Teams drive everything—from product launches to space missions—yet we still don’t fully understand how they function, evolve, or succeed. I research the hidden mechanics of teamwork: how shifting team states, blurred boundaries, and complex interactions shape outcomes in high-stakes settings.
As a PhD candidate in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences at Northwestern University, I work in the SONIC (Science of Networks in Communities) lab, led by Noshir Contractor. I use computational tools like network analysis and natural language processing to study how teams operate over time.
My research program has been shaped by real-world experiences. Before grad school, I worked as a technology consultant at Protiviti, where I saw firsthand how interdisciplinary teams could succeed—or not. My enthusiasm for computational methods began during my undergraduate studies in industrial engineering at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
This curiosity about collaboration shapes how I engage with my community. In teaching and mentorship, I design inclusive spaces which prompt meaningful discovery that is relevant to student goals. I’ve also served as president of Northwestern’s INFORMS student chapter, where I organized department-wide community-building events: from cultural snack hours to industry presentations and brown bag research seminars.
Outside of academia, you’ll probably find me moving—rock climbing, dancing, or doing yoga—or cooking something ambitious. If you’re interested in collaboration, or if you’re just curious about how teams really work, I’d love to connect.
Megan Chan 