Recent ISE doctoral graduate accepts faculty position

The Auburn University Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) is proud to welcome recent doctoral graduate Allison Ledford to the department as an assistant research professor.

Ledford, whose position will be based at the Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus in Huntsville, graduated with a doctorate in industrial and systems engineering in the summer of 2023.

Originally from Huntsville, Ledford said she had never heard of industrial and systems engineering before beginning her freshman year at Auburn in 2015.

“My first semester at Auburn, I took Engineering Orientation, and the moment they presented to us on industrial and systems engineering, I fell in love with it,” Ledford said. “What interested me most about the field was being able to apply the scientific method to engineer and improve complex real-world systems. The possibilities seemed endless.”

Ledford’s main area of research is digital engineering and manufacturing, specifically digital thread.

“I was able to work with some really great people to develop the first approach for the standardized capture, mapping and analysis of data flows for digital system understanding and architecture at the data element level,” Ledford said. “It’s called Data Element Mapping and Analysis (DEMA), which is currently patent-pending.”

Ledford added she also recently developed a continuous improvement methodology for digital engineering and has applied it with the U.S. Army.

“From that research, we were able to obtain some of the first concrete metrics of improvement associated with digital thread implementation,” she said. “I also assisted on a research effort with some of my peers, where we developed the 4R’s framework for the development of a digital twin.”

ISE Department Chair Greg Harris said the potential for Ledford’s work with developing true digital threads in data and information systems is significant.

“Allison brings energy and enthusiasm to everything she is involved with,” he said. “Her optimistic outlook and determined work ethic will make her a very successful engineer and researcher.”

Harris added that Allison’s role will also assist with the department’s growing model-based systems engineering (MBSE) program.

“We are growing our model-based systems engineering program, and having Allison, with her capabilities located in Huntsville, near so many organizations with MBSE needs, will ensure that our program is meeting the needs of the marketplace,” he said. “Allison will be able to manage projects and graduate students working with our partners to solve complex engineering problems.”

Ledford graduated Summa Cum Laude from Auburn with a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering in 2019 and a master’s in 2020. While earning her undergraduate degree, she was one of the founding members and president of the Auburn chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). In graduate school, she served on the Graduate Student Council and placed second in the Physna Thangs National Design Competition.

She described her time as a student studying through ISE as wonderful.

“What really made a difference in my life was how engaging the ISE faculty, staff and students were,” she said. “I would have never considered pursuing my doctorate if they had not reached out to me. The coursework was both challenging and fun, and I made so many friends and connections that I still have today.”

Working for ISE in Huntsville was the perfect fit for Ledford. She had already made a home in Huntsville with her husband and newborn son. Through an undergraduate internship for the U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal, she discovered a passion for defense research. She is also grateful she can continue her volunteer work with the Huntsville Learning Center, a non-profit dedicated to tutoring and serving children with limited opportunities in the Huntsville area. She also teaches middle and high school students about manufacturing and 3D printing.

The opportunity to stay involved with Auburn’s ISE department and become colleagues with professors who taught her was one she describes as “surreal.” Her goal through the position is to help establish a robust, externally-funded research program in the Huntsville defense ecosystem to enable the digital thread and model-based systems engineering while working with our amazing students. She also plans to develop the DEMA approach with software and training materials, allowing deployment across industries.

“The Auburn ISE program has so many wonderful things going on right now,” she said. “We are working to provide the best experience and education possible for our students, and the research possibilities are endless. There are so many opportunities to make a difference in the lives of students and the industry. I know the impact Auburn had and still has on my life, and I am honored to be able to play a small part in serving the university.”