I.E. Graduate Student Recipient of E.J. Sierleja Memorial Scholarship

Photo of Hector VergaraThe Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), the world’s largest professional society dedicated solely to the support of the industrial engineering profession, recently announced that University of Arkansas industrial engineering graduate student Hector Vergara is the recipient of the E.J. Sierleja Memorial Fellowship for the 2011-2012 academic year. The Sierleja Fellowship is awarded annually to a top graduate student whose graduate degree research is focused on rail transportation.

Vergara's research is being funded by the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC) through their membership in the Center for Excellence in Logistics and Distribution (CELDi). As a major consumer of coal for their power plants, much of which is transported by rail from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming, AECC is interested in innovative solutions that will enhance their rail transportation delivery system. Vergara's research is contributing to AECC's strategy in this area.

Vergara is a Ph.D. student working with Dr. Sarah Root. Dr. Root remarked, “Hector is very deserving of this honor. He is an outstanding student and researcher, and is a very hard worker. I am extremely proud that IIE has recognized the excellent work he has done.”

Release date: 5/25/2011