Zaira Pagan-Cajigas
Ph.D. Industrial & Operations Engineering
Data Scientist, Pratt & Whitney
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Zaira Pagan-Cajigas, Ph.D., is currently a Data Scientist at Pratt & Whitney PR and a mentor at Semillas de Truinfo, empowering middle school girls in Puerto Rico to explore STEM fields and cultivate leadership skills.
She earned her doctorate in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan, advised by Dr. Seth Guikema. Her research focuses on quantifying the impact of natural hazards on the functionality and accessibility of critical services and infrastructure.
Her research interests include data analysis, risk analysis, infrastructure modelling, risk and resilience assessments, outage forecasting, simulation, climate change adaptation, and probabilistic risk assessment.
Education
Education
Ph.D., Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan
Academic Advisor: Dr. Seth Guikema
Graduation Date: Aug 2025
GPA: 4.00/4.00
M.S.E., Industrial and Operations Engineering, University of Michigan
Academic Advisor: Dr. Seth Guikema
Graduation Date: December 2022
GPA: 4.00/4.00
B.S., Industrial Engineering, University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus
Graduation Date: May 2020
Academic Honor: Magna Cum Laude
Honors and Awards
Honors and Awards
Graduate
Fellowships and Scholarships
Bill Anderson Fellow, 2024
Society of Hispanic Engineers Scholar, 2023-2024
Rackham Merit Fellow, 2020 - 2025
Awards
SRA Engineering & Infrastructure Student Merit Honorable Mention, 2022
UM Student Academic Multicultural Initiative (SAMI) Award, 2022
Bonder Scholar Travel Grant, 2022
SRA Foundational Issues in Risk Analysis Specialty Group (FRASG) Student Merit Award, 2021
Undergraduate
UPRM Frederick W. Taylor IOE Department Award, 2020
CIAPR Award - Institute of Industrial Engineers, 2020
University of Puerto Rico Honor Roll, 2017-2020
Professional Service and Affiliations
Professional Service and Affiliations
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
Journal Reviewer (2025-Present)
Society for Risk Analysis (SRA)
Journal Reviewer (2023-Present)
Justice, Equity, and Risk Specialty Group Student Member, 2021 - 2025
Engineering and Infrastructure Specialty Group Secretary and Treasurer, 2023 - 2024
INFORMS at the University of Michigan
Ph.D. and M.S. Mentorship Program, 2021 - 2025
Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair, 2022 - 2024
Volunteer with a nonprofit organization as part of our Pro-Bono team, 2021
Society of Hispanic Engineers (SHPE)
SHPE UM Board Member, 2022 - 2025
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
Semillas de Triunfo: Mentor for Semillas de Triunfo, empowering middle school girls in Puerto Rico to explore STEM fields and cultivate leadership skills.
Kids Who Code: Facilitator of an online introductory Python course for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds across the U.S., building foundational programming skills.
Features
Features
William Averette Anderson Fund: The William Averette Anderson Fund supports the development of professionals who are working to reduce harm and suffering among communities that are disproportionately affected by extreme events and other environmental hazards.
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