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48 W o r c e s t e r 3 0 0 : C i t y o f I n n o v a t o r s 1922-2021 M ore than 21 million peo- ple worldwide are victims of human trafficking and an estimated 70 %of those individuals are women and girls. Human trafficking generates approximately $150 billion annually, making it one of the largest profit sources for organized crime, second only to illicit drugs. Wildlife trafficking is defined as the illegal trade, smuggling, poaching, capturing and collection of endangered species and protected wildlife and their byproducts. e United Nations estimates global illegal wildlife trade is worth up to $23 billion per year, ranking it fourth aer drugs, people and arms smuggling. Renata Konrad, an associate professor in the WPI Business School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, has researched how to apply industrial engineering Stopping human trafficking WPI professor uses science against poaching and trafficking techniques like simulation and optimization and mathematical knowledge to try to combat these social justice issues, using various techniques in the field since 2018. Konrad and WPI colleague Andrew Trapp and others studied border control and transit center interception information in order to identify networks from the perspective of labor and sex traffickers as well as victims. Her analysis researched the differences and simi- larities with traditional supply chain networks, with an ultimate goal of disrupting the illegal supply chain. Other data sought to identify at risk populations; help organizations determine where resources are needed and how to most effectively distribute them; and assist with evaluation and development of prevention campaigns. Another angle taken was assessment of factors that can predict the best outcome for victims once they are taken out of the exploitive situation. Noting that victims are lured by promises of jobs, marriage, and money, researchers pinpointed economically depressed areas and online and physical locations where people looking for these Renata Konrad is using her background in industrial engineering to combat social justice issues PHOTO | COURTESY MEREDITH L. GORE Poachers often leave behind evidence of their misdeeds, such as these rhinoceros bones founded in Mozambique.