Somaye Nargesi, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Phone: 253-535-7304

Email: nargesi@plu.edu

Curriculum Vitae: View my CV

  • Professional
  • Biography
  • Why PLU?
  • Personal

Education

  • Ph.D., Management Science, University of Texas, Arlington
  • MBA, Business Administration, Amirkabir University of Technology
  • B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Tehran, Iran

Areas of Emphasis or Expertise

  • Operations and Supply Chain Management
  • Healthcare Operations
  • Behavioral Operations and Decision-Making
  • Forcasting & Quantitative Methods
  • Project & Process Management
  • Global Operations and Cross-Cultural Management
  • Sustainability and Innovation in Operations
  • Experiential and Case-Based Pedagogy

Selected Publications

Research Projects

    • Information Framing Effects in Operational Decision-Making
      An experimental study examining how managers interpret operational metrics under uncertainty and how framing influences capacity, inventory, and risk-related decisions.
    • Behavioral Drivers of Supplier Selection Under Risk
      A quantitative project exploring how decision-makers balance cost, reliability, and risk signals when choosing suppliers in uncertain environments.
    • Motivation, Effort, and Learning Outcomes in Business Education
      A study investigating how assessment design, participation structures, and classroom framing affect student motivation and performance, particularly among underrepresented student groups.

Professional Memberships/Organizations

Biography

Dr. Somaye Nargesi is an Assistant Professor of Business at Pacific Lutheran University’s School of Business. She teaches a broad portfolio of courses, including Operations & Supply Chain Management, Healthcare Operations, Cultural Marketing, and MBA-level Supply Chain & Information Management. Her teaching philosophy centers on experiential learning, critical thinking, and helping students make meaningful connections between analytical tools, managerial judgment, and the complex realities of organizational life.

Dr. Nargesi’s research focuses on behavioral operations and decision-making—particularly how individuals interpret information, make trade-offs, and manage uncertainty. She has presented at leading professional conferences and authored work in the Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education on equipping students with Industry 4.0 competencies. She also contributes to applied and interdisciplinary projects in Behavioral Decision Making.

Why PLU?

In my role at PLU, I value the deep sense of community and the genuine commitment to student growth. I love working in an environment where faculty care about teaching as much as scholarship, and where students are encouraged to think critically, reflect thoughtfully, and engage with the world beyond the classroom.

I also appreciate the freedom to design experiential, discussion-driven learning experiences—whether through case work, interactive simulations, or global study programs—that help students connect concepts to real organizational challenges. PLU’s mission aligns closely with my own approach to education: supporting students through rigor, compassion, and meaningful engagement.

Interests

  • I'm Iranian, so I enjoy Persian music, poetry and cooking, especially when sharing meals with friends, colleagues, and students.
  • I have a strong interest in human behavior and often read and watch content related to psychology, motivation, and decision-making.
  • I love exploring cities through their public transportation and food markets—they reveal so much about culture.