Speaker: Hamsa Balakrishnan, Assistant Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems, MIT. The design and operation of air transportation systems pose many control and optimization challenges. We would like to increase the efficiency of operations and their robustness, but need to take into account other stakeholder objectives such as maintaining safety and limiting environmental impact. This talk will discuss the challenges posed by uncertainty due to weather, airline competition and environmental concerns. This session is part of the Issues in Technology and Policy 2009 IAP Seminar Series.