Priscila de Azevedo Drummond

I am a PhD candidate in Industrial Engineering at Northeastern University, working in the Operations Research & Social Justice Lab under Prof. Kayse Lee Maass. My research develops network interdiction models to combat labor trafficking in U.S. agricultural supply chains, with a focus on how multi-agency collaboration improves detection and disruption outcomes. I believe mathematics is a tool for justice — and I bring that conviction into both my research and my classroom.

My path to academia spans three countries and many roles: middle school teacher in Brazil, financial analyst, entrepreneur, and now engineer and educator. Starting as a non-traditional As a student with a background in fine arts and finance, I entered operations research with almost no prerequisite knowledge, which permanently shaped how I teach. I know what it feels like to encounter hidden curricula, cultural barriers, and imposter syndrome. That lived experience drives my commitment to inclusive, transparent assessments, and active-learning pedagogy.

Research Interests: Network optimization · Network interdiction · Anti-human trafficking · Labor rights & supply chains · OR for social good · Decision support systems

Teaching Interests: Active learning in engineering · Inclusive pedagogy · Backward design · Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) · Equity in STEM

Selected Highlights

🏆 2026 COE Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award — Northeastern University College of Engineering
One of eight PhD recipients, university-wide, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering.

📖 Teaching Fellow — OR 6205: Deterministic Operations Research, Northeastern University (2025–2026)
Sole instructor of record for graduate-level OR course; designed full curriculum using backward design.

📄 Published in PLOS ONE (2024) — Multilevel regression model for detecting H-2A labor violations in U.S. agriculture
With Jafari, Bhimani, Nishigaya, Ding, Farrell & Maass. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302960

🎤 INFORMS Annual Meeting 2025 — Session Chair, Cooperation and Partnership in Public Services, Atlanta, GA

🎓 Teaching Certification — Post-Secondary Teaching Certificate (in progress), Northeastern University

Research

My dissertation investigates how collaboration between law enforcement agencies improves labor trafficking interdiction. Using network interdiction models, I show that multi-agency cooperation substantially outperforms isolated enforcement — a finding with direct policy implications for DHS and agricultural labor oversight.

Earlier work developed a Bayesian optimization decision tool for U.S. ports of entry to flag human trafficking at border checkpoints, produced in partnership with the UTRGV and published through DSI. At UFRGS in Brazil, I partnered with the Secretary of Security of Rio Grande do Sul to apply Data Envelopment Analysis to women’s crisis center networks, directly informing resource allocation policy for over 10 million residents.

Teaching

I have taught and designed courses at every level — from middle schoolers learning boatbuilding in an underserved community in Rio de Janeiro, to graduate students working through the mathematics of linear programming in Boston.

At Northeastern, I am a Teaching Fellow for OR 6205 (Deterministic Operations Research), where I designed the full course from scratch. My approach centers on:

• Backward design — learning objectives drive every assessment and activity
• Active learning — collaborative board work, case studies, and real-world LP modeling
• Transparent assessment — detailed rubrics and rework opportunities so students own their learning
• Inclusive engagement — multiple feedback channels, anonymous and named, to reach all learners

“I did like that she was very happy to teach this course — I could tell that she loves this topic so much, and I like that she was able to listen to our feedback to make the course better.” — OR 6205 student, Spring 2026 (TRACE evaluation)

“Your communication is articulate and you have a natural warmth that makes us feel comfortable. It’s clear that you care about teaching and helping us understand.” — IE 5617 student, Summer 2025

See the Teaching page for syllabi, course maps, and teaching materials.