July 16, 2025
At Mizzou Engineering, students leverage their learning to unlock solutions to real-world problems. One such student is RJ Morrison, who recently won a web/mobile app competition at the 2025 Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) Annual Conference in Atlanta.
Morrison’s web application, SimpleTalk, is designed to make simulation modeling more accessible and affordable for business owners and managers. The app combines a smart large language model (LLM) agent with a simulation tool. Because the AI understands everyday language, users can create and explore complex simulations without special technical skills.
“My goal in pursuing my master’s was to distill my education into a tool that could be used and shared by anyone,” Morrison said.
Morrison’s work is part of his master’s thesis project. Hyeong Suk Na, an assistant professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, serves as his advisor.
“RJ’s achievement highlights how Mizzou Industrial Engineering students are redefining the future of cutting-edge technology and creating practical, real-world solutions,” Na said. “Our students are leveraging artificial intelligence to make complex systems more accessible and impactful for industry. RJ’s work reflects the potential of Mizzou Engineers to shape the future and drive meaningful change.”
Morrison credited Na and other faculty members Jung Hyup Kim, James Noble, Suchithra Rajendran, Kangwon Seo, Omid Shahvari, Sharan Srinivas and Bin Wu as well as classmates Siddarth Mohanty and Michael Geisecke for supporting and encouraging him.
The competition is hosted annually by the IISE Data Analytics and Information Systems (DAIS) Division. The DAIS Division brings together academic, industry and government professionals working at the intersection of data analytics and information systems.
IISE is an international, nonprofit association that provides leadership for the application, education, training research and development of industrial and systems engineering.
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