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May 2, 2026

School of SSIE looks back on strong spring semester

School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering Director and Distinguished Professor Mohammad Khasawneh talks with Binghamton University President Anne D'Alleva after a stop at Watson College in November during her Listening to Lead Tour around campus. Khasawneh co-chaired the committee behind School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering Director and Distinguished Professor Mohammad Khasawneh talks with Binghamton University President Anne D'Alleva after a stop at Watson College in November during her Listening to Lead Tour around campus. Khasawneh co-chaired the committee behind
School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering Director and Distinguished Professor Mohammad Khasawneh talks with Binghamton University President Anne D'Alleva after a stop at Watson College in November during her Listening to Lead Tour around campus. Khasawneh co-chaired the committee behind "Together, Forward: The Vision for Binghamton University," a strategic plan to guide D'Alleva's new leadership. Image Credit: Jonathan Cohen.
By Chris Kocher
April 29, 2026

The spring semester at Binghamton University is nearly over, with Commencement just a couple of weeks away. The School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering at the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science is looking back on its student, faculty and research accomplishments.

New rankings

Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report ranked SSIE as the #31 graduate program for industrial/manufacturing/systems engineering in the U.S. (#22 among public schools). The ranking is the highest among all graduate programs at Binghamton University.

Also, the magazine ranked Binghamton as #33 (#26 public) in the 2026 Best Online Engineering Master’s Programs. The current online master’s programs at Watson College are all from SSIE: healthcare systems engineering, industrial and systems engineering, and systems science. (Online doctoral degrees in ISE and systems science are also available.)

SUNY Broome agreement

A new articulation agreement will create a seamless pathway for SUNY Broome Community College graduates with an associate degree in engineering science to continue their academic journey at Binghamton University. Among the programs offered is industrial and systems engineering.

New AI center

A record-setting $55 million commitment from a Binghamton University alumnus and New York state will establish the Center for AI Responsibility and Research, the first-ever independent AI research center at a public university in the U.S.

Part of the Empire AI project, the center will be supported by a $30 million commitment from Tom Secunda ’76, MA ’79, co-founder of Bloomberg LP, who is a key private sector partner and philanthropist involved in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Empire AI consortium. This will be coupled with a $25 million capital investment from Gov. Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

Research news

Assistant Professor Sadamori Kojaku and two colleagues from the University of Virginia published research in Science Advances that maps the landscape of innovation to identify disruptive studies and patents that challenge existing paradigms and inspire waves of follow-up research.

Researchers at Binghamton University — including Distinguished Professor Hiroki Sayama — are investigating the advantages and challenges of remote-work practices from different angles, leaning into their expertise in areas such as leadership development or navigating complex systems.

Assistant Professor Yuxin Wang is leading a team of researchers for a $254,737 grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to investigate the long-term stability and environmental effects of solar cells. One big concern is that solar panels use lead as a connector between cells, and lead leakage into groundwater can cause health issues.

A story in last year’s Binghamton University research magazine highlighted Associate Professor Yong Wang’s work on the possibilities of drone-based technology. Among the ideas are repairing solar panels and wind turbines, delivering packages, finding parking spaces — or ticketing you for parking in the wrong one.

Several SSIE faculty members were among those who received funding through the Watson College Seed Grant Program for Major Research Proposal Development, which is designed as a catalyst for accelerating interdisciplinary research, addressing pressing scientific and technological challenges while demonstrating a path to major research funding from external sponsors.

Faculty news

Assistant Professor Kimberly Harry is among the Binghamton University faculty, staff, students, and alumni included in the new book Health and Healthcare Systems: A Global View, published last fall by Springer Publishing. The book promotes international diversity and global equity by analyzing more than 50 countries across 13 regions, exploring strategic approaches that can mitigate climate change, improve mental health, address forced migration, and combat threats from communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Student news

Graduating SSIE students were among those at Watson College who were welcomed into Order of the Engineer during Engineers Week in February. Students who take the Obligation of an Engineer receive a stainless-steel ring to wear on the pinky finger of the receiver’s working hand as a reminder of their promises.