Chad Laux is a systems-focused sustainability leader and Associate Professor in Purdue University’s School of Applied and Creative Computing. An internationally recognized expert in Lean Sustainability and Six Sigma systems, his work centers on improving how complex operational and technological systems perform to drive measurable, real-world impact. He brings a cross-disciplinary approach that connects engineering, data, and organizational strategy to advance more efficient, resilient, and sustainable systems.
At the Institute for a Sustainable Future, Laux co-leads the Circular Economy Systems special initiative, translating research into scalable solutions across industry and community contexts. His research spans operations excellence, Industry 4.0, Quality 5.0, and Lean Sustainability, with more than 200 publications contributing to the fields of quality management, supply chain resilience, and applied systems innovation. He holds a Ph.D. in Industrial and Agricultural Technology from Iowa State University, along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Industrial Technology from Purdue University.