Education

• Ph.D. University of Alabama
• M.S. Texas A&M University
• B.S. University of Engineering and Technology (Pakistan)

Professional Activities

Rafay Ishfaq is the Reed Family Endowed Professor of Supply Chain Management in the Harbert College of Business. Dr. Ishfaq's career spans 18+ years in academia, following nearly a decade of experience in production and supply management roles within the global supply chain industry. Dr. Ishfaq’s academic tenure includes teaching in the Undergraduate, Masters of Science, MBA, and Executive MBA programs at Auburn University, Texas A&M University, and Loyola University Chicago. He is the founding Faculty Director of SCM Graduate Program(s) at Auburn University that is ranked in the Top-25 list(s) by U.S. News, Gartner, and Supply Chain Guide. Dr. Ishfaq’s international engagements include research talks and graduate teaching in Netherlands, Hungary, Belgium, New Zealand, Pakistan, Italy, France, Spain and Germany.

In his industry-focused research, Dr. Ishfaq explores operational and service issues in supply chain management, especially the impact of strategic planning and managerial decision-making on supply chain performance. His research has addressed these issues across various industries, including: omnichannel retail, e-commerce, healthcare, energy, automotive, and information systems. 

Dr. Ishfaq's research has received the Association of European Operational Research Societies' "Best EJOR Research Paper Award," and "Emerald Literati Award for Outstanding Research Paper" from the International Journal of Logistics Management. His scholarly services are recognized by the Journal of Business Logistics with the "Outstanding Journal Reviewer Award." His research has appeared in Science Direct's "Top-25 Hottest Articles" list and in Wiley's "Top Cited Articles" list over multiple years. Dr. Ishfaq has been named in the Top-25 Supply Chain Management Scholars List (Transportation Journal, Vol 63/2) for his scholarly work and research productivity. 

Dr. Ishfaq's research has been covered in TV News and podcasts including news articles and interviews on NPR, Bloomberg News, NBC-38, WTVM9-ABC, WSFA-12, Scripps TV News, as well as in print/digital media: VOX, RetailWire, Supply Chain Dive, Retail Touchpoints, Sourcing Journal, AL.com, OANow, DC Velocity, Supply Chain Quarterly, Beyond Auburn, Alabama NewsCenter, and Harbert Magazine.

Auburn University has recognized Dr. Ishfaq's scholarly contributions to the supply chain management discipline by awarding the Reed Family Distinguished Professorship. He has also received "Outstanding Researcher Award," "Recognition in Research Gold Star Award," and "Outstanding Teaching Award" from the Harbert College of Business at Auburn University. Dr. Ishfaq has served on the Harbert College’s strategic planning committee, graduate programs committee, professorship review committee, P&T review committee, and research committee, as well as on Auburn University's core curriculum committee, research grants committee, SACS-COC quality enhancement planning committee, and senate policy advisory committee.