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<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt 0in;line-height:136%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span style="line-height:136%">Future Optimization Graduate Student
Workshop (GradOpt), Lehigh University, August 17, 2026. <span></span></span></b></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt 0in;line-height:136%"><font size="2"><span style="line-height:136%;font-family:arial,sans-serif">For students considering a PhD and
curious about research in optimization, the Lehigh ISE offers a Future
Optimization Graduate Student Workshop (<a href="https://coral.ise.lehigh.edu/lios/GradOpt" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline">GradOpt</a>), a one-day
workshop designed for undergraduate and master’s students within 1–2 years of
applying to a PhD program. This event will introduce the students to the
exciting field of optimization and its impact across science, engineering,
finance, and AI. GradOpt is open to students from a wide range of academic
backgrounds including engineering, mathematics, computer science, statistics,
physics, and related fields. Lehigh ISE will cover the travel and lodging
expenses of a selected cohort of motivated students.<span></span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt 0in;line-height:136%"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span lang="EN"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tk7jec5Mne2GEL4jTuGTQQX8k4MMXxmcQyVk4rI3bXc/edit" target="_blank" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline"><span style="line-height:136%">Apply here</span></a></span><span lang="EN" style="line-height:136%"> to participate in GradOpt.<span></span></span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt 0in;line-height:136%"><font size="2"><span style="line-height:136%;font-family:arial,sans-serif">Participants will engage directly
with Lehigh ISE faculty, staff, and current PhD students through presentations,
panel discussions, and informal mixers. They will gain valuable insights into
research opportunities, the PhD application process, funding options, and life
as a graduate student. The workshop also highlights career pathways available
to PhD optimization graduates both in academia and industry.  <span></span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt 0in;line-height:136%"><font size="2"><span style="line-height:136%;font-family:arial,sans-serif">As part of the new Lehigh ISE
Optimization Science (</span><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><span lang="EN"><a href="https://coral.ise.lehigh.edu/lios" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height:136%">LIOS</span></a></span><span style="line-height:136%">) Program, students
will also have the opportunity to attend the MOPTA 2026 Conference, held August
18–20 on Lehigh's campus. GradOpt will shape the next generation of
optimization scholars!<span></span></span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt 0in;line-height:136%"><font size="2"><span style="line-height:136%;font-family:arial,sans-serif">GradOpt organizers<span></span></span></font></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt 0in;line-height:136%"><font size="2"><span style="line-height:136%;font-family:arial,sans-serif">Zahra Khatti</span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt 0in;line-height:136%"><font size="2"><span style="line-height:136%;font-family:arial,sans-serif">Luis Nunes Vicente<span></span></span></font></p><a href="https://coral.ise.lehigh.edu/lios/GradOpt">https://coral.ise.lehigh.edu/lios/GradOpt</a><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif"><br>Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering</span></font></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Lehigh University</span></font></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>