Yu Gong

Biography

Yu Gong is a PhD candidate in Analytics at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University, and a member of the Quantitative Research Group at the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab. His research leverages optimization, machine learning, and control theory to explore data-driven environmental protection and policy design. Currently, his work focuses on the conservation of endangered marine species. Yu collaborates with policymakers from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and scientists at the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, pioneering advanced decision tools to optimize speed-reduction zones for whale conservation.

Educational Background

• Ph.D. candidate in Management, Analytics, Queen's University (2021 to present)
• Master of Science in Management, Analytics, Queen's University (2020-2021)
• Bachelor of Management, Logistics Engineering, Tianjin University (2015-2019)

Published Papers

• Wang, B.J.Hanley, N.E.Thompson, Y.Gong, D.P.Walsh, C.Gonzalez-Crespo, Y.Huang, J.G.Booth, J.N.Caudell, L.A.Miller, & K.L.Schuler (2025), Strategic planning of prevention and surveillance for emerging diseases and invasive species, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 122 (39) e2507202122
• Yu, D.Liu, Y.Gong, Target of Local Economic Growth and Total Factor Productivity, Management World, 2019,7:26-42

Software

• Wang, B. J. Hanley, N. E. Thompson, Y. Gong, D. P. Walsh, C. Gonzalez-Crespo, Y. Huang, J. G. Booth, J. N. Caudell, L. A. Miller, NA Hollingshead, K. L. Schuler (June 2025) Sample allocation model for surveillance of emerging disease and invasive species. Wildlife Health Lab, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University (Link: https://github.com/Cornell-Wildlife-Health-Lab/sample-allocation-model)

Conferences & Presentations

• Saving whales with optimal control, CORS annual conference 2024; Saving whales with optimal control, INFORMS annual meeting, 2024 

Awards & Honours

• Canadian Operation Research Society (CORS) Annual Conference, June 2024, June 2025;
• INFORMS Annual Meeting, October 2024;
• INFORMS Computing Society (ICS) conference, April 2025;
• Jeff McGill Graduate Fellowship (2025)
• Morgan Brown Scholarship (2024)
• Production and Operations Management Society Conference (POMS), May 2026