Research Bio

Rhonda Righter develops mathematical models and optimization strategies for decision-making in complex systems operating under uncertainty. Her research focuses on stochastic modeling, queueing theory, and scheduling, for applications ranging from telecommunications and cloud computing to healthcare operations and manufacturing. She is known for her analyses of redundancy and load-balancing policies that improve system efficiency, reliability, and fairness. Righter’s work combines rigorous probabilistic theory with practical insights for managing dynamic service networks and resource allocation.

She is Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at UC Berkeley, where she holds the Ronald W. Wolff Chancellor’s Chair and has served as department chair. A Fellow of INFORMS, she is recognized for her leadership in stochastic systems and for advancing optimization theory in real-world applications.

Research Expertise and Interest

stochastic systems, service operations, scheduling and load balancing, telecommunications, computer and internet communications