Manuel Laguna is the Director of Global Initiatives and the MediaOne Professor of Management Science at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder. He began his academic career at CU Boulder in 1990 after earning his master's and doctoral degrees in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. With a focus on the intersection of computer science, artificial intelligence, and operations research, Dr. Laguna has published over one hundred works, including four books, and has secured research funding from both private industry and government agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency.In addition to his academic roles, Manuel is a co-founder of OptTek Systems, a Boulder-based software and consulting firm that specializes in optimization solutions. He serves as the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Heuristics and has held various leadership positions within the Leeds School of Business, including Division Chair and Interim Dean. Dr. Laguna teaches several courses related to business analytics, such as "Advanced Business Analytics Capstone" and "Business Analytics for Decision Making," where he equips students with essential skills to leverage data for informed decision-making in business contexts. Through his research, teaching, and industry involvement, Manuel Laguna continues to make significant contributions to the field of management science.