Zihan Chai
Ph.D student at Department of Information, Risk, and Operations Management (IROM), McCombs School of Business, UT Austin.
About Me
Hello! I'm Zihan, a OM student currently under the advisory of Dr. Diwakar Gupta.
My research interest lies in healthcare operations, where I apply both analytical and empirical methods to help improve the efficiency, quality, and accessibility of health services for better patient outcomes.
My current research focuses on the kidney transplantation system, investigating how it is organically evolving in response to recent policy changes. Specifically, I am assessing whether current practices are socially beneficial or detrimental.
Research
Teaching Experience
OM 386: Supply Chain Management
Role: Teaching Assistant
Semesters: Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Fall 2025
An intermediate MBA level course providing a foundational understanding of operations management principles, including process analysis, supply chain logistics, and quality control techniques.
BA 280N: Supply Chain Management
Role: Teaching Assistant
Semesters: Spring 2024
An MBA-level course providing an introduction to the issues and decisions involved in the production of goods and services. Focuses on designing, operating, controlling, and improving the systems that accomplish production.
OM 372T/386: Sustainable Operations
Role: Teaching Assistant
Semesters: Spring 2025
An undergraduate/MBA-level course examining how business operations can address modern environmental challenges, focusing on practical skills in emissions reporting, sustainable supply chains, and business model innovation.
Get In Touch
Whether you have a question or just want to say hi, feel free to reach out.
Contact me