PhD Candidate
Madison Edwards
Madison Edwards is a doctoral student in the Department of Supply Chain Management
at Auburn University. She holds a Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain
Management and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Georgia Southern University.
Madison’s research interests are varied, encompassing technology in supply chain management,
agricultural logistics, humanitarian supply chain management, and other emerging areas
within the field.
Madison Edwards
mbe0022@auburn.edu
Madison Edwards C.V.
PhD Candidate
Charles Herron
Charles “Brock” Herron is a doctoral student in the Department of Supply Chain Management
at Auburn University. Before joining the doctoral program, he received a Master of
Science in Food Science and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from Auburn University.
During his master’s research, he worked in a microbiology lab and completed his thesis
on the connection of last mile logistics and less-than-truckload shipping on and food
safety and food spoilage. His research interests include the cold chain, last mile
logistics, and the connection between food safety and the food supply chain.
Charles Herron
cbh0030@auburn.edu
Charles Herron C.V.
PhD Candidate
Elnaz Hesami
Elnaz is a doctoral student in the Department of Supply Chain Management at the Harbert
College of Business, Auburn University. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s
degrees in Industrial Engineering in Iran, her home country. Before joining the program,
she spent one year as a research assistant at Ivey Business School, University of
Western Ontario, Canada. Elnaz is passionate about finding practical solutions to
real-world challenges in Supply Chain Management using both quantitative and qualitative
methods. Her background in industrial engineering and hands-on experience working
in a factory have provided her with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in
this field.
Elnaz Hesami
ezh0093@auburn.edu
PhD Candidate
Drew Hildebrandt
Drew Hildebrandt is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Supply Chain Management
at Auburn University. Prior to joining the Ph.D. program in 2022, Drew received a
master’s degree in business administration at Auburn University. Drew Hildebrandt
holds a dual degree in bachelor’s of science with a major in Supply Chain Management
and Computer Information Systems.
Drew Hildebrandt
alh0168@auburn.edu
Drew Hildebrandt C.V.
PhD Candidate
Medha Kanakamedala
Medha Kanakamedala is a first-year PhD student in the Supply Chain Management department
at Auburn University, prior to which she holds a master’s degree in Computer Science
and Software Engineering at Auburn.
Medha is passionate about leveraging technology to address contemporary challenges
in supply chain management. Her research interests focus on bridging the gap between
technological advancements and SCM practices to develop innovative solutions. She
aims to integrate technology into SCM to tackle modern industry challenges.
Medha Kanakamedala
mzk0177@auburn.edu
PhD Candidate
Matthew Reid
Matthew Reid is a first-year doctoral student in Supply Chain Management at Auburn
University. His preliminary research focuses on the role of Industry 4.0 in supply
chain management, particularly its impact on reverse logistics. His other research
interests include, but are not limited to, e-commerce, omnichannel strategies, and
ethics.
Matthew has over a decade of industry experience across various sectors, including
cruise lines, construction, consulting, cannabis, and disaster management, and has
held diverse roles such as project manager, supply chain lead, and regional director.
Before joining the Ph.D. program at Auburn, Matthew earned his bachelor’s degree in
Business Administration from Auburn University and his master’s degree in Supply Chain
Management from Michigan State University.
Matthew Reid
mdr0020@auburn.edu
PhD Candidate
Mary Ashley Stanton
Mary Ashley Stanton is a first-year supply chain management doctoral student at Auburn
University’s Harbert College of Business. Her research interests include autonomous
delivery, optimizing the last mile, crowdsourcing delivery, cyber security in supply
chain networks, and the intersection of behavioral factors and trust with cyber policies.
Mary Ashley holds a B.S.Math from USAFA, CO, MAS from Embry-Riddle, FL, and MSOM from
AFIT, OH. She has a 16-year background in aviation and is an avid mountaineer and
triathlete. She successfully completed her first IRONMAN in 2022.
Mary Ashley Stanton
mas0292@auburn.edu
Mary Ashley Stanton C.V.
PhD Candidate
Sid Yamalokonda
Sid Yamalakonda is an Auburn University Supply Chain Management doctoral student in
his second year of study. His primary research interest focuses on the role of crowdsourcing
in supply chain and logistics. Particularly in understanding how crowdsourcing can
add value to supply chains by improving finances, sales, and last-mile logistics.
His other research interests include policy and bottom-of-the-pyramid issues in SCM.
Sid has multiple years of industry experience providing software solutions for firms
in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors. Sid’s primary expertise is in managing
quality and regulatory software systems which adhere to FDA compliance. His experience
includes aiding key supply chain functions such as manufacturing, product serialization,
and traceability. He has a solid technical background with skills in programming,
data analytics, and cloud platforms.
Prior to the Ph.D. program at Auburn, Sid received his bachelor’s degree in Electrical
Engineering from National Institute of Technology, Calicut, India, and graduated from
Auburn University in 2016 with a dual master’s in Information Systems and Business
Administration.
Sid Yamalakonda
s.yamalakonda@auburn.edu
Sid Yamalakonda C.V.
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