaison: Dave Fischer
Problem: Predictive Modeling of Sales and Shipping Costs
Proposer/Liaison: Caroline Kelly
Problem: Exploring Relationships between Space Traits, Occupancy, and Desirability
2018
Proposer/Liaison: Cody Dean
Problem: Developing a Smarter Air Purifier
Proposer/Liaison: Mike O'Neill
Problem: Improving the Customer HQ Visit Experience and Impact on Future Sales
Proposer/Liaison: Tracy Brower
Problem: Multi-Lens Study: Making Sense of Mixed Data to Understand Dynamics of the Office
Problem: Quantification of Wood-based Variability Compared to Process-based Variability
Problem: Profile Analysis and Transition Prediction of High Performance Off-Road Vehicle Dealerships
2017
Proposer/Liaison: Nicholas R. Cross
Problem: Speech Analytics with Voxai Genesys Speech Miner
Proposer/Liaison: Kevin Cooper and Yimin Liu
Problem: Data Analysis and Optimization for Mobility Service by Using Publicly Available Biking
Sharing Data
Proposer/Liaison: Tracy Brower
Problem: Examining Workplace Vitality through Deep Dives on Data
Proposer/Liaison: Henry Kong
Problem: Performance Analysis of an Electric Vehicle Controller
2016
Proposer/Liaison: Cody Dean
Problem: Data Mining Using Public Data Along With Internal Facial Data (FACES) From Numerous
Participants Located All Over the World
Proposer/Liaison: Jan Schiffmann and Henry Kong
Problem: Data Analysis for Identifying Bicycles and Pedestrians Using Radar Detection Signals
Proposer/Liaison: Gary Gifford
Problem: Foreseeing Clearly, Using Statistical Modeling to Improve Order Forecasts
Proposer/Liaison: Patrick Lukulay and Lukas Roth
Problem: A Risk-Based Approach to Pharmaceutical Quality Control – Extended Mathematical Modeling
2015
Proposer/Liaison: Scott Badenoch
Problem: Computational Optimization for Ballistic Obliquity, Blast Overpressure and Shockwave
Mitigation
Proposer/Liaison: Terry Niedermeyer
Problem: Creation of an Optimal Catalogue Mailing Scheme
Proposer/Liaison: Jennifer Kline
Problem: From Potential to Profitability: Key Indicators of a Winning, Profitable Opportunity
Proposer/Liaison: Luke Huelskamp
Problem: Improving Understanding of Average Daily Balance Method Over a Large Dataset
Proposer/Liaison: Patrick Lukulay
Problem: Risk-Based Approach for Regulating Medicines
2014
Proposer/Liaison: Yibing Shi
Problem: Crash-Relevant Vehicle Parameters beyond Mass and Footprint
Proposer/Liaison: Carl Vandomelen and Joseph Eckert
Problem: Evaluating the Low-Income Assistance Program Against the Budget Plan Option
Proposer/Liaison: Pam Harlin
Problem: Identifying Trends in Affinity Groups Which Impact Group Risk
Proposer/Liaison: Luke Huelskamp
Problem: Deeper Understanding of Average Daily Balance Method Over a Large Dataset
Proposer/Liaison: Dave Fischer
Problem 1: Mining and Characterizing Large Landfill Gas Datasets
Problem 2: Three-Dimensional Visualization of Landfill Gas Data
2013
Proposer/Liaison: Bruce Geist
Problem: Contact Mechanics in Automotive Design
Proposer/Liaison: Joseph Eckert and Carl Vandomelen
Problem: Assessing the Accuracy of Estimates in eBilling Process
Proposer/Liaison: Dave Fischer
Problem 1: Multivariate Analysis of Large Data Sets from Landfill Gas Collection Systems
Problem 2: Developing Predictive Models of Landfill Gas Data Sets for Process Management
Problem 3: Utilizing Data Visualization Tools to Deepen the Understanding of Large Landfill
Gas Data Collection
Proposer/Liaison: Joseph Klesney
Problem 1: Applying Short-Term Forcasting to Key Health Care Business Drivers
Problem 2: Measuring Health Care Growth in the Value Era
Proposer/Liaison: Huong Baker
Problem: Problem: Operational Analysis of a Product Line in the Office Furniture Industry
2012
Proposer/Liaison: Thomas O'Masta and Joseph Eckert
Problem 1: Revenue Operations Process Review and Enhancement - Bill Print and Delivery
Problem 2: Revenue Operations Process Review and Enhancement - Dunning and Collections Activities
Proposer/Liaison: Tim Rey and Paul Speaker
Problem: Using Neural Networks for High Frequency Forecasting
Proposer/Liaison: Paul McCarthy and Lan Wang
Problem: Auto Loan Take up Rate Model
Proposer/Liaison: Tracy Brower
Problem: Workplace Usage and Optimization
2011
Proposer/Liaison: Aaron Spiller
Problem: Segment Data and Fit Loss Distributions to Claims Information
Proposer/Liaison: Paul McCarthy and Lan Wang
Problem: Auto Loan Approval Volume Model and Take up Rate Model
Proposer/Liaison: Steve Korecki
Problem: Space Utilization Measurements of Commercial Office Buildings
Proposer/Liaison: Jason Allen
Problem: Medical Device Organizational Resource Benchmarking
2010
Proposer/Liaison: Jack Tower
Problem: Large Loss Predictive Model
Proposer/Liaison: Mark Wenger
Problem 1: Modeling Policyholder Longevity
Problem 2: Creating Territory Boundaries using Competitor Pricing Data
Proposer/Liaison: Tim Rey
Problem: Variable Selection in Time Series Modeling Projects with Large Numbers of Leading
Economic Indicators
Proposer/Liaison: Luke Huelskamp
Problem: Review of Average Daily Balance Calculation for Investment Allocation
Proposer/Liaison: Matthew Putti/Patrick Kruizenga
Problem: Predicting Product Mix and Volume In Order To Inventory the Correct Grades, Cuts,
and Species of Veneer
Project Summary
2009
Proposer/Liaison: John Williamson
Problem: Developing a "Retail Inflation Pricing Strategy" for Periods of Rapid Inflation.
Proposer/Liaison: Jon Williams
Problem: Determining the Leading Factors of Long-Term Customer Retention in the Insurance
Industry
Proposer/Liaison: Paul McCarthy and Jill Bewick
Problem: Auto Loan Volume Response Model
Proposer/Liaison: Doug Heilman
Problem: Rating Value of PPC for Mobilehome
Proposer/Liaison: William St. Amour
Problem: Strengthening Communities Through Citizen Data
2008
Proposer/Liaison: Tim Rey
Phase I: Replicating a Commodity Market Simulation Using Agent Based Modeling Techniques
Phase II: Modeling the Supply/Demand Dynamics in a Commodity Chemical Market
Proposer/Liaison: Matthew Putti
Problem 1: Development of Pricing Prediction Model
Problem 2: Wood Veneer Yield Analysis
Proposer/Liaison: Alfredo Cateriano and Gene Grabowski
Problem: Estimating the Workload and Credit Loss Impact of Collections Strategy Changes
Proposer/Liaison: Kim Norman
Problem: Revenue Analytics and Financial Forecasting
Proposer/Liaison: Bruce Geist
Problem: Development of an Efficiency Maximizing Tool for Custom Design of a Rocker Arm Joint
2007
Proposer/Liaison: John Williamson
Phase I: Developing a "Strong Store Profile" for Future Expansion
Phase II: Developing a "Strong Customer Demographic Profile" for Future Sales Growth and Expansion
Proposer/Liaison: Kim Hill
Problem: Developing a Full Cost Comparison of Offshore Sourcing versus Onshore Sourcing for
the Automotive Industry
Proposer/Liaison: David Field
Problem 1: Substructuring the Cost Evolution of Technology Products: Laptop Case Study
Problem 2: Descriptive ID's for Vehicles and Their Subcomponents
Proposer/Liaison: John Shull
Problem: Applied Mathematics in Win/Loss Analysis
Proposer/Liaison: Patrick Lukulay
Problem: Developing a Numerical Metric for the Quality of a Chromatographic Separation
Proposer/Liaison: Kim Norman
Problem: Development of a Cash Flow Forecasting Model
2006
Proposer/Liaison: Doug Roberts and Catherine Cusick
Problem: Cost Analysis for a New Criminal Justice Campus
Proposer/Liaison: David Field
Problem: Understanding the Cost Evolution of a Product
Proposer/Liaison: Patrick Lukulay
Problem: Determining the Maximum Allowed Error in an Analytical Method
Proposer/Liaison: Mike Wieber
Problem: Explain the Unaccountable Shortfall in Press Runs
Proposer/Liaison: Neil J. Bush, GM Business Unit
Problem: To be defined at a later date
Proposer/Liaison: Toby L. Hall
Problem 1: Refinement of Credibility Factors
Problem 2: Analysis of Data Used in Annual Rating Studies
Proposer/Liaison: John Shull
Problem: Uncovering Hidden Business Patterns
2005
Proposer/Liaison: Ewen Todd
Problem 1: Anthrax as a Bioterrorism Agent.
Problem 2: Survival of Pathogens in Manured Fields
Problem 3: Quantify Listeria Risk.
Project Report: Limited distribution by request.
Proposer/Liaison: Thomas E. Borton
Problem: Model the Economic Impact of Intelligent Transportation Systems
Proposer/Liaison: Toby L. Hall
Problem 1: Anticipating Monthly Claims.
Problem 2: Fine-Tuning Forecasting Methods.
Project Summaries
2004
Proposer/Liaison: Bruce Geist
Problem: Distortion Inside a Piston Bore
Proposer/Liaison: Colleen Serafin
Project 1: Clustering Human Feelings Using Neural Networks and Metric Topology for Small Sample
Size
Project 2: A Process Model for Analyzing Driver Performance
Proposer/Liaison: Charles Ballard
Problem: Optimal Income Taxation
Proposer/Liaison: Jill Morena
Problem 1: Optimization of Retro-Reflectometry Measurements
Proposer/Liaison: Ed Timpf
Problem 2: Predicting Revenue Loss from Alternate Fuel Vehicles
Proposer/Liaison: Michael Caveretta
Problem: Product Defect Diagnosis
2003
Proposer/Liaison: Daniel Padilha
Problem: Classification System for Fire Losses in Homeowners Insurance
Proposer/Liaison: Connie Hook
Project 1: Benefits of Self-Checkout
Project 2: Magnetic Ink Character Reader Preventative Maintenance Analysis
Proposer/Liaison: Eleanor M. Feit
Problem: Data mining to determine customer satisfaction over time
Project Report: Proprietary
Proposer/Liaison: Florence Nezamis
Problem: Model Future Emergency Services Needs
Proposer/Liaison: Martin Stryker,
Project 1: Test design using logarithmic distributions
Project 2: Cam design
Project 3: Patient transfer device
Proposer/Liaison: Michael Cavaretta
Problem: Product Defect Diagnosis
2002
Proposer/Liaison: Dr. B. F. Severin
Problem: Design and cost-analyze a soil treatment model
Proposer/Liaison: Mark Everson
Problem 1: What factors limit nimble redistribution of product lines?
Proposer/Liaison: David Scholl
Problem 2: Model the perception of car-body rattles
Proposer/Liaison: John Thomas
Problem: Schedule a forging operation
Proposer/Liaison: George H. Schriver
Problem 1: Improving the accuracy of a real-time planning tool
Problem 2: Projecting labor contract costs
Proposer/Liaison: Frank B. Dazzo
Problem 1: To design a clustering algorithm that defines natural borders of size and shape for
an AI morphotype classifier of bacteria
Problem 2: How many images of a microbial community are necessary to estimate its diversity
with confidence?
Proposer/Liaison: Jeffrey G. Jackson
Problem: Analyze the future profitability of the MSUFCU ATM network
2001
Proposer/Liaison: Frank B. Dazzo
Problem 1:. To design a clustering algorithm that defines natural borders of size and shape
for an AI morphotype classifier of bacteria.
Project Summary
Problem 2: How many images of a microbial community are necessary to estimate its diversity
with confidence?
Proposer/Liaison: Pat McCleer
Problem 1: Optimizing windmill alternator size: direct drive versus high gear ratios.
Problem 2: Optimize the Diesel versus electric motor sizes in hybrid vehicles to maximize fuel
efficiency.
Problem 3: Revise pulse-width modulation algorithms in automotive power inverters to minimize
the number of necessary electrolytics.
Proposers/Liaisons: Dr. P. Satoh and Dr. J. Madden
Problem 1:. How many 25 gm samples of ground beef must be taken to yield a 95% confidence that
there are fewer than 2 Ecoli per kilogram in the entire lot?
Problem 2: Model the dispersion of Ecoli from a point source via groundwater.
Problem 3: Grain exported to the EU can contain at most 1% genetically modified content. Design
a sampling regimen to ensure this purity is achieved.
Project Summary
Problem 4: Apply kinetic methods to immunoassays to shorten assay times.
Proposer/Liaison: Professor R. Isaacs
Problem: Predict the outbreak of the Grape Berry Moth using degree-day data.
Proposer/Liaison: Mr. R. Lambert
Problem: Model the evolution of crack density in solid rocket propellant using past temperature
history.
Proposer/Liaison: Mr. P. Sanchez
Problem: Instruct a numerically controlled milling machine to blend in valve seats into rebuilt
dragster cylinder heads.
2000
Proposer/Liaison: Kris Devarasetty and G. Watson
Problem 1: Reduce drift in a modern solid-state artificial horizon. -
Project Summary
Problem 2: Using vibration spectrum and torque, predict the remaining useful life of a gyroscope-based
artificial horizon.
Project Summary
Proposer/Liaison: P. E. Lindemann and E. Schertzing
Problem: Tollgate Wetlands Storm Water Retention, Model the uptake capacity of the Tollgate
Wetland when driven by statistical monthly weather.
Proposers/Liaisons: D. O'Brien and C. A. Simon
Problem: Perform a cost-benefit study of 12 versus 6 day sampling, with the savings invested
in additional sampling sites.
Proposer/Liaison: J. Siegel, Forensic Scientist
Problem: Model the shedding and persistence of fibers at a crime scene.
Proposer/Liaison: Ed. Kiernan
Problem: Design a clumping of States into groups with similar fee-for-service structure.
Proposers/Liaisons: Mr. M. Schnepp and Mr. D. Duckworth
Problem: Construct a generic disaster mitigation cost-benefit model.
Proposers/Liaisons: Ms. Alford, Mr. Swanson, and Mr. Syjud
Problem: Explain the unaccountable shortfall in press runs.
Proposer/Liaison: Ed. Kiernan
Problem: Given the negotiated contracts, predict future weekly claim patterns.