Dr Jónasson’s research focuses on how analytics and operations can improve healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings. As Associate Professor of Analytics & Operations at Imperial Business School, Dr Jónasson is keen to continue developing models that link operational decisions to patient outcomes and public health. His work spans emergency medical services, behavioural health interventions and global health delivery, with collaborations in the UK, Africa and beyond. 

His work develops data-driven models to address the pressing operational challenges faced by health systems—from emergency medical services in urban centres to behavioural health interventions and community-based care in lower-income regions.  

A defining feature of Dr Jónasson’s approach is his commitment to making research actionable. His collaborations with organisations such as the London Ambulance Service, Riders for Health in Malawi, Keheala in Kenya and the Clinton Health Access Initiative in Mozambique, demonstrate how carefully designed operations models can be translated into meaningful improvements on the ground. 

This focus on impact is also evident in his scholarship. His research has been published in leading journals including Operations Research, Management Science, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, and BMJ Global Health. Beyond publication, he contributes to shaping the field as an associate editor for Management Science and IISE Transactions on Healthcare Systems Engineering. 

Academic journey and recognition for research excellence 

Dr Jónasson began his academic career in Europe, earning a BSc in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iceland before pursuing postgraduate study in the UK. He completed an MSc in Operational Research at the London School of Economics, an MPhil at the University of Cambridge, and both an MRes and a PhD in Management Science & Operations at London Business School. 

Before joining Imperial, he spent nearly a decade at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management, where he rose from Assistant to Associate Professor of Operations Management. His time at MIT further cemented his reputation as a leader in the study of healthcare operations, while also giving him the opportunity to work closely with healthcare practitioners and global health organisations. 

Dr Jónasson’s contributions have earned international recognition. He received the prestigious Bonder Scholarship for applied Operations Research in Health Services in 2014. His work has since been awarded the M&SOM Practice-Based Research Competition prize (2021) and the William Pierskalla award for best paper in Healthcare Management Science (2024). He has also been a finalist for the Sanjay and Panna Mehrotra Research Excellence Award (2021) and twice for the MSOM Society Award for Responsible Research (in 2019 and 2024). These honours underscore the impact of his research in advancing both rigorous scholarship and socially responsible practice. 

Looking ahead at Imperial 

At Imperial, Dr Jónasson is excited to continue building bridges between rigorous research and healthcare practice.  

Reflecting on his move, he said: "I am thrilled to join Imperial Business School and to work alongside outstanding colleagues in Analytics and Operations. What makes this especially exciting for me is that few business schools in the world can match Imperial’s environment: a top technical university, an exceptional medical school and a leading school of public health. For someone working on health and healthcare, this combination—in my favourite city—is a rare and special opportunity.” 

Dr Jónasson looks forward to advancing research that not only deepens academic understanding of healthcare operations but also creates lasting impact for healthcare provides policymakers, patients and communities worldwide.