Engineering professor optimizes emergency room operations
Tommaso Giovannelli's work focuses on mathematical optimization for various healthcare applications
Tommaso Giovannelli, assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering at the University of Cincinnati, is committed to improving emergency room operations. An expert in mathematical optimization, he is spearheading several projects surrounding efficiency in the healthcare system.
Tommaso Giovannelli joined UC's Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Industrial Engineering in 2024. Photo/CEAS Marketing
Many faculty members are on a direct path through engineering and academia. Giovannelli had a different experience. In high school, he dreamed of being an actor. He spent four years honing his skills in drama school going through intense training while starring as a lead in several shows and preparing to turn this passion into a career.
However, becoming a professional actor – and succeeding in that industry – is a challenging process. Thinking about the road that lay before him, he realized he wanted more stability than acting would offer.
"I always got good grades and was interested in mathematics, so I thought engineering would be a good choice for me," Giovannelli said.
His studies began at the Sapienza University of Rome where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering management and his PhD in operations research. His doctoral work centered on new simulation-based methods to optimize ER management.
Getting to work on cutting-edge research inspires me.
Tommaso Giovannelli. UC College of Engineering and Applied Science
In Rome, he collaborated with major hospital, Policlinico Umberto I, to develop mathematical models to study the opening and closing times of certain units to ensure patients weren't waiting too long to be seen.
"I got really passionate about this work," he said. "Before I was working on abstract mathematical models, but this collaboration allowed me to apply these models and see my research have a real-world impact."
Giovannelli came to the U.S. as a predoctoral researcher at Lehigh University and stayed there for three years as a postdoc and adjunct faculty member until he joined UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2024. UC's newly developed industrial and systems engineering program and the urban feel of Cincinnati were selling points.
"I like the city of Cincinnati. Coming from Rome, I'm a big city guy, so I liked the feel of campus," he said.
Tommaso Giovanelli is leading an array of projects focused on the optimization of healthcare systems. Photo/CEAS Marketing
Giovannelli is leading a handful of different projects at UC in mathematical optimization that tie into his interest in healthcare. With Amanat Ur Rahman, a PhD student he advises, he is developing a model that determines optimal appointment times to mitigate patient no shows and short notice cancellations. This project is a collaboration between Giovannelli, UC Professor Jing Shi, and University of Southern California Professor Karmel Shehadeh.
"We're using strategies like overbooking and better management of walk-in patients to make sure we can minimize provider overtime and idle time therefore maximizing the quality of services offered to patients," Giovannelli said.
Industrial and systems engineering lies in the overlap between engineering, business and systems, and Giovannelli's work showcases the potential impact industrial engineers can have on systems of all kinds.
Another project of Giovannelli's is the development of an educational game that aims to teach people about mathematical optimization, a process that uses equations to improve the operation of a real-world system.
The game, developed by Giovannelli and undergraduate student Josh Ullom, is a computer-based game that places users in a healthcare setting and explains to them what stochastic models are and how multi-agent LLMs can be used to improve decision making, demonstrating the impact of mathematical optimization.
"Getting to work on cutting-edge research inspires me," he said. "I read a lot, making sure I'm up to date on what's going on with AI to make sure what I'm working on is relevant."
Giovannelli is also researching how to use mathematical optimization to make more robust decisions against outputs from multi-agent LLM systems. This ensures healthcare decision-makers are able to safeguard against potential mistakes, as well as place more trust in the models they are using. PhD students Sepehr Namirad and Giulia Riccardi are working with him on this project.
Alongside his research, Giovannelli teaches two undergraduate courses in industrial engineering: deterministic systems models and probabilistic systems models. His favorite part about teaching is the impact he's able to have on his students.
"Seeing students succeed in class is a major accomplishment of mine. I strive to create a friendly environment where they can learn and ask questions and it makes me happy to see their success," he said.
Giovannelli is also exploring ways to bring theater-based activities into how he teaches mathematical optimization concepts, allowing him to seamlessly connect his current career path with his childhood dream of being an actor.
Featured image at top: Tommaso Giovannelli is an assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering at the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Photo/CEAS Marketing
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