Alberto Marquez

Dr. Alberto Marquez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Lamar University, where he has served since 2007 (promoted to Associate Professor in 2013). A licensed Professional Engineer in Texas, he previously held leadership roles including Department Chair at Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico City (2003-2006). His academic journey spans industry-relevant research, innovative teaching, and significant service contributions to engineering education.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering from Arizona State University (1999)
• M.S. in Management Sciences from Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Estado de Mexico (1990)
• B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Estado de Mexico (1986)

Dr. Marquez's research bridges theoretical operations research with practical industrial applications. He develops advanced simulation and optimization models for port infrastructure management, disaster response logistics, and supply chain resilience. His work increasingly integrates machine learning techniques, as evidenced by recent publications on brand loyalty forecasting using hidden Markov models and Industry 4.0 simulation frameworks. This focus on real-world problem-solving is reflected in his consistent success securing industry-partnered grants.

His publication record demonstrates evolving expertise from foundational optimization algorithms (2003-2010) toward contemporary applications in port management and disaster response (2017-2020). Recent work shows particular strength in translating complex analytics into decision-support tools for transportation infrastructure, with multiple studies funded by port authorities.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Educational Transcendence Award from Tecnologico de Monterrey (2018)
• Lamar University Merit Award (2013)
• Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars membership
• Professional Engineer license by Texas Board of Professional Engineers

Dr. Marquez actively mentors graduate students, having chaired four doctoral theses and two master's theses with research directly tied to his grant-funded projects. His $191,505 NSF grant for the 'Engineering Economics Jeopardy!' mobile app exemplifies his commitment to educational innovation. Current research focuses on port infrastructure optimization, supported by recent grants totaling $53,842 from Lamar University for Port of Beaumont projects. His Fulbright-CONACYT scholarship (2004-2009) facilitates ongoing international collaboration, particularly with Mexican institutions.

He leads research initiatives through direct industry partnerships with port authorities, developing practical decision-support tools for asset management and operational optimization. His work with the Port of Beaumont and Port of Port Arthur demonstrates strong community engagement, translating academic research into tangible infrastructure improvements.