MIT designates Chris Caplice as its new senior research scientist.

**Chris "Dr. Chris" Caplice, a trailblazer in supply chain management, has earned a well-deserved reputation for his impressive contributions to the field. Over two decades, this seasoned professional has made a lasting impact on both industry practice and education, right here at MIT.

Fondly known as "Dr. Chris" by his legions of online learners, Caplice has continually pushed the envelope with his innovative educational approaches and cutting-edge research. From nabbing the MITx Prize for Teaching and Learning with MOOCs to the acclaimed Irwin Sizer Award for Most Significant Improvement to MIT Education, he has stacked awards throughout his career, solidifying his eminence in the world of supply-chain education. He created and led the MicroMasters credential program, which has since put the knowledge of over 250,000 learners from 196 countries to the test, with over 1,500 officially completing the full suite of courses, and tens of thousands more hot on their heels. These MicroMasters credentials are widely recognized for their value in boosting competency in supply chain management worldwide.

Sanjay Sarma, MIT's vice president for open learning, had this to say about Caplice: “Chris’s work has truly advanced the online learning experience – not only for courses in supply chain management, but also for other disciplines inspired by his example."

Before commanding the educational landscape, Caplice helmed the MIT Master of Engineering in Logistics program. Under his guidance, the once purely technical and analytics-focused degree evolved into a comprehensive course that encompasses leadership and management training, making it a powerful launchpad for alumni—now numbering over 750—working in influential roles within some of the world's largest organizations. The master's program born of Caplice's vision has provided the blueprint for the MIT Global SCALE Network, a graduate certificate program that educates hundreds of students annually through five collaborating institutions worldwide.

Educating the next generation of supply chain leaders isn't Caplice's only contribution to the field. Right out of the gates, following his MIT PhD, he devised optimization-based procurement models and applied them to create OptiBid. OptiBid was the world's first tool to leverage combinatorial auctions in freight transportation, paving the way for optimization-based procurement practices to become the industry standard and eventually be embedded within professional-grade transportation management systems.

Caplice's industry chops continued to evolve during his tenure as chief scientist at Chainalytics, where he crafted an econometric pricing model that exposed hidden costs lurking within shipper-carrier policies. This model, introduced to a consortium of competitors and collaborators in 2004, allowed the participating companies to amass better market insights—without sharing any confidential information. Today, the fruit of Caplice's labor has led to a "regional freight value" measure for every three-digit postal code in the United States, which industry heavyweights use to optimize their distribution, manufacturing, and other facilities.

Caplice's applied research has quietly impacted our daily lives in countless ways. Working with the world's largest retailer, for instance, he designed a stochastic optimization tool, which has resulted in the company racking up tens of millions in annual savings while slashing its planning investment time by 75 percent. Although these kinds of breakthroughs may not be immediately obvious to the end user, they make it possible for companies and organizations to create and deliver the goods and services we rely on.

As society continues to become more consolidated within globally interconnected urban environments, new challenges for supply chain management will inevitably arise. With his wealth of experience and analytical mindset, served as executive director of the Center for Transportation and Logistics, Caplice is well-positioned to tackle these upcoming challenges head-on. In his new role as a senior research scientist, he houses the power to spearhead a diverse range of research and education initiatives.

Dr. Chris Caplice's research in education has extended beyond supply chain management, inspiring innovative approaches in various disciplines.
The faculty at MIT, recognizing Caplice's influence, have utilized his educational strategies in their own courses.
The campus environment is greatly enriched by the public availability of Caplice's MicroMasters courses, which have attracted students from around the globe.
The alumni of MIT's departments, particularly engineering, hold Caplice in high regard for his contributions to their education and self-development.
Caplice's breakthroughs in technology, such as OptiBid and the stochastic optimization tool, have transformed transportation and logistics industries on a global scale.
Caplice's research initiatives aim to address the environmental concerns of the future, fostering sustainable practices within the realm of transportation and supply chain management.
The success of Caplice's projects has not gone unnoticed by the overall economy, as industry-leading companies continually seek to apply his innovative solutions to their own systems.
Introducing Caplice's econometric pricing model to the MIT Global SCALE Network has enabled departments worldwide to educate their students in the latest innovation-driven methods.
Caplice's work in education and self-development has been a critical factor in the development of the next generation of supply chain leaders worldwide.
In his role as a senior research scientist, Caplice will continue to push the boundaries of technology and education, striving for breakthroughs that will further revolutionize the field of supply chain management.