IEOM Society South America: An interview with Professor Vitor Mendes Caldana

This interview focused on the South American IEOM Society activity in student chapters and conferences. Professor Caldana played a significant role in planning and organizing conferences in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Paraguay in close collaboration with the IEOM Society. The discussion revolved around this role as a conference chair, his work with student chapters, and his ability to navigate various cultural norms. Professor Caldana’s command of Portuguese, Spanish, and English was very good. We discussed his role on the IEOM Society Global Council. Most importantly, Professor Caldana addressed the significant role the IEOM Society plays in students’ learning experiences by attending conferences and participating in virtual global competitions. His time attending conferences and interacting with representatives from many countries was enriching. Professor Caldana shared his experience with his students participating in IEOM Society conferences with their research papers.