# Public Impact Analytics Science Lab (PIAS-Lab) at Harvard ![pic](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/saghafian/files/pic.jpg?itok=Vagg0QWB) The **Public Impact Analytics Science Lab (PIAS-Lab)** at Harvard, founded and directed by [Soroush Saghafian](/home), is devoted to advancing and applying the science of analytics to solving societal problems that can have a public impact. The lab's mission is to improve societal outcomes by developing, integrating, and using appropriate analytical tools in [Operations Research](/operations-research-kennedy-school),[ Machine Learning and Big Data](https://www.hks.harvard.edu/courses/machine-learning-and-big-data-analytics), [Decision Making](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decision-making), [Statistics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statistics), [Artificial Intelligence (AI)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence), and related fields. The Lab is currently mainly focusing on the healthcare sector and is collaborating with the [Statistical Reinforcement Learning Lab at Harvard](http://people.seas.harvard.edu/~samurphy/lab/overview.html), the [Harvard Center for Health Decision Science](https://chds.hsph.harvard.edu/), the [Harvard Data Science Initiative](https://datascience.harvard.edu/), and various other organizations, including the [Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/), the [Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)](https://www.massgeneral.org/), the [Dana Faber Cancer Institute](https://www.dana-farber.org/), the [Brigham and Women’s Hospital](https://www.brighamandwomens.org/), and the [Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center](https://www.bidmc.org/). The PIAS-LAB is hosted by the [Harvard Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government (M-RCBG)](https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/mrcbg/about/from-the-directors). The mission of M-RCBG is to advance the state of knowledge and policy analysis concerning some of society’s most challenging problems at the interface of the public and private sectors. The PIAS-LAB has access to high computational power and extremely secure data storage clusters. Specifically, the lab uses the FAS Secure Environment (FASSE), a highly secure multi-tenant cluster environment at Harvard that allows access to a secure enclave for the analysis of sensitive datasets. FASSE currently has 24 nodes and 48 cores per node. **NEW Open Postdoctoral Fellow Position Announcement (2024):** PIAS-Lab is accepting new applications for a new Postdoctoral Fellow position. More information can be found [here](/file_url/344). ![saghafianbook](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2025-06/saghafianbook.jpg?itok=nbSPBEyA) New book \[[book description](/file_url/401)\] on [Amazon](https://a.co/d/63IA21h) \[[Book Endorsements](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/2025-11/Endorsements.pdf "Endorsements")\] #### [Media Coverage Examples](/news-1 "Media Coverage") **AWS-HDSI Impact Computing Project at HDSI/Interview with Soroush Saghafian:** [**https://vimeo.com/1084840564**](https://vimeo.com/1084840564) [ ![AWS image](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2025-11/AWS%201.png?itok=2BaPXp14) ](https://vimeo.com/1084840564)[ ![Media](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/saghafian/files/1.jpg?itok=RdwwQDDB) ](https://saghafian.scholars.harvard.edu/news-1)#### PIAS-Lab Members A full list of Ph.D. students and Postdoctoral Fellows engaged in the lab activities can be found here: [Ph.D. students](/phd-students) and [Postdoctoral Fellows](/postdoc-fellows). ![slide1](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/saghafian/files/slide1.jpg?itok=Y8jSRwMq) ![Slide3](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/saghafian/files/slide3.jpg?itok=MQih-z0h) ![Slide2](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/saghafian/files/slide2.jpg?itok=kfVsetG9) #### More Information about PIAS-Lab Activities - Interview with Dr. Soroush Saghafian by Fast Company: [Using AI for Public Impact: Insights from Dr. Soroush Saghafian \[five takeaways from an AI pioneer about its potential impact in healthcare\]](https://www.fastcompany.com/91125138/using-ai-for-public-impact-insights-from-dr-soroush-saghafian) ![Five takeaways from an AI pioneer about its potential impact in healthcare](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/saghafian/files/p-1-91125138-using-ai-for-public-impact-insights-from-dr-soroush-saghafian.jpg?itok=x-l5-GS3) - Lab Coverage by The Harvard Crimson: [Harvard Kennedy School Public Impact Analytics Science Lab Receives $3 Million From DOD](https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/9/12/hks-ai-melanoma-grant/) ![PIAS](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/saghafian/files/020410_1326714.jpg.1500x999_q95_crop-smart_upscale.jpg?itok=ElXAM_iO) - Q&A with Dr. Soroush Saghafian: [Big Data and Machine Learning can Usher in a New Era of Policymaking](https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/science-technology-data/big-data-and-machine-learning-can-usher-new) ![bigdata](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/2025-06/bigdata.png) - Lab in the Boston Globe: [Patients and staff criticize state’s plan to close beloved children’s hospital in Canton](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/02/17/metro/pappas-pediatric-hospital-children-massachusetts-disability/) - Interview with [Harvard Gazette](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/04/mortality-rates-between-black-white-americans-narrow-except-in-case-of-infants/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Gazette%2020250402%20(1)&spMailingID=35882126&spUserID=MTA2ODUwNzE5MzgxS0&spJobID=2883049927&spReportId=Mjg4MzA0OTkyNwS2) on the 70-year study of mortality gaps between Black and white Americans: ![Soroush_Saghafian](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/2025-06/Soroush_Saghafian.png) - Soroush Saghafian interview with **NPR/WBUR** on the 70-year study of mortality gaps: S[oroush Saghafian.mp3](https://scholar.harvard.edu/sites/scholar.harvard.edu/files/saghafian/files/soroush_saghafian_study_spot.mp3) [\[](https://scholar.harvard.edu/sites/scholar.harvard.edu/files/saghafian/files/soroush_saghafian_study_spot.mp3)**NPR/WBUR\]** - Interview with the [Korean Newspaper, Chosun Ilbo](https://www.chosun.com/economy/weeklybiz/2025/05/01/VS3NVY6VOFEQFFO56CXDUHYV5Q/)**:** Medical disparities by region and income can be reduced through AI: ![saghafian](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/2025-06/saghafian.png) - Watch a 5-minute video describing an example of PIAS-Lab activities (in collaboration with the [Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/)): - Interview with[ PolicyCast ](https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policycast/data-analysis-and-intelligent-policy-design-not-good-intentions-will)on the role of data analysis and intelligent policy design in healthcare: ### PIAS-Lab Contact Information **Lab's Contact Person:** Catherine Kearns Phone: 617-384-7340 Email: [catherine\_kearns@hks.harvard.edu](mailto:catherine_kearns@hks.harvard.edu) **Lab's Mailing Address:** Harvard Kennedy School Mailbox 37 79 JFK Street Cambridge, MA 02138 **Lab's Twitter Account:** [@PIASLab](http://twitter.com/PIASLab) **Lab's LinkedIn Account:** [Public Impact Analytics Science Lab (PIAS-Lab) at Harvard](https://www.linkedin.com/company/public-impact-analytics-science-lab-pias-lab-at-harvard/) ### Recent Publications Download 6 citations download- [BibTeX](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=858446&content_filter%5B1%5D=826956&content_filter%5B2%5D=728256&content_filter%5B3%5D=702276&content_filter%5B4%5D=696396&content_filter%5B5%5D=696232&&format=bibtex) - [EndNote X3 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=858446&content_filter%5B1%5D=826956&content_filter%5B2%5D=728256&content_filter%5B3%5D=702276&content_filter%5B4%5D=696396&content_filter%5B5%5D=696232&&format=endnote8) - [EndNote 7 XML](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=858446&content_filter%5B1%5D=826956&content_filter%5B2%5D=728256&content_filter%5B3%5D=702276&content_filter%5B4%5D=696396&content_filter%5B5%5D=696232&&format=endnote7) - [Endnote tagged](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=858446&content_filter%5B1%5D=826956&content_filter%5B2%5D=728256&content_filter%5B3%5D=702276&content_filter%5B4%5D=696396&content_filter%5B5%5D=696232&&format=tagged) - [Marc](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=858446&content_filter%5B1%5D=826956&content_filter%5B2%5D=728256&content_filter%5B3%5D=702276&content_filter%5B4%5D=696396&content_filter%5B5%5D=696232&&format=marc) - [PubMedId](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=858446&content_filter%5B1%5D=826956&content_filter%5B2%5D=728256&content_filter%5B3%5D=702276&content_filter%5B4%5D=696396&content_filter%5B5%5D=696232&&format=pubmed_id) - [RIS](/bibcite/export?pager_style=no_pager&number_of_items=6&sort_field=bibcite_year--desc&&content_filter%5B0%5D=858446&content_filter%5B1%5D=826956&content_filter%5B2%5D=728256&content_filter%5B3%5D=702276&content_filter%5B4%5D=696396&content_filter%5B5%5D=696232&&format=ris) ### Working Paper Shakeri, M., M. Bijvank, and S. Saghafian. n.d. “[Who to See Next? Guiding Physicians With Time-Dependent Patient Selection Policies Under Shift Work](/publications/who-see-next-guiding-physicians-time-dependent-patient-selection-policies).” Shakeri, M., M. Bijvank, and S. Saghafian. n.d. “[Who to See Next? Guiding Physicians With Time-Dependent Patient Selection Policies Under Shift Work](/publications/who-see-next-guiding-physicians-time-dependent-patient-selection-policies).” - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/who_to_see_next-web.pdf) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/who_to_see_next-web.pdf) Jameson, J., S. Saghafian, R. Huckman, N. Hodgson, and J. Baugh. n.d. “[The Impact of Batching Advanced Imaging Tests in Emergency Departments](/publications/impact-batching-advanced-imaging-tests-emergency-departments).” Jameson, J., S. Saghafian, R. Huckman, N. Hodgson, and J. Baugh. n.d. “[The Impact of Batching Advanced Imaging Tests in Emergency Departments](/publications/impact-batching-advanced-imaging-tests-emergency-departments).” - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/2026-02/Manuscript.pdf) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/2026-02/Manuscript.pdf) Zhalechian, M., S. Saghafian, and O. Robles. n.d. “[Harmonizing Safety and Speed: A Human-Algorithm Approach to Enhance the FDA’s Medical Device Clearance Policy](/publications/harmonizing-safety-and-speed-human-algorithm-approach-enhance-fda%E2%80%99s-medical).” Zhalechian, M., S. Saghafian, and O. Robles. n.d. “[Harmonizing Safety and Speed: A Human-Algorithm Approach to Enhance the FDA’s Medical Device Clearance Policy](/publications/harmonizing-safety-and-speed-human-algorithm-approach-enhance-fda%E2%80%99s-medical).” - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF.pdf](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/2026-01/PDF.pdf) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF.pdf](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/2026-01/PDF.pdf) Dean, A., A. Orfanoudaki, S. Saghafian, K. Song, H.A. Chakkera, and C.B. Cook. n.d. “[Algorithm, Human, or the Centaur: How to Enhance Clinical Care?](/publications/algorithm-human-or-centaur-how-enhanceclinical-care).” Dean, A., A. Orfanoudaki, S. Saghafian, K. Song, H.A. Chakkera, and C.B. Cook. n.d. “[Algorithm, Human, or the Centaur: How to Enhance Clinical Care?](/publications/algorithm-human-or-centaur-how-enhanceclinical-care).” - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/centaur_web_submitted_0.pdf) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/centaur_web_submitted_0.pdf) Boloori, A., Saghafian, and S.J. Traub. n.d. “[Understanding the Opioid Epidemic: Human-Based Versus Algorithmic-Based Perceptions, Treatments, and Guidelines](/publications/understanding-opioid-epidemic-human-based-versus-algorithmic-based).” Boloori, A., Saghafian, and S.J. Traub. n.d. “[Understanding the Opioid Epidemic: Human-Based Versus Algorithmic-Based Perceptions, Treatments, and Guidelines](/publications/understanding-opioid-epidemic-human-based-versus-algorithmic-based).” - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/saghafian/files/draft_nonblind.pdf) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/saghafian/files/draft_nonblind.pdf) ### Forthcoming Feizi, A., A. Orfanoudaki, S. Saghafian, Wayne Martini, and A. Hodgson. 2026. “[Vertical Patient Streaming in Emergency Departments](/publications/vertical-patient-streaming-emergency-departments)”. *Management Science*. Feizi, A., A. Orfanoudaki, S. Saghafian, Wayne Martini, and A. Hodgson. 2026. “[Vertical Patient Streaming in Emergency Departments](/publications/vertical-patient-streaming-emergency-departments)”. *Management Science*. - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/saghafian-vpp.pdf) - [ picture\_as\_pdfPDF](/sites/g/files/omnuum11646/files/saghafian-vpp.pdf) [ More arrow\_circle\_right ](/publications)