Find Academic Supervisors

Rui ZhangView profile

Associate Professor

• Quantitative methods
• Prescriptive analytics techniques
• Revenue management
• +5 more

Rui Zhang is an Associate Professor in the Strategy, Entrepreneurship, and Operations division at Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder. He currently serves as the Faculty Director of the Master's Program in Business Analytics and previously directed the Ph.D. Program in Operations. He is also an Associate Editor for INFORMS Journal on Computing and Networks . Dr. Zhang's research focuses on quantitative methods, particularly prescriptive analytics techniques. His work spans three main application areas: revenue management problems, last-mile delivery optimization, and influence maximization on social networks. Methodologically, he employs integer programming, network optimization, and approximate dynamic programming to develop innovative solutions to complex operational challenges. His research portfolio shows a clear progression from fundamental network optimization problems to increasingly complex applications in business analytics. Recent work emphasizes autonomous vehicle-assisted delivery systems and sophisticated influence maximization models with practical constraints like latency requirements. His publications consistently appear in top-tier operations research journals including Operations Research , Manufacturing & Service Operations Management , and multiple INFORMS publications. Runner-up for the 2022 INFORMS Computing Society (ICS) Prize Multiple Best Paper awards As Faculty Director of the MS in Business Analytics program, Dr. Zhang oversees curriculum development and student mentorship in this rapidly growing field. His Erdős number is 3 (Paul Erdős → Daniel J. Kleitman → Bruce L. Golden → Rui Zhang), reflecting connections to foundational mathematical research. His work bridges theoretical optimization with practical business applications across multiple domains including e-commerce logistics, social media marketing, and revenue management systems.

Maria Grazia ScutellaView profile

Professor

• Combinatorial Optimization
• Robust Optimization
• Network design and routing
• +5 more

Roles & Affiliations: Full Professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Pisa. Served as Vice Director of the Department (2020–2024). Active in editorial roles for journals like Networks and Computers & Operations Research . Education: Laurea in Information Science (University of Pisa, 1985, cum laude), PhD in Computer Science (University of Pisa, 1990). Qualified as Full Professor in Operations Research (2013). Research Focus: Specializes in Combinatorial Optimization, Robust Optimization, Network Design, and Logistics. Key contributions include green wireless networks, home care optimization, and vehicle routing. Awarded the Best Paper in Omega (2018) and recognized for seminal work in Discrete Applied Mathematics (1998). Teaching: Teaches courses in Operations Research, Logistics, and Network Optimization at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including international programs. Grants & Projects: Led national and international projects, including PNRR initiatives on sustainable mobility and IREAD-4.0 for warehouse optimization. Collaborated with industries like Softec S.r.l. and Siemens. Professional Activities: Organized major conferences (e.g., INOC 2009). Served on editorial boards and scientific committees for AIRO, INOC, and other networks. Active in mentoring doctoral students and fostering academic-industrial partnerships.

José Carlos Soares BrandãoView profile

Associate Professor

• Vehicle routing heuristics and metaheuristics
• Logistics
• Decision support systems
• +2 more

José Carlos Soares Brandão is an Associate Professor with Habilitation in the Department of Management at the University of Minho, Portugal. He holds a Ph.D. in Management Science – Operational Research from Lancaster University (1994), an M.Sc. in Mathematical Methods for Economics and Management from ISEG (1991), and a B.Sc. in Production Engineering (Polymers branch) from the University of Minho (1982). His career combines academic research with practical experience as a Production Manager for four years. Ph.D. in Management Science – Operational Research, Lancaster University (1994) M.Sc. in Mathematical Methods for Economics and Management, ISEG (University of Lisbon) (1991) B.Sc. (honours) in Production Engineering – Polymers branch, University of Minho (1982) His research focuses on vehicle routing heuristics and metaheuristics, logistics optimization, and decision support systems. He has developed algorithms like tabu search, iterated local search, and memory-based methods for complex routing problems including time windows, backhauls, and capacitated arcs. Publications span journals like European Journal of Operational Research and Computers & Industrial Engineering . His work trends include solving open vehicle routing problems (2004-2018), mixed-backhaul routing (2005-2018), and fleet optimization challenges (2009-2011). Algorithm designs combine deterministic approaches (2006-2009), ejection chains (2018), and lower-bound techniques (2002). Applications target logistics decision support systems and capacitated arc routing (2008). He led the research project "Resolução de problemas de definição de rotas de veículos com recurso a meta-heurísticas" (2010-2013) with team members Isabel Cordeiro and José António Crispim. His teaching includes Production and Operations Management courses at the University of Minho.

Francesca VocaturoView profile

Associate Professor

• Operations Research
• Logistics
• Optimization
• +4 more

Francesca Vocaturo serves as Associate Professor of Operations Research at the University of Calabria's Department of Economics, Statistics and Finance (DESF), where she has maintained continuous academic affiliation since 2003. Her teaching portfolio includes Operations Research for Master's programs in Business Administration and Management, and Mathematical Methods for Economics for undergraduate Economics students, with documented teaching loads of 63+ hours annually through the 2024/25 academic year. Her research expertise centers on Logistics Optimization with specialized focus on stochastic vehicle routing, urban transportation systems, and crowdshipping applications. Key methodological contributions span combinatorial optimization, dynamic programming, and simulation-based approaches to solve complex logistics challenges under uncertainty. Current projects integrate machine learning with optimization frameworks for sustainable mobility solutions. Recent publication trends (2021-2025) reveal concentrated advancement in dynamic logistics systems , particularly crowdshipping models, real-time inventory routing, and risk-aware transportation planning. Her work bridges theoretical algorithm development with practical applications in postal services, hazardous material transport, and public transit optimization. Notable recognition includes: Editors' Choice Article selection by the European Journal of Operational Research (2020) She has supervised 26 Master's theses in Business Administration covering topics from inventory management to green logistics, plus the PhD dissertation of Sara Stoia on crowdshipping. As Local Coordinator for the national PRIN2020 project ULTRA OPTYMAL , she leads research on optimization under uncertainty for urban logistics, while previously contributing to projects like SOLIDO (industrial logistics) and GREENPLAN (workforce optimization). Vocaturo actively collaborates with the TESEO laboratory (Tecnologie di Simulazione e Ottimizzazione) and the Quantitative Methods for Economics, Finance and Management research group within DESF, maintaining international partnerships through research stays at the University of Montreal, University of Valencia, and teaching engagements in Portugal.

Yi MeiView profile

Associate Professor

• Evolutionary Computation
• Combinatorial Optimisation
• Genetic Programming
• +10 more

Dr. Yi Mei is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean (Research) at the Faculty of Engineering, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. He serves as Programme Director for Computer Science & Computer Graphics within the School of Engineering and Computer Science and is affiliated with the Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (CDSAI). Dr. Mei's research focuses on evolutionary computation for combinatorial optimisation , with specific expertise in genetic programming , automatic algorithm design , explainable AI , and multi-objective optimisation . His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications in transportation, healthcare, manufacturing, and aquaculture. His publication portfolio shows a clear trajectory toward increasingly complex real-world applications of evolutionary computation, with recent work focusing on emergency medical dispatch optimization , dynamic transportation systems , and explainable AI for routing problems . The research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between evolutionary computation, machine learning, and domain-specific optimization challenges. Victoria University of Wellington Ki te Pae - Research Excellence Award 2024 Multiple Best Paper Awards at ACM Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference (GECCO) from 2022-2024 HUMIES Silver Award at GECCO 2023 IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation Outstanding Associate Editor (2024, 2025) Fellow of Engineering New Zealand and IEEE Senior Member Dr. Mei has successfully supervised numerous PhD and Master's students whose research has received recognition, including the ACM SIGEVO Dissertation Award. He leads significant research projects funded by MBIE Endeavour Smart Idea Fund ($1M NZD), New Zealand Royal Society Catalyst Leaders Fund ($150K NZD), and industry partners like Honda Research Institute Europe. His service contributions include editorial roles for top journals including IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation and leadership positions in IEEE Computational Intelligence Society. Dr. Mei leads the Evolutionary Computation for Combinatorial Optimisation Group (ECCO) and the Evolutionary Computation and Machine Learning Research Group (ECRG) at Victoria University of Wellington. He also chairs the IEEE Taskforce on Evolutionary Scheduling and Combinatorial Optimisation (TESCO), fostering international collaboration in evolutionary computation applications.

• Operations Research
• Mathematical Programming
• Combinatorial Optimization
• +6 more

Enrique Benavent López is an Associate Professor at the Universitat de València, affiliated with the Department of Statistics and Operations Research. His academic career has been dedicated to operations research, particularly in the area of arc routing and combinatorial optimization. Research Interests: Operations Research and Mathematical Programming Capacitated Arc Routing Problem (CARP) Rural Postman Problem (RPP) and its variants Vehicle Routing with Turn Penalties Integer Programming and Polyhedral Combinatorics Heuristic and Metaheuristic Algorithms His research spans theoretical algorithm development and practical applications in logistics and transportation. He has made significant contributions to the formulation and solution of hard optimization problems on networks, particularly through cutting-plane methods and branch-and-cut algorithms. Publication Trends: His work over the past four decades shows a consistent focus on arc routing problems. Early work addressed the quadratic assignment problem and basic postman problems, while later research concentrated on capacitated, windy, and mixed variants with additional constraints. The publications demonstrate a shift from exact methods to hybrid heuristics, reflecting broader trends in the field. His most cited works involve lower bounds, cutting planes, and branch-and-cut for CARP. Scientific Contributions: Developed foundational lower bounds for the Capacitated Arc Routing Problem Introduced exact algorithms based on cutting planes and branch-and-cut Contributed to the polyhedral analysis of arc routing problems Advanced heuristic methods for windy and mixed networks Pioneered work on turn penalties in directed rural postman problems Collaborations and Advising: He has collaborated extensively with leading researchers such as Ángel Corberán, José María Sanchis, and José-Manuel Belenguer. While specific students are not listed, his long-standing research activity suggests he has supervised PhD and Master's students in operations research. He has contributed to major reference works in arc routing and is frequently cited in the literature. Laboratories and Research Groups: He is part of a strong research group in combinatorial optimization at the Universitat de València, focusing on routing and scheduling problems. This group has produced influential work in both theoretical and applied aspects of operations research.

• Operations Research
• Vehicle Routing Problems
• Graph Coloring
• +2 more

Daniel Porumbel is an Associate Professor with expertise in operations research and combinatorial optimization. His research focuses on developing algorithms for complex routing problems under uncertainty, particularly capacitated vehicle routing with evidential demands. Key research areas include belief function theory, permutation set-covering problems, and efficient lower bound techniques for routing and location problems. Research Interests: Optimization under uncertainty using evidential demands Column generation and local search metaheuristics Dual feasible functions for routing optimization

• Operational Research
• Combinatorial Optimization
• Heuristics
• +4 more

Maria Cândida Mourão is a full Professor in Operational Research at the Mathematics Department of ISEG - Lisbon School of Economics and Management, University of Lisbon. She serves on the Executive Committee and coordinates the Operational Research scientific area at ISEG, alongside active participation in CEMAPRE research center. PhD in Mathematics Applied to Economics and Management (1998) Aggregation in Mathematics, Operational Research (2010) Her research focuses on Combinatorial Optimization , Heuristics , and Mixed Integer Linear Programming to solve complex Arc Routing Problems in urban logistics, waste collection, and transportation. She has published extensively in top journals like European Journal of Operational Research , Networks , and Computers & Operations Research , contributing both theoretical models and real-world applications. Her work emphasizes bridging academic research with practical solutions for network design and logistics optimization . She has served on organizing committees for international conferences and acts as reviewer for major journals. Teaching responsibilities include coordinating curricular units in Operational Research and supervising over 25 Master's theses in optimization, scheduling, and routing applications across sectors like urban waste, energy distribution, and public safety.

• Operations Research
• Mathematical Programming
• Combinatorial Optimization
• +7 more

Jose Manuel Belenguer Ribera is a full-time Professor in the Department of Statistics and Operations Research at the University of Valencia. He is a member of the OPTIMATH research group, focusing on optimization and mathematical modelling. His academic career is centered on operations research and combinatorial optimization. His research interests include: Operations Research Mathematical Programming Combinatorial Optimization Vehicle Routing Problems Capacitated Arc Routing Logistics Optimization His publications span from 1990 to 2023, with a strong focus on exact and heuristic methods for routing and scheduling problems. Key contributions include branch-and-cut algorithms, cutting plane methods, and bounds for capacitated and mixed arc routing problems. His recent work extends into port logistics, particularly yard crane scheduling in container terminals. Notable collaborative work includes joint publications with Enrique Benavent, Christian Prins, and Caroline Prodhon. His research has been published in leading journals such as Computers & Operations Research , European Journal of Operational Research , and Operations Research . He earned his PhD from the University of Valencia in 1990 with a thesis on the polyhedron of capacitated arc routing problems, establishing a strong foundation in polyhedral combinatorics.

• Combinatorial Optimization
• Logistics Network Design
• Arc Routing Problems
• +4 more

Maria João Cortinhal is an Associate Professor at ISCTE-IUL, serving as Director of ISCTE Business School since 2023 and holding various academic management positions including coordinator of the third year of the Bachelor's in Management, elected member of the Scientific Council and General Council, and department director. She is affiliated with the Department of Quantitative Methods for Management and Economics at ISCTE Business School. Director of School of Management (2023-2027) President of Scientific Committee (2023-2027) Director of Institutional Course at School of Management (2023-2024) Former Director of School of Management (2019-2023) Former President of Scientific Committee (2019-2023) Her educational background includes a PhD in Statistics and Operational Research from Faculty of Sciences - UL (2005), Master's degree in the same field (1994), and Bachelor's degree (1990). Dr. Cortinhal's research focuses on combinatorial optimization problems, with special emphasis on logistics network design, sectorization and route design, using metaheuristics. Her work spans supply chain management, vehicle routing, waste collection optimization, and energy systems. She has participated as a researcher in FCT-funded projects, including the definition of logistics models for forest biomass supply and expansion of the national network of Justices of the Peace. Her research has evolved from fundamental facility location problems to applied logistics and sustainability projects. Her scientific production shows a strong focus on operational research with applications in logistics and sustainability. The publications demonstrate progression from theoretical optimization problems to practical applications in waste management, supply chain design, and renewable energy systems. Recent work increasingly addresses sustainability challenges in energy systems while maintaining strong methodological foundations in combinatorial optimization. Dr. Cortinhal has supervised 2 doctoral theses to completion, 2 master's dissertations in progress, 6 completed master's dissertations, and 4 master's final projects. Her students' work reflects her research interests, with topics spanning energy sustainability, logistics optimization, community detection in networks, and business applications of operations research. She has contributed to numerous national projects including development of methodologies for vehicle routing for collecting valuables (2016-2019) and planning household waste collection for Seixal municipality (2012-2015). Her external engagement includes media appearances where she discusses management education, economic development through education, and the role of business schools in preparing future executives.

• Transportation
• Logistics
• Supply Chains
• +6 more

Assoc Prof Kok Choon Tan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Analytics and Operations at the NUS Business School. He holds a Deputy Director role at the Centre for Maritime Studies (CMS), Singapore. His research focuses on container terminal operations optimization, maritime logistics, and simulation-based decision-making. He has been with NUS since 1984, starting as a Senior Tutor in Mathematics, and later earning a Post-Graduate Diploma in Teaching in Higher Education (PG DipTHE) to enhance his pedagogical skills. Research Interests: Transportation and logistics optimization, applied mathematics, operations research modeling, and maritime systems. He leads the Port Operations Modelling & Analysis track at CMS, focusing on container terminal efficiency through mathematical optimization and simulation. Teaching Philosophy: Emphasizes student-centered learning, active learning strategies (e.g., collaborative learning, case studies), and bridging theory to real-world applications. His teaching integrates problem-solving, critical thinking, and presentation skills development through group projects and industrial case studies. Recent Research Trends: His articles address AGV scheduling, container relocation under uncertainty, and multi-modal port operations. These contributions highlight innovations in automated systems, data-driven decision-making, and sustainability in port logistics. Labs/Teams: Active in the NUS Centre for Maritime Studies and collaborates with departments in Industrial Systems Engineering and Civil & Environmental Engineering. His work supports Singapore’s maritime and logistics industry through applied research and strategic planning.

• Decision Support Systems (DSS)
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Operations Research
• +4 more

Peter Keenan is an Associate Professor at the University College Dublin (UCD), School of Business, specializing in Management Information Systems. He holds a BComm, MMangtSc, and PhD from UCD. His roles include Head of the Management Information Systems subject area (2011–2015) and academic visitor at Pepperdine University (2015). He is affiliated with the Centre for Business Analytics and active in professional bodies like the Decision Science Alliance and AIS SIGDSA. Research focuses on decision support systems (DSS), geographic information systems (GIS), and optimization methodologies. Key areas include spatial decision-making, vehicle routing problems, and metaheuristics for stochastic optimization. His work bridges operations research and GIS technologies, with applications in logistics, environmental planning, and real-estate decision support. Teaching includes coordinating modules like Business Decision Support Systems, Metaheuristics, and Business Intelligence & Visual Analytics. Over 35 years of academic service at UCD, he has contributed to curricula development and pioneered the integration of GIS and DSS in business education. Professional Memberships: Euro WG on DSS, IFIP 8.3 WG, AIS SIGGIS (Founder) Key Contributions: Over 80 publications in journals like Annals of Operations Research and Decision Support Systems Labs/Teams: Active in Centre for Business Analytics at UCD

• Operations Research
• Mathematical Programming
• Combinatorial Optimization
• +9 more

Vicente Campos Aucejo is a Titular de Universidad (Associate Professor) in the Department of Statistics and Operations Research at the Universitat de València . He holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics, awarded in 1982 for his thesis on optimal Eulerian circuits and the mixed postman problem, supervised by Dr. Marco A. López Cerdá. His academic career is deeply rooted in combinatorial optimization and operations research. His primary research interests lie in arc routing problems , vehicle routing , matrix bandwidth minimization , and permutation problems . He is a leading expert in metaheuristic methods, particularly tabu search , GRASP (Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure), and scatter search , applying these techniques to solve complex NP-hard optimization problems. His work bridges theoretical developments with practical algorithmic implementations. An analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on combinatorial optimization using metaheuristics . His research spans applications in graph theory (e.g., hull number, dispersion problems), algorithm design (e.g., branch and bound, adaptive memory programming), and comparative studies of optimization frameworks (e.g., GRASP vs. genetic algorithms). The dominant keywords across his work are Operations Research, Computer Science, and Combinatorics, with a clear emphasis on developing and refining heuristic and exact solution methods. Collaboration is a hallmark of his research. He has co-authored extensively with prominent scholars such as Rafael Martí , Manuel Laguna , Angel Corberán , and Fred Glover , indicating strong international ties and integration within the optimization research community. His work is regularly published in high-impact journals like the European Journal of Operational Research , Computers & Operations Research , and Discrete Applied Mathematics . While specific details about student advising, grants, or laboratory affiliations are not available in the provided text, his long-standing publication record and senior academic title suggest a significant role in mentoring and research leadership. There is no indication of any scientific awards in the provided information.

• Operations Research
• Mathematical Programming
• Arc Routing Problems
• +5 more

Angel José Corberán Salvador is a Professor in the Department of Statistics and Operations Research at the University of Valencia. He earned his Ph.D. from the same institution in 1982 with a thesis on optimal Eulerian circuits and the rural postman problem. His academic career is centered on operations research and combinatorial optimization. Ph.D., University of Valencia, 1982 His research focuses on arc routing problems, including the rural postman, capacitated arc routing, and general routing problems. He has made significant contributions to polyhedral analysis, exact algorithms, and heuristics for these problems. His work extends to variants such as windy, mixed, and distance-constrained routing, as well as modern applications involving drones and hub location. He has published extensively in leading journals like European Journal of Operational Research , Networks , and Computers & Operations Research . The recent articles highlight a strong trend in extending classical arc routing models to modern logistics challenges, including drone-based delivery (K-drones routing), close-enough routing, and equitable hub location. The methodologies employed span exact approaches like branch-and-cut and branch-price-and-cut, as well as heuristic and matheuristic methods. The research is deeply rooted in mathematical programming and combinatorial optimization, with applications in transportation and network design. No scientific awards are mentioned in the provided text. Angel Corberán has collaborated extensively with researchers such as José María Sanchis, Isaac Plana, and Enrique Benavent. While no specific grants are listed, his sustained publication record suggests successful research funding. He has likely supervised several Ph.D. students given his senior academic position and prolific output, though no names are provided. No information about specific labs or research teams is available in the provided content.

Rafael Martí CunqueroView profile

Professor

• Operations Research
• Mathematical Programming
• Combinatorial Optimization
• +8 more

Rafael Martí Cunquero is a Full Professor ( Catedrático de Universidad ) in the Department of Statistics and Operations Research at the Faculty of Mathematics, University of Valencia, Spain. He leads the OPTIMATH Optimization and Mathematical Modelling research group and maintains an active research profile with a focus on optimization and heuristics. Research Interests: His primary fields of interest include Operations Research, Combinatorial Optimization, Metaheuristics (especially Scatter Search, GRASP, and Tabu Search), Global Optimization, Graph Drawing, and Network Design. His work bridges theoretical development and practical application in complex decision-making problems. The analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on developing and applying advanced metaheuristic methods—particularly hybridizations of GRASP, path relinking, scatter search, and variable neighborhood search—to challenging combinatorial optimization problems. Key application areas include graph drawing (e.g., edge crossing minimization), location problems (e.g., p-median, hub location), diversity and dispersion maximization, and routing. His work often emphasizes both algorithmic innovation and empirical validation. Dr. Martí has made substantial contributions to the field, co-authoring foundational texts on scatter search and editing comprehensive handbooks on heuristics. His research is supported by extensive collaborations, particularly with Manuel Laguna, Fred Glover, and Abraham Duarte.