Evelien van der Hurk is an Associate Professor at the Department of Technology, Management and Economics within DTU Management at the Technical University of Denmark. Her research focuses on optimization, simulation, and decision-making in transportation systems and public health. She specializes in public transport planning, epidemic modeling, and resilient infrastructure design. Her work integrates operations research techniques with real-world applications, addressing challenges such as rolling stock rescheduling, disease spread mitigation, and autonomous transit systems. She has contributed to advancing methodologies like matheuristics for timetabling and simulation-optimization frameworks for immunization strategies. Key research themes include transportation network design, passenger behavior analysis, and robust scheduling under uncertainty. Her articles often bridge theoretical models with practical implementation, emphasizing societal impact in urban mobility and public health policy. No scientific awards or student advisement details are explicitly mentioned in the provided materials. Her research has been published in leading journals and conferences, reflecting her expertise in interdisciplinary systems optimization.
René de Koster is a Professor of Logistics and Operations Management at the Department of Technology and Operations Management, Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University Rotterdam. He holds a PhD from Eindhoven University of Technology (1988) and has been affiliated with Erasmus University since 1995. His research focuses on warehousing, material handling, container terminals, behavioral operations, and sustainable logistics. He has authored eight books and over 250 publications in journals like *Transportation Science* and *European Journal of Operational Research*. He serves on eight editorial boards, chairs Stichting Logistica, and founded the Material Handling Forum. Teaching spans all RSM levels, including executive programs. Notable recognitions include the honorary Francqui Chair (2018) and being named 'the most influential researcher' in material handling. Education: PhD in Technology, Eindhoven University of Technology (1988) Research Highlights: Warehouse design and optimization Container terminal operations and automation Behavioral aspects of logistics operations Sustainability in logistics systems Publications Focus: Recent work emphasizes container terminal layouts, urban freight sustainability, and warehouse efficiency. Early contributions include foundational studies on order picking routing and return handling strategies. Awards: Honorary Francqui Chair (Hasselt University, 2018) Recognized as 'most influential researcher' in material handling Advising & Grants: Supervised over 30 PhD candidates Active in editorial roles for journals including *Transportation Science* and *Operations Research* Collaborated with industry on projects like the Aalsmeer flower auction scheduling Labs/Teams: Leads research initiatives in facility logistics through ERIM and collaborates with industry partners on warehouse automation and sustainability.
Rob Zuidwijk is a Professor of Global Supply Chains and Ports at Rotterdam School of Management (RSM), Erasmus University Rotterdam. He holds the title of Fellow ERIM and serves as Captain of Science for the Topsector Logistics in the Netherlands. His research focuses on sustainable supply chains, synchromodal transport networks, and inter-organisational systems in logistics. He has coordinated numerous funded research projects and teaches courses on freight transport systems, international logistics, and global supply chain management at BSc, MSc, and PhD levels. Education: PhD in Mathematics from Erasmus University Rotterdam. Research Interests: Sustainable supply chain governance, synchromodal transport optimization, and logistics information systems. His work bridges operational research and practical applications in ports and global logistics networks. Publications: Over 40 academic articles in journals like Transportation Science , Production and Operations Management , and European Journal of Operational Research . Recent work addresses sustainable governance, data-driven logistics platforms, and truck platooning optimization. Awards: Fellow of the Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM). Advising/Grants: Supervised 33+ PhD students and led projects on international logistics, container transport, and port-hinterland networks. Active in ERIM and Smartport initiatives. Labs/Teams: Co-founder of the Smartport research community, contributing to port-related logistics innovation.
Dr. Awais Aziz Shah is a Lecturer in the School of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow, affiliated with the Glasgow Systems Section (GLASS) and Netlab (Networked Systems Research Laboratory). His research focuses on Software-Defined Networks (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV), and resilient network architectures. He holds a PhD from Politecnico di Bari, Italy, where his thesis involved SDN-based frameworks for VNF orchestration in optical networks. He has collaborated with industry partners like SMOptics and Experis, and worked as a Research Fellow on Scotland’s 5G testbed projects. His research interests span container networking, edge computing, anomaly detection, and cybersecurity. He leads projects like COCOON (Horizon Europe) for power grid cyber protection and ECO-INSIGHT (EPSRC) for sustainability-driven AI systems. He supervises PhD students in areas like NFV orchestration and virtual reality applications. He teaches Advanced Networked Systems, Networks and Operating Systems, and Secured Software Engineering courses. Key grants include ORBICULAR (EPSRC) for satellite image recognition and COCOON for smart grid cybersecurity. His work emphasizes practical solutions for low-latency, energy-efficient networks and resilient systems.
Prof. Dr. Kevin Tierney is a Full Professor for Decision and Operation Technologies at Bielefeld University's Faculty of Business Administration and Economics. He also serves at the Department of Management Science & Business Analytics and is affiliated with the Bielefeld Center for Data Science (BiCDaS) and Center for Uncertainty Studies (CeUS). Chair of Business Administration, Decision and Operation Technologies Member of BIGSEM Graduate School PhD (2013) - IT University of Copenhagen Sc.M. (2010) & BS (2008) - Brown & RIT Research Interests His work focuses on: Learning to Optimize: Using deep reinforcement learning to automate solution heuristics for complex problems like routing and scheduling. Optimization under Uncertainty: Developing models that incorporate probabilistic elements for decision-making in unpredictable environments. Efficient Maritime Logistics: Specializing in container shipping, terminal operations, and fleet routing with real-world constraints. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in algorithm configuration, constraint programming, and machine learning applications to logistics challenges. Scientific Recognition Distinguished Paper Award - European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (2020) Projects & Grants Principal Investigator in projects: Self-learning methods with Deep Reinforcement Learning (DFG 2026) itsowl-MOVE (Land NRW 2024) AIPlan4EU Meta-planning engine (EU H2020 2023) Academic Leadership Module responsible for: Quantitative Business Administration Data Science Production and Operations Management
Full Professor at the Department of Telecommunications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb. Active in research areas spanning Internet of Things , Distributed Ledger Technology , and Smart City Systems . Key projects include IoT-edge-cloud continuum optimization, precision agriculture implementations, and DLT security frameworks. Research Focus includes semantic interoperability for IoT platforms, adaptive edge computing architectures, and blockchain applications in energy systems. Publications emphasize QoS-aware IoT services, nitrogen deficiency detection in crops, and mobile crowd-sensing ecosystems. Technical Contributions cover container orchestration tools for edge environments, federated learning optimization, and indoor location-aware device control. Current work examines security protocols for MQTT in precision agriculture and publish/subscribe middleware for cloud-based IoT. Collaborative Initiatives involve the symbIoTe project for semantic interoperability, CUPUS middleware development, and AlvisP2P search engine optimization. Development of context-aware services for smart campus environments using Home Assistant platform and Node-RED.
Achim Koberstein is a Professor of Business Administration with a focus on Business Informatics and Operations Research at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (Wiwi) , European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder). His academic career spans multiple institutions, including Goethe-University Frankfurt and the University of Hamburg. Education: Doctorate in Business Informatics (Dr. rer. pol.) at the University of Paderborn (2005) Diploma in Computer Science (Minor: Business Administration) at the University of Paderborn (2002) His research centers on decision support systems , stochastic and deterministic optimization models , and applications in supply chain and automotive production planning . Recent work explores drug shortages, drone logistics, and hybrid electric vehicle routing. His publications highlight a focus on stochastic programming , MILP modeling , and real-world logistics challenges across healthcare, automotive, and maritime domains. Current affiliations include leadership roles in the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration's Dean's team. Contact: Email: koberstein@europa-uni.de Office: Main Building (HG) 043, Große Scharrnstraße 59, 15230 Frankfurt (Oder)
Yingqian Zhang is an Associate Professor in the Information Systems group at the Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences department of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). She is affiliated with the Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute (EAISI), specifically with the EAISI High Tech Systems and EAISI Foundational groups. Her research focuses on applying Artificial Intelligence to solve complex decision-making problems across various domains including logistics, transportation, manufacturing, and e-commerce. Dr. Zhang received her PhD in Computer Science from the University of Manchester, UK. Prior to joining TU/e, she served as an Assistant Professor in the Econometrics Institute at Erasmus University Rotterdam and as a postdoc researcher in the Algorithmics group at TU Delft. She was also a visiting professor at the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies at University of Maryland, College Park, USA. Her research expertise lies at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and optimization, with particular focus on machine learning, deep reinforcement learning, and trustworthy data-driven optimization. Dr. Zhang develops socially aware algorithms that can optimize decisions in data-rich environments. Her work bridges the gap between theoretical AI advancements and practical applications in industrial settings, addressing real-world challenges through innovative algorithmic solutions. She is particularly interested in how AI can support human decision-making while maintaining transparency and trustworthiness. Dr. Zhang's recent publications reveal a strong trend toward applying graph neural networks and reinforcement learning to complex scheduling and optimization problems. Her work demonstrates increasing sophistication in handling stochastic elements in decision-making processes, with applications spanning healthcare diagnostics, logistics, transportation, and manufacturing. She has made significant contributions to the field of neural combinatorial optimization, particularly for job shop scheduling problems and vehicle routing. Dr. Zhang has received several prestigious awards recognizing her contributions to the field: Winner of the MLVRP2023 GECCO competition (2023) Best Paper Award from Omega-International Journal of Management Science (2017) Best Industrial Paper Award (2020) Best Student Paper Award (2019) Best Student Paper Award of ICAART 2022 (2022) As a dedicated mentor, Dr. Zhang supervises numerous PhD students including Mohsen Abbaspour Onari, Abdo Abouelrous, Luca Begnardi, Xia Jiang, Chengpeng Hu, Minshuo Li, Robbert Reijnen, Jesse van Remmerden, Bart von Meijenfeldt, Ya Song, and Igor Smit. Her research is supported by various grants, including the LEO (Learning and Explaining Optimization) project co-funded by Holland High Tech | TKI HSTM via the PPP allowance scheme for public-private partnerships. Dr. Zhang actively contributes to the academic community as the Chair of the Benelux Association for Artificial Intelligence (BNVKI) and as a member of the Technical Board for the European Big Data Value Association (BDVA). She serves as an associate editor for the "Annals of Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence" journal and participates in the technical Program Committee for major AI conferences such as IJCAI, AAAI, AAMAS, and ECAI. She is also on the executive committee of the Data Science meets Optimisation (DSO) working group of EURO to promote collaboration between AI and Operations Research communities.
Prof. Dr. Dilek Tüzün Aksu is a faculty member at Yeditepe University's Faculty of Engineering, Department of Industrial Engineering. She has held various academic positions including Professor (2021-present), Associate Professor (2015-2021), and Assistant Professor (2006-2015). Her career spans institutions like Sabancı University and Lehigh University, with administrative roles as Department Head and Institute Deputy Director. Current role: Professor at Yeditepe University Research focus: Operations Research, Logistics, Optimization Industry collaborations: United Airlines, Obase Bilgisayar Education B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering, Boğaziçi University (1988-1992) Integrated Ph.D., Lehigh University (1993-1998) Research Interests center around Operations Research and Optimization , particularly in disaster response and logistics. Her work includes metaheuristics for post-disaster road clearance , dynamic programming for manufacturing optimization , and network modeling for transportation logistics . She combines mathematical programming with real-time decision systems in applications ranging from glass cutting to airline crew pairing . Scientific Contributions include 12+ peer-reviewed publications across disciplines like disaster management, urban planning, and production systems. Her 2017 Journal of Industrial Management Optimization paper introduced heterogeneous flow routing in constrained networks, while the 2022 IISE Transactions article developed stochastic models for debris clearance. Advising has involved 13+ theses across Yeditepe University and Sabancı University, including Elifcan Yasa's 2022 Ph.D. on earthquake road clearance and Bahadir Durak's 2018 dissertation on glass cutting optimization. Industry Engagement includes technical consulting for TÜBİTAK projects worth over 1.7M+ Turkish Lira between 2011-2023. She served as Principal Investigator for real-time glass cutting optimization and as Consultant for retail demand forecasting systems, container shipping scheduling, and workforce optimization platforms.
Arthur G Richards serves as Professor of Robotics and Control within the Dynamics and Control department at the University of Bristol's School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology. His research specializes in trajectory optimization for aerospace applications, focusing on UAV autonomy, spacecraft rendezvous, and air traffic management through advanced optimization techniques. His educational foundation includes an M.Eng. from the University of Cambridge and S.M./Ph.D. degrees from MIT. Research interests center on solving complex aerospace challenges through: Non-convex optimization for obstacle avoidance in cluttered environments Robust model predictive control for real-time disturbance compensation Distributed optimization enabling large-scale vehicle cooperation Scalable algorithms for high-traffic scenarios with minimal fuel consumption Analysis of his 132 research outputs reveals evolving emphasis on reliability-aware UAV path planning, interpretable reinforcement learning for aircraft control, and swarm robotics with real-world validation. Recent work increasingly integrates machine learning with traditional control theory while addressing practical constraints like sensor noise and system failures. Professor Richards has supervised 22 research students and secured funding for 11 projects, including the active Aerial Robotics for Search and Rescue (2022-2026) and PORTAL (2022-2024) initiatives. His industry collaborations with Thales and focus on technology transfer demonstrate strong academic-industrial integration. He actively contributes to the Smart Networks for Sustainable Futures and Robotics research groups, developing frameworks for multi-robot systems that balance theoretical rigor with practical deployment requirements in conservation, inspection, and exploration scenarios.
Shunichi Ohmori , a Professor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering , Waseda University , holds a Doctorate in Engineering from the same institution. His academic journey includes continuous affiliation with Waseda University since 2011, currently serving as a faculty member and concurrently as Director of Research Institute at the Institute of Global Production & Logistics (2022-2026). Education: Doctorate (2009-2012), Master's (2007-2009), and Bachelor's (2004-2007) from Waseda University His research focuses on industrial engineering and operations research , with specific interests in optimization , facility planning , logistics , and supply chain management . He has developed innovative frameworks for: Robust supply chain design under disruption risks Multi-echelon inventory optimization 3D facility layout planning with pipeline arrangements Collaborative vehicle routing cost allocation Green product portfolio strategies under uncertainty His publication record demonstrates expertise in stochastic optimization (15+ peer-reviewed papers) and heuristic algorithms (14+ conference proceedings). He has received multiple Best Paper Awards (2012-2016) and contributed to curriculum development through courses like Advanced Facilities Planning , Supply Chain Transformation , and Logistics at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Eduardo Anibal Lalla is an Associate Professor at the Digital Society Institute and Industrial Engineering & Business Information Systems. His research focuses on applying artificial intelligence and optimization techniques to logistics and transportation challenges, particularly in maritime and urban logistics. He has published extensively on topics such as vehicle routing, metaheuristics, and mathematical programming, contributing to advancements in intelligent transport systems and container logistics. Research Trends : Over the past decade, his work has emphasized optimization algorithms for multi-depot vehicle routing collaborative berth allocation models matheuristics for dynamic scheduling AI-driven decoupling strategies in inter-terminal transport robot stations integration in logistics networks Scientific Awards : Best algorithm in Generalized Continuous Optimization Contest (2016) EURO Excellence in Practice Finalist/Runner-up (2021) Extraordinary doctoral distinction (2017)
Professor Roberto Palacin is a faculty member at Newcastle University specializing in transport engineering. His research spans rail systems, sustainable transport, maritime logistics, and data-driven infrastructure optimization, with consistent publication output from 2022 to 2025. His primary research interests focus on decarbonizing transport networks through innovative engineering solutions. Key areas include rail performance analysis using tools like Time Signal at Red (TSAR), electric vehicle charging infrastructure optimization, maritime emissions reduction, and air quality policy interventions. He employs interdisciplinary approaches combining simulation modeling, machine learning, and multi-objective optimization to address complex transport challenges. Analysis of his 14 publications (2022-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on practical applications for sustainable mobility. Recurring themes include the integration of data analytics in rail operations, development of resilient maritime logistics frameworks, and cross-sectoral collaboration for safety and emissions reduction. His work consistently targets real-world implementation of decarbonization strategies across transport modes.
