The Columbia Engineering Alumni Association (CEAA) has named Professor Yaren Kaya, Lecturer in the Discipline of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (IEOR), as one of the recipients of the 2025 SEAS Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award. The award will be formally presented during Engineering Class Day on Monday, May 19, 2025.
Presented annually by the CEAA Board of Managers, the Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award recognizes Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science faculty members who demonstrate exceptional dedication to teaching and research.
The award highlights Professor Kaya’s commitment to integrating rigorous analytical methods with human-centered research, enriching the academic experience of Columbia Engineering students, and advancing the school’s mission to address pressing global challenges through engineering.
Professor Kaya’s teaching is informed by her research in large-scale optimization, simulation modeling, queuing theory, and machine learning, which is applied to social justice, access, and equity issues. Her work addresses complex societal challenges related to human trafficking, housing, and healthcare, using community-based, interdisciplinary approaches that engage multiple stakeholders, including members directly impacted by these issues.
