It’s annoying to state the exact same sentence at the start of this post, but yes, it’s been a year since I wrote anything. I am writing this post in February, since I had a lot of deadlines in January, and I couldn’t complete this post.
2025 has, in short, been incredibly challenging. As in every year-in-review, I elaborate on what went well, what didn’t go well, and how 2026 can be better.
What Went Well in 2025?
While 2025 wasn’t one of my more productive years, I had some success in making important progress in research and teaching.
Work
- Research:
- While I had zero publications this year, I was able to complete the following:
- Revisions/Re-Submissions of two papers: The paper on dynamic pricing, and the paper on pricing under manipulability.
- New draft: A new and exciting paper on new product development with learning spillovers.
- Advanced stages of a revision for the paper on resource-allocation in education that I am hoping to send it out in the next three months.
- While I had zero publications this year, I was able to complete the following:
- Teaching:
My MBA elective course on Operations Planning (SCM 551) went well. I had a bunch of incredibly smart students this year. One of the highlights of the course was a guest lecture by a Principal AI Scientist from Target on how AI is being used for their Supply Chain Operations and Planning. I also worked on a new case in the Operations-Finance interface, on valuing a firm based on its inventory data. The focal firm that I used is Lululemon, whose products I greatly love and enjoy.
For my core course on Operations and Supply Chain Management (SCM 502), I wrote a new case this year on flight delays due to the recent government shutdown, using ideas from inventory buildup and queuing theory. I hope my students enjoyed this case that bridges real-world with queueing theory.
Personal
- Health and Fitness:
- I ran a ton with the PHX Run Club this year. Running has become such an important part of my life outside of work. This was the year when I hit several PR’s in the shorter distances. I ran so many races this year, with the most notable ones being PHX 10k, Hot Chocolate 15k, and the Rock ‘n’ Roll AZ Half Marathon. I hit all my PR’s this year, with my favorite being the HM PR at 1:40:59. (~7:37 min/mile) Here are some pictures.
Phoenix Run Club Showing out at the Phoenix 10k - I also volunteered at an elite race – The Marathon Project – that took place in Chandler, AZ, and got to meet Jessica McClain, who was pacing the 2:37/OTQ women’s marathon.
Volunteering at The Marathon Project, and Getting to Meet Jessica McClain
- I ran a ton with the PHX Run Club this year. Running has become such an important part of my life outside of work. This was the year when I hit several PR’s in the shorter distances. I ran so many races this year, with the most notable ones being PHX 10k, Hot Chocolate 15k, and the Rock ‘n’ Roll AZ Half Marathon. I hit all my PR’s this year, with my favorite being the HM PR at 1:40:59. (~7:37 min/mile) Here are some pictures.
What Didn’t Go Well in 2025?
Work
- Research: The lack of publications in a calendar year is always frustrating. However, every paper of mine needed substantial work this year.
Personal
- Travel: Unfortunately, I couldn’t travel home to see my mom and dad in 2025. I am hoping I can see them soon this year.
- Health: I had to pull out of Mesa Marathon just two weeks before the race due to an extensor tendinitis issue. I am super bummed about it, as I was feeling so good this season.
How 2026 Can Be Better?
Research: I am optimistic about two of my papers getting past the final hurdle this year. I am super excited about an ongoing paper with my colleague on information acquisition and sequencing AI-enabled feedback in operational decision-making. More on this coming soon.
Health and Fitness: Yoga has been a revelation to me in late 2025! I am falling in love with the practice of yoga. I am hoping to get 500 hours of yoga this year. I also hope to get my 26 miles this year. Fingers crossed.