For Dr. Janeth Gabaldon, research is most valuable when it extends beyond the university and helps solve societal and organizational challenges. As a teaching assistant professor and managing director of sponsored research initiatives at the Supply Chain Management Research Center (SCMRC) within the University of Arkansas' Sam M. Walton College of Business, she connects faculty expertise with industry, government, and nonprofit partners through externally funded research. Her work explores how people and technology interact across modern supply chain systems.
One of her most recent efforts is to represent the SCMRC in supporting AR-STRIDES, an $8 million National Science Foundation initiative advancing data-driven transportation research led by the College of Engineering and formed by four other universities and colleges in the Arkansas ecosystem. As Industry Engagement Lead and the Walton College's lead researcher, Gabaldon works directly with companies including J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Simmons Foods, and others. One major component focuses on cold-chain operations, using sensors and thermal cameras throughout warehouses, loading docks, and transportation systems to monitor temperature and humidity as products move through the supply chain, through a grant awarded by the Arkansas Research Alliance. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities, improve efficiency, and strengthen the movement of temperature-sensitive goods. The broader initiative also explores emerging transportation technologies, workforce development, and data-driven decision-making.
“At Walton College, business is our laboratory,” Gabaldon said. “The opportunity to work alongside organizations on real challenges creates impact for businesses, society, and our students at the same time. What makes this work exciting is its relevance—the opportunity to help solve real problems and see those solutions put into practice.”
Gabaldon also recently co-authored Supply Chain 5.0: Driving Human-Centric Technology in Supply Chain Operations, a book that explores how emerging technologies can strengthen resilience, sustainability, and human-centricity across modern supply chains. Across her research, industry partnerships and teaching, the goal remains the same: turn ideas into practical solutions that create value beyond the classroom.