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Young Alumni Awards

Eileen Van Aken and Camille Siskoy

Young alumni from the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering achieve amazing things. Each year, we honor ISE Hokies who show exceptional leadership and a commitment to the field. Learn about our departmental alumni awards and nominate yourself or someone you know.

2023 Emerging Leaders Award winner Colleen Ferlotti with Department Head Eileen Van Aken.
2023 Emerging Leaders Award winner Colleen Ferlotti with Department Head Eileen Van Aken.

Emerging Leaders Award

The Emerging Leaders Award recognizes outstanding alumni within 15 years of completing their first undergraduate or graduate degree in industrial and systems engineering at Virginia Tech. The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, June 19, 2026.

2024 Early Career Impact Award Winner Lauren Carpenito with Department Head Eileen Van Aken.
2024 Early Career Impact Award winner Lauren Carpenito with Department Head Eileen Van Aken.

Early Career Impact Award

The Early Career Impact Award recognizes outstanding alumni within 10 years of completing their first undergraduate or graduate degree in industrial and systems engineering at Virginia Tech. The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, June 19, 2026.

Last year's winners

Emerging Leaders Award

Oscar Herrera-Restrepo

Oscar Herrera-Restrepo is a global leader in vaccine research and health economics, with a passion for improving public health through data-driven insights. He currently serves as director of U.S. Health Economics and Outcomes Research at GSK-Vaccines, where he leads research efforts to demonstrate the value of vaccines for patients, providers, and payers —from development through launch.

He earned his Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering from Virginia Tech in 2016 (where he was advised by Kostas Triantis) and holds degrees in industrial engineering from Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayagüez and Universidad del Valle in his native Colombia.

Over the past eight years, he’s held key research and consulting roles at IQVIA, Evidera, and as a graduate researcher in our own department. 

Oscar’s research has made a powerful impact in the fight against invasive meningococcal disease, focusing on its health and economic burden, disparities in vaccination coverage, and real-world patient and caregiver experiences. His work has been published in top journals such as PharmacoEconomics, Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, and Expert Review of Vaccines — and has been presented at premier global conferences including the National Immunization Conference, ESPID, and PAS. 

Camille Siskoy

Camille graduated magna cum laude with honors from Virginia Tech in 2011 with a degree in industrial and systems engineering and a minor in leadership and social change. That same year, she was named Virginia Tech Undergraduate Woman of the Year and Greek Woman of the Year, recognizing her exceptional record of scholarship, service, and leadership.

After graduation, Camille began her career at General Motors, where she has spent nearly 14 years taking on a range of impactful engineering and leadership roles. From ergonomics to exterior systems, Camille has led projects that improve quality, efficiency, and customer experience. Today, she leads GM’s newly-formed Commission Vehicle Engineering team, which delivers customized solutions for Cadillac clients — a team she helped build from the ground up.

Camille continues to champion the next generation of engineers at GM, serving as lead talent scout for the GM Virginia Tech University Relations team and founding the GM Hokie Network, a mentoring and professional development group for Virginia Tech alumni across the company.

Her dedication to service extends far beyond her workplace. Camille has held leadership roles in the Zeta Tau Alpha Detroit Metro Alumnae Chapter, earning national recognition for her alumnae service. She has also served on several Virginia Tech boards, including the Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Division of Student Affairs Young Alumni Advisory Board, and the ISE Emerging Leaders Board.

Camille lives in southeast Michigan with her husband, a fellow GM engineer, and their two sons.

Early Career Impact Award

Oscar Herrera-Restrepo

Chad Demore is a dynamic leader in rail engineering and public service. Chad is a double Hokie and earned bachelor's degrees in both industrial and systems engineering and history in 2014. 

Chad began his career with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, where he led mobile work groups improving rail infrastructure across the country. In 2017, he brought that expertise back east, joining AMTRAK. Today, he serves as senior manager of engineering production and oversees the undercutting track maintenance program that keeps the Northeast Corridor, the busiest passenger rail line in the U.S., running smoothly.

Chad earned his master's in engineering management from Rowan University in 2022 and was named one of RT&S Magazine’s Top 10 Under 40 Rail Engineers in 2023.

Chad’s impact extends far beyond the rails. He currently serves as President of the Haddon Heights Volunteer Fire Company, council member for the town of Haddon Heights, New Jersey, and director of Awards for the Operational Excellence Division of IISE. He’s also a dedicated member of the ISE Emerging Leaders Board.

Chad and his wife Kelly have two daughters and enjoy hiking, camping, and being outdoors.