Introduction: 2015 Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in Operations Research Practice

Competition for the 2015 Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in Operations Research Practice provided the five finalist papers featured in this special issue of Interfaces. The prestigious Wagner Prize—awarded for achievement in implemented operations research, management science, and advanced analytics—emphasizes quality and originality of mathematical models and clarity of written and oral exposition. Researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, the University of Sao Paulo, and a major client organization—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—won the competition for their invention and successful laboratory testing of original methods that will guide the rapid development of better vaccines to protect against pandemic-causing viruses. The remaining finalist papers describe work to improve repair and maintenance of railroad locomotives, testing of new-model automotive vehicles, location of products on shelves in supermarket stores, and organization of a national postal service.