MIT Supply Chain Frontiers

Global food systems produce more than enough to feed the world—yet nearly one-third of all food is lost or wasted. Much of that loss happens far upstream, driven by perishability, cold chain failures, infrastructure gaps, climate pressures, and supply chain inefficiencies that span continents. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Mejía, founder and director of the MIT Emerging Market Economies Logistics Lab, along with Drs. David Hidalgo and Mauricio Gámez, researchers who model solutions for supply chain issues. They unpack why food supply chains are uniquely vulnerable to disruption, especially in emerging markets, and where the biggest opportunities exist to reduce loss. From circular economy models and food recovery strategies to AI-driven forecasting, optimization, and community-based distribution networks, the conversation explores how better logistics, smarter data, and cross-sector collaboration can help redesign food supply chains that are more resilient, sustainable, and equitable.

Yossi Sheffi, a leader in supply chain logistics, is joined by Josh Hodges and Livia Shmavonian, both U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commissioners. They delve into the alarming trend of China weaponizing supply chains, particularly with semiconductors and critical minerals. The discussion reveals how U.S. dependency poses strategic vulnerabilities while emphasizing the need for innovation and domestic manufacturing. Listeners gain insights into how companies can navigate tariffs and the importance of coordinated efforts to maintain competitiveness and national security.

As global supply chains face new waves of political uncertainty, regulatory change, and economic pressure, one thing remains clear: sustainability still matters. The latest State of Supply Chain Sustainability Report from the MIT Sustainable Supply Chain Lab reveals that despite federal environmental rollbacks and shifting investor priorities, companies continue to see sustainability as central to long-term success. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Josué Velázquez Martínez, director of the lab, and Dr. Sreedevi Rajagopalan, a research scientist in the lab. They unpack key findings from this year’s survey—why 80% of firms say sustainability is vital to their future, where companies stand in tracking Scope 3 emissions, and which energy sources could redefine sustainable freight transportation. From biofuels and hydrogen to the data behind carbon accounting, the conversation explores what’s driving progress and why collaboration may be the most necessary sustainability strategy of all.

Emerging markets play an essential role in global supply chains, providing much of the food, raw materials, and labor that keep the world running. But they also face unique challenges: fragmented systems, limited infrastructure, and volatile economies. At the same time, these regions hold immense potential for innovation, resilience, and growth if their logistics systems can adapt to meet rising pressures from climate change, geopolitical shocks, and shifting consumer demands. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Mejía, Founder and Director of the MIT Emerging Market Economies Logistics Lab (EMeL), along with Research Affiliates Dr. Edgar Gutierrez and Isabel Agudelo. They discuss the launch of this new lab at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, its mission to strengthen supply chains across the Global South, and the human decisions that ultimately shape logistics outcomes. From the fate of mangoes in Ghana to cobalt in the Congo, the conversation reveals why emerging markets matter to everyone—and how building trust may be the biggest logistics challenge of all.

Join Bryan Reimer, a leading expert in vehicle behavior and policy, Bruce Mehler, a research scientist with a background in psychology and physiology, and Pnina Gershon, who specializes in human-technology interaction. They dive into the hurdles of vehicle automation, emphasizing public trust and the need for active driver engagement despite advanced tech. Insights on industry collaboration, misconceptions about automation, and the rising costs of vehicle ownership reveal the intricate dance of innovation and consumer acceptance in shaping the future of transportation.

In this discussion, Tori Arnold, a project manager at MIT’s Sustainable Supply Chain Lab, along with research assistant Martin Staadecker and postdoctoral researcher Sreedevi Rajogopalan, delve into the pressing theme of sustainability in corporate practices. They shed light on how companies can navigate financial pressures and regulatory changes to uphold their sustainability commitments. The conversation also explores the importance of accurate emissions tracking and the growing public support for responsible supply chains, plus the impact of recent global events on corporate sustainability initiatives.

In recent years, online education has come to the forefront as an alternative to traditional education programs. Its increasing prominence reflects its adaptability, flexibility, affordability, and far-reaching scale. As the global workforce stands to undergo significant changes in the next 5-10 years due to digitalization, advancements in AI, and automation, employers are increasingly valuing skills over degrees. For workers, this requires a practice of continuous learning. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Eva Ponce, Director of Online Education at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, and Dr. Inma Borrella, Academic Lead for the MITx MicroMasters Program in Supply Chain Management. Eva and Inma discuss the role of online education in upskilling the workforce and the impact of the MITx MicroMasters Program, the first of its kind. Host & Executive Producer: Benjy Kantor Marketing Writer & Producer: Mackenzie Berry Sound Editor: David Benjamin Sound Audio Engineer: Kurt Schneider

Matthias Winkenbach, Director of Research at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, and Alejandro González, Software Business Unit Director at Mecalux, dive into the transformative power of AI and robotics in logistics. They discuss innovative collaborations that enhance warehouse efficiency and tackle challenges in technology adoption. Insights on quality assurance for autonomous systems and building trust in AI-driven solutions provide a glimpse into the future of supply chain management. The conversation highlights real-world applications like those seen with IKEA.

Vehicle routing is one of the most well-understood, extensively studied problems in both history and academia—it's been studied by academics since the early 1800s. Yet 200 years later, optimal efficiency remains just out of reach. And given the enormous increase in pressure for consumer expectations in recent years, that remaining "last mile" of vehicle routing  efficiency could, on a global scale, make a huge difference to a huge number of people. In this episode, we're joined by Matthias Winkenbach, Director of Research at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics. Matthias is an expert in urban logistics, last-mile delivery, and vehicle routing, and he has just launched a new lab, the MIT Intelligent Logistics Systems Lab, that will use AI and machine-learning techniques to tackle today's vehicle routing challenges—and that could make a major impact on vehicle routing solutions where traditional methods and algorithms have come up just short. intelligent.mit.edu Host & Executive Producer: Benjy Kantor Marketing Writer & Producer: Dan McCool Sound Editor: David Benjamin Sound Audio Engineer: Kurt Schneider

In this episode, we sit down with members of the MIT Low Income Firms Transformation (LIFT) Lab: Director Josué Velázquez Martínez, Postdoctoral Researcher Sreedevi Rajagopalan, and Doctoral Student Fabio Castro. We discuss the LIFT Lab's work empowering micro-retailers and nanostores in emerging markets to lift themselves out of poverty. These retailers, while making up an overwhelming majority of retail business in their regions, are at a significant disadvantage when dealing with large suppliers and competing with large retailers—some 30% of these firms fail within 5 years of opening. Using generative AI, the LIFT Lab is helping these retailers enhance their business decision-making and supply chain capabilities to help them survive and thrive. Host & Executive Producer: Benjy Kantor Marketing Writer & Producer: Dan McCool Sound Editor: David Benjamin Sound Audio Engineer: Kurt Schneider