Supply Chain
Research & Education

Interestingly, my professional journey into supply chain management mirrors the evolution of the discipline itself. In many ways, I feel as though I have lived the history of supply chain management within my own life — a history that began with mechanical engineering, progressed through operations management, and matured into the sophisticated, interconnected world of supply chain management. Each phase of this disciplinary evolution has shaped a chapter of my professional life, guiding my path from the technical foundations of engineering to the managerial challenges of operations, and ultimately to the strategic, human-centric, and technology-enabled complexities of modern supply chains.

I began my journey with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, where I was specialised in product and machinery design, automation, system dynamics, applied mathematics, and the broader principles of how mechanical systems are designed and optimised. It was during my internships, work placements, and early professional experience at Honda's part manufacturing facilities that I began to discover a new passion and set of capabilities within myself: a keen interest in the managerial and decision-making aspects of organisations, and my growing fascination in how decisions shaped organisational performance.

This early exposure to operations management in my early twenties marked the first significant turning point in my career. It was a gradual but confident shift as I moved from engineering into management, pursuing a Master's degree that allowed me to blend my engineering background with decision sciences to tackle managerial problems. Yet, the more I immersed myself in this discipline, the clearer it became that my passion extended even beyond operations management alone.

By the time I completed my Master's degree, it was evident that I belonged in academia — a space where I could continue learning, researching, teaching, while working with industry, and consulting practitioners and policymakers. Around this time, another important realisation emerged: while operations management answered many of the internal organisational questions I was dealing with, it was the broader, then-emerging, field of supply chain management that truly captured my attention and imagination.

The world I observed was rapidly changing. I witnessed global competition shifting from firm versus firm to supply chain versus supply chain. Specifically, in the post-globalisation era, and with the accelerating influence of the internet, organisations were no longer operating in isolation but increasingly collaborating across industries, geographies, and cultures. This growing interdependence — and the corresponding need for information sharing, cooperation, and integrated decision-making — made supply chain management an irresistible field of study for me. I was certain, even then, that this was a space where I could not only succeed but find real fulfilment, because not only did I possess the required analytical and managerial skills, but also a deep, authentic passion for it. By my mid-twenties, as I began writing my first academic articles on supply chain topics, I was already confident I had found my professional and intellectual home.

To remain in academia and contribute meaningfully to this evolving discipline, I embarked on a PhD — a decision I embraced wholeheartedly. My doctoral research was my first major industry project undertaken as an academic, and marked the beginning of a research journey that continues today - albeit in broader capacities and at larger scales. It was during my PhD that I developed a deep interest in the applications of AI in supply chain optimisation, resilience, and sustainability. I became particularly fascinated by how advanced analytics and decision support systems could be used to improve operational decisions, manage disruptions, and address environmental and social challenges in supply chains.

At the same time, I recognised a new, often overlooked, dimension in supply chain decision-making: the critical role of human behaviour. This realisation led me beyond the conventional boundaries of operations and supply chain management into the realms of psychology and social sciences. I found myself studying how individuals and teams make decisions in uncertain, dynamic environments, how behavioural biases and intuitions influence outcomes, and how effective decision-making could be achieved by integrating data-driven AI solutions with human expertise. As a result, my doctoral programme evolved into a double degree, combining technical expertise with psychological and social science perspectives — a fusion that now forms the foundation of my research and teaching philosophy.

Today, my work in supply chain management is not limited to decision tools, technology applications, or operational performance. It also addresses the human, organisational, and systemic complexities that shape decisions in the design, planning, and management of efficient, resilient, and sustainable supply chains. Much of my research has explored the interplay between AI capabilities and human intuition in achieving better decision outcomes.

It's been a journey that began with machines but ultimately found its true meaning in people, purposeful collaboration, transformative technology, and a lifelong commitment to learning.

Along the way, I came to recognise another dimension of my professional identity — a deep passion for leadership, strategic thinking, fostering collaboration, and guiding innovation. While I have always valued technical and analytical problem-solving, I have found even greater fulfilment in providing vision, shaping ideas, and mentoring others in multidisciplinary settings. These capabilities have become increasingly central to my work, enabling me to contribute not only as a researcher and educator but as a trusted leader and strategic advisor in academia, industry, and community projects. This leadership focus will continue to shape my professional journey, guiding the roles I undertake and the opportunities I choose to pursue.

Inspired by my own journey of self-discovery and the fulfilment I have found in my career, I made it a personal mission to help others navigate their own journeys in a similar way. What began as an informal passion gradually evolved into Chance & Choice Lab — an initiative where I now work with individuals to help them identify their capabilities, uncover their passions, and chart meaningful, purpose-driven professional directions

My passion for operational systems, decision-making, and human collaboration also drew me towards the world of dramatic arts. I have long recognised remarkable parallels between managing complex supply chains and producing theatre and film projects — both require bringing together diverse talents, resources, constraints, and expectations to deliver a final product on time and to standard. This interest eventually led to the establishment of Sound of Silence Productions, yet another expression of how every aspect of my life is connected through a continuous journey of discovering capabilities, nurturing passions, and applying disciplinary knowledge in areas I deeply care about.