2026 Best 40-Under-40 Business Professors: Sina Moghadas Khorasani, Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management  

 

Sina Moghadas Khorasani
Vanderbilt University
Owen Graduate School of Management 

“Professor Sina Khorasani deserves this nomination because of the profound impact he has had on his students’ academic and professional trajectories. Through his courses in Predictive Analytics and Business Project Management, he not only teaches technical concepts but also inspires students to see new possibilities for their careers. Personally, his teaching completely transformed my professional outlook. Before taking his class, I never imagined I could transition into a technology-driven role. His practical lectures, hands-on analytics exercises, and ability to simplify complex concepts unlocked my interest in analytics and data-driven decision making. Today, I am thriving in this space and even pursuing project management certification, a path directly inspired by the skills and confidence I gained from his Business Project Management course. Professor Khorasani’s influence goes beyond the classroom, he empowers students to build careers in emerging fields and equips them with the analytical mindset needed to succeed in today’s data-driven world.” – Obi Ogbuagu

Sina Moghadas Khorasani, 39, is an Assistant Professor of Operations Management and Quantitative Methods at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management. His research focuses on innovation management, information design, competition and incentives, supply chain management, and predictive/prescriptive analytics, with a program centered on finding actionable, impactful solutions to improve innovation and procurement operations, especially in competitive environments and under time and budget pressures. 

Prior to joining Vanderbilt, Sina was an Assistant Professor of Operations, Supply Chain Management, and Business Analytics at the University of Dayton’s School of Business. Before that, he was a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Innovation, Technology, and Operations at the University of California San Diego’s Rady School of Management. He holds a Ph.D. in Operations Management from the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, a Master of Engineering Management from University Putra Malaysia, and a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Sharif University of Technology. 

Sina’s research has been published in leading academic journals, including The Review of Economic Studies, Operations Research, and Manufacturing & Service Operations Management. His paper “Optimal Feedback in Contests” was featured in Kellogg Insight, while “Screening in Multistage Contests” was selected as the INFORMS TIMES paper of the month. 

At Vanderbilt Owen, Sina designed and launched two MBA electives: “Predictive Analytics” and “Business Project Management.” Both courses are designed to be hands-on and highly interactive, with strong emphasis on experiential learning, AI integration, industry applications, and data-driven decision making. Previously, he developed and taught Advanced Business Analytics using Python at Dayton, and Business Project Management at UC San Diego. His courses regularly receive high instructor ratings. 

Sina serves as Vice President of Community Engagement and Growth for the INFORMS Technology, Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship Section (TIMES), where he previously served as a Board Member at Large. He has served as a referee for top economics and operations management journals, and as a judge for several dissertation and paper competitions. His honors include the 2025 Management Science Meritorious Service Award, the David Eccles School of Business Doctoral Student Teaching Excellence Award, and the OIS Department Doctoral Student Teaching Excellence Award. 

BACKGROUND 

At current institution since what year? 2024 

Education: Ph.D. in Operations Management, David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, Master of Engineering Management, University Putra Malaysia, and B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Iran. 

List of MBA/graduate business courses you currently teach: Predictive Analytics and Business Project Management. 

TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR 

I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when I started my PhD. For as long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to be a professor, meaning someone who does research, works on hard problems, and tries to prove things. But it was during my PhD, as I started learning about different concepts and ideas and began developing my own research interests, that I knew for sure this was the life I wanted. I am grateful I get to live that dream every day. 

What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it? These days, I am working with my coauthors on finding and characterizing optimal information acquisition and disclosure policies in supply chains. In particular, we study situations where downstream firms, such as retailers or platforms, decide when and what information to share with upstream firms to achieve their goals. The most significant discovery from this work is that information is not just something firms pass along; it is a strategic commodity whose flow must be managed carefully. As firms increasingly use advanced forecasting systems and digital platforms to coordinate decisions, understanding when information should be acquired, how precisely it should be disclosed, and how these choices depend on supply chain structure becomes critical. 

If I weren’t a business school professor, I would probably be an AI product/program manager. Essentially, I would want to work in the areas that I teach now. 

What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? I sincerely want my students to succeed. With that in mind, I structure each session so students learn best practices, get a chance to apply those skills, and develop a solid managerial understanding of each topic. Throughout, I try to walk the fine line between technical rigor and managerial relevance. My goal is not to overwhelm students with technical details, but to equip them with the tools and confidence to learn, execute, and lead.  

 Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: That it is a 24/7 job with no real weekends or breaks. Even when I am physically with my family, if my mind is trying to solve a problem in the background, I am not fully present. I really enjoy this process, especially when the proof finally works on paper, but I am not sure my wife and kids enjoy my profession as much as I do. 

Professor I most admire and why: I deeply admire my PhD and postdoc advisors. They have had the greatest influence on my academic life, both in research and teaching, and I feel very fortunate to have been trained by them. What inspires me most is their passion for doing high-impact research while staying humble, kind, and supportive. That is the kind of professor and mentor I hope to be. 

What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? What I enjoy most about teaching MBA students at Owen is that they take my electives with a clear purpose. They know exactly what they want from the course and how the material can help them build/grow their careers. I appreciate their professionalism, their goal-oriented mindset, and their desire to learn managerial/practical insights that help them stand out. 

What is most challenging? Teaching a large section of professional, goal-oriented students is very rewarding and at the same time challenging. The challenging part is that they can tell right away whether the content is valuable to them. Nothing is worse for a professor than feeling like students are not paying attention. Keeping their attention requires content that is relevant, practical, and accessible. I think every MBA professor must have a clear teaching plan for every minute of class. 

When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as fair. While every school has grading policies we must follow, I hope my students understand that what ultimately matters is their learning, not just their grades. The true return on their investment should be the knowledge and skills they gain, not the letter on their transcript. 

LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM 

What are your hobbies? I enjoy spending time with my two daughters, playing tennis, running, and swimming. 

How will you spend your summer? It is the golden time for research: working on new research ideas, writing and submitting new papers, and revising papers that are moving through the publication process. 

Favorite place(s) to vacation: Anywhere with a pool or beach where my wife and I can relax while the kids play.  

Favorite book(s): I am currently reading two business books: Insight-Driven Problem Solving: Analytics Science to Improve the World, and Powered By Projects: Leading Your Organization In The Transformation Age 

What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? I used to watch a lot of movies, but these days I have fallen behind. During our family TV time, my daughters love watching America’s Got Talent with us. The performances are incredible, and it is one of our favorite ways to spend time as a family.  

What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? I appreciate all types of music, but my favorite is classical music. I enjoy many composers, but my favorite piece to listen to while working is Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, especially the second movement. As for why, it is simply beautiful. 

THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS 

If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of hands-on, project-based learning where students work on real problems with real companies. Lectures should set the foundation, but the deepest learning happens when students apply ideas to real-world situations. 

In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at integrating AI thoughtfully. Many firms are rushing to adopt the latest tools without first asking what problem they are solving or what data they actually need. Strategy should drive technology, not the other way around.  

I’m grateful for my family, who give me purpose; my mentors and collaborators, who give me direction; and the opportunity to do work I love every day. 

DON’T MISS: THE ENTIRE 2026 ROSTER OF THE WORLD’S BEST 40-UNDER-40 GRADUATE BUSINESS PROFESSORS 

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