Anil Aswani in outside setting

Research Bio

Anil Aswani is an industrial engineer whose research focuses on developing optimization and control methods that integrate artificial intelligence with systems engineering. His work applies data-driven algorithms to improve decision-making in healthcare, energy, and infrastructure systems. Aswani is known for advancing human-centered optimization, using behavioral modeling and machine learning to understand how people respond to interventions and incentives. His interdisciplinary approach combines rigorous mathematical theory with real-world data to build efficient and transparent systems that improve societal outcomes. 

He is a professor of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at UC Berkeley and recipient of the NSF CAREER Award and the Hellman Fellowship. At Berkeley, he mentors students in analytics, optimization, and AI methods that drive data-informed policy and design.

Research Expertise and Interest

machine learning and artificial intelligence, precision health, optimization, statistics

In the News

Time more important than increased funding when it comes to SNAP benefits

A new paper in JAMA Network Open, written by Berkeley Public Health Professor of Community Health Sciences Barbara Laraia, PhD, MPH, RD, Anil Aswani, PhD, associate professor of industrial engineering and operations research at UC Berkeley, and Matt Olfat, PhD, of Citadel LLC, finds that SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps) recipients who had more available time were able to prepare higher quality meals, which reduced sodium consumption for them and their families.

Teaching

Courses taught during the three most recent terms
2026 Spring

  • Development Engineering Research and Practice Seminar  [DEVENG 210]  

  • Graduate Research  [DEVENG 299]  

  • Master of Engineering Capstone Project  [ENGIN 296MB]  

  • Healthcare Analytics  [INDENG 156]  

  • Engineering Statistics, Quality Control, and Forecasting  [INDENG 165]  

  • Undergraduate Field Research in Industrial Engineering  [INDENG 197]  

  • Supervised Independent Study  [INDENG 199]  

  • Heathcare Analytics  [INDENG 256]  

  • Individual Study or Research  [INDENG 299]  

2025 Fall

  • Advanced Special Topics in Development Engineering  [DEVENG 290]  

  • Graduate Research  [DEVENG 299]  

  • Advanced Topics in Electrical Engineering  [ELENG 290]  

  • Master of Engineering Capstone Project  [ENGIN 296MA]  

  • Undergraduate Field Research in Industrial Engineering  [INDENG 197]  

  • Supervised Independent Study  [INDENG 199]  

  • Individual Study or Research  [INDENG 299]  

2025 Summer

  • Undergraduate Field Research in Industrial Engineering  [INDENG 197]  

  • Individual Study or Research  [INDENG 299]  

  • Individual Study or Research  [INDENG 299]  

2025 Spring

  • Graduate Research  [DEVENG 299]  

  • Master of Engineering Capstone Project  [ENGIN 296MB]  

  • Healthcare Analytics  [INDENG 156]  

  • Engineering Statistics, Quality Control, and Forecasting  [INDENG 165]  

  • Undergraduate Field Research in Industrial Engineering  [INDENG 197]  

  • Supervised Independent Study  [INDENG 199]  

  • Heathcare Analytics  [INDENG 256]  

  • Individual Study or Research  [INDENG 299]