Biography
My research is mainly focused on quality and process improvement in the healthcare, technology, and higher education sectors through the application of Lean Six Sigma and Project Management methodologies. Specifically, I study customer satisfaction with processes, products, systems, and services to improve quality, reduce human and system errors, eliminate waste and variation in processes, minimize non-value-added activities, and manage workplace safety using existing methodologies and through the creation of new continuous quality improvement and management frameworks.
Awards
2021 Member – Rising Star, QP’s 40 under 40 class of 2021, Quality Progress Magazine and American Society for Quality (ASQ) https://asq.org/quality-progress/articles/rising-stars?id=2c962950cb414f25b7c03c4a2742de1b
2019 Riccardo Dell'Anna Doctoral Dissertation Prize, International Academy for Quality (c/o American Society for Quality (ASQ)) https://iaquality.org/awards
2016 Herbert McMahon Educational Grant, St. Louis Section of American Society for Quality
Research Interests
Project Management, Quality Management, Operations Management, Lean, Six Sigma, Healthcare Systems Engineering, Higher Education.
Publications
Refereed Journal Articles
- Kush, P., Cudney, E., Materla, T., & Antony, J. (2021). Systematic literature review of quality maturity matrix. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 32(3-4), 289-297.
- Materla, T., & Cudney, E. (2020). An integrated methodology for evaluating patient service quality. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 31(15-16), 1738-1759.
- Cudney, E., Venuthurumilli, S., Materla, T., & Antony, J. (2020). Systematic review of lean six sigma approaches in higher education. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 31(3-4), 231-244.
- Materla, T., Cudney, E., & Hopen, D. (2019). Evaluating factors affecting patient satisfaction using the Kano model. International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 32(1), 137-151.
- Cudney, E., Baru, R., Guardiola, I., Materla, T., Cahill, W., Phillips, R., Mutter, R., Warner, D., & Masek, C. (2019). A decision support simulation model for bed management in healthcare. International Journal of Healthcare Quality Assurance, 32(2), 499-515.
- Materla, T., Cudney, E., & Antony, J. (2019). The application of Kano model in the healthcare industry: A systematic literature review. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 30(6), 660-681.
Other Professional Journal Articles
- Materla, T., & Cudney, E. (2019). An exploration of patient satisfaction attributes using the Kano model. Journal for Quality and Participation, 42(3), 18-26.
- Materla, T. & Cudney, E. (2017). The need for quality in healthcare. Quality Management Forum, Vol. 43 (1), 11 – 13.
Education
Ph.D. in Engineering Management, Missouri University of Science and Technology (Formerly University of Missouri – Rolla).
M.S. in Engineering Management, Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Graduate Certificate in Lean Six Sigma, Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Osmania University.
Certified Six Sigma Black Belt, International Six Sigma Institute, 2018
ASEM Certified Associate Engineering Manager, 2016
General Industry Safety and Health, 10-hour training, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 2015
Academic Employment
Pennsylvania State University - Abington College, August 2019 – Present
Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Project Management
Missouri University of Science and Technology, Sept 2018 – July 2019
Assistant Adjunct Professor (Non-Tenure Track), Engineering Management and Systems Engineering
Papers and Presentations
Refereed Conference Papers
- Materla, T. & Cudney, E. (2017). Identifying factors affecting patient satisfaction using the Kano model. Proceedings of the IISE International Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Materla, T., & Cudney, E. (2016) Systematic review of the implementation of Kano model in the healthcare industry. Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Management International Annual Conference, Concord, NC.
Conference Presentations
- Cudney, C., Materla, T. & Cudney, E. (2022). Integrating Project Management Principles into Lean Six Sigma: A Systematic Review of the Literature. IISE Annual Conference & Expo 2022. Seattle, WA.
- Materla, T., Cudney, E., Smith, A., & Adams, E. (2021). A Study of Students Perceptions for Employment. Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Conference. Miami, FL.
- Materla, T. & Cudney, E. (2018). Understanding patients’ needs using the Kano model. ASQ Lean and Six Sigma Conference. Phoenix, AZ.
- Materla, T. & Cudney, E. (2018). Utilizing the Kano model to identify factors affecting patient satisfaction. SHS Healthcare Systems Process Improvement Conference. Atlanta, GA.
- Materla, T., Cudney, E., & Adams, E. (2018) Evaluating Student’s Perceptions of Preparedness for Graduation. IISE Annual Conference and Expo. Orlando, FL.
- Materla, T. & Cudney, E. (2017). Improving patient satisfaction using the Kano model. ASQ LOUCON 2017 Fall Quality Conference. St. Louis, MO.
Panels and Presentations
- Materla, T. (May 7, 2020). Analyzing Patient Satisfaction Using the Kano Model. International Academy for Quality (IAQ) 2020 Annual Meeting. Virtual mode – Zoom.