From an early age, Leila Hajibabai was captivated by the worlds of mathematics, physics, and the arts. “Engineering felt like a natural path for me because it beautifully merges technical rigor with creative design,” she explained. This blend of art and science drew her in, sparking a passion for using these principles to create solutions that benefit society.
Hajibabai’s journey from a young student fascinated by problem-solving to a researcher at NC State is marked by her love for finding the best solutions to complex problems. “The way mathematical models can be applied to optimize complex systems, ensuring both efficiency and effectiveness, has always resonated with me,” she said. This approach drives her research in operations research and humanitarian logistics, where she focuses on improving transportation systems and making communities smarter and more resilient.
But Hajibabai’s work isn’t just about numbers and systems and people. She has always felt a strong desire to help others, which she discovered as early as fifth grade when she helped her teachers with grading and explaining homework problems. “My passion for mentorship and teaching began in fifth grade,” she recalled. This passion continued throughout her life, leading her to an academic career. At NC State, she combines her love for research with her dedication to mentoring the next generation of engineers.
“Academia allows me to continuously learn, contribute to knowledge and share that knowledge with students, which is incredibly pleasing,” Leila explained. At NC State, she found a perfect environment to grow professionally while enjoying life in Raleigh’s vibrant community. The university’s highly-ranked industrial and systems engineering department and the city’s welcoming atmosphere made it an ideal place for her to work and live.
Hajibabai’s research is more than just theoretical. She and her team work on real-world problems, such as designing transportation systems that include electric vehicles and micromobility solutions for getting goods and people where they need to go. They also tackle issues like food delivery to food-insecure populations. “My team and I develop approaches that not only balance solution quality with computational efficiency but also ensure scalability for real-time applications,” she said. This work is essential for the future of sustainable and fair urban development.
Hajibabai’s commitment to making a difference doesn’t stop at her research. She is also dedicated to applying her expertise to benefit the community. For example, she and her students have worked on optimizing fire station locations for a local fire department, a project that reflects her broader commitment to community service. “Beyond my research, my students and I are dedicated to applying our expertise in operations research to voluntary work,” she said.
Hajibabai is also passionate about mentoring students and encouraging them to think beyond traditional engineering boundaries. She pushes them to understand that when used thoughtfully, technology can solve real-world problems that matter to people and communities. “This passion for education and innovation drives my work every day,” she said.
Leila Hajibabai’s story is one of passion, impact and mentorship. Through her work, she contributes to advancing knowledge and makes a tangible difference in the world around her. She inspires her students to do the same, ensuring that her legacy of thoughtful, impactful engineering will continue for generations to come.