Brian J. Lunday

Brian J. Lunday is a Professor of Operations Research at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), specifically within the Department of Operational Sciences. His career spans over two decades, with a focus on applications of mathematical programming to cooperative and non-cooperative game-theoretic interactions, network design, optimization, interdiction, and resource allocation in military contexts.

• Education:
• Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech (2010)
• M.S. in Industrial Engineering, University of Arizona (2001)
• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Aerospace Systems), United States Military Academy (1992)

Lunday’s research interests are broad and interdisciplinary, centering on operations research with military applications. His work includes network interdiction, resource location and allocation, game theory, and optimization under uncertainty. He has contributed to areas such as missile defense, vaccine pricing, medical evacuation logistics, and social network analysis. His methodological approaches often involve bilevel programming, stochastic and dynamic programming, and metaheuristics.

The trends in his publications reflect a deep engagement with military logistics, game theory, and network optimization. Notable topics include the weapon-target assignment problem, robust location modeling, approximate dynamic programming for medical evacuations, and social network analysis using multilayer frameworks. His work frequently integrates mathematical rigor with real-world defense challenges, such as asymmetric satellite constellation design, truck platooning cost optimization, and intruder detection.

• Scientific Awards:
  • 2024 Richard H. Barchi Prize (MORS)
  • 2023 Outstanding Science and Engineering Educator (USAF)
  • 2020 Dean’s Distinguished Teaching Award (AFIT)
  • 2018 Lessons Learned Senior Civilian Professional of the Year (USAF)
  • 2016 Outstanding Young Member OR/MS Award (INFORMS)
  • 2014 Professor of the Year (ASAM Master’s Program)
  • 2013 Dr. Leslie M. Norton Teaching Excellence Award

Lunday has advised numerous students across his publications, including researchers working on military applications (e.g., C. G. Long, S. D. Donnel, M. J. Robbins) and optimization challenges (e.g., P. R. Jenkins, W. M. Caballero). His collaborative research extends to projects involving cyber readiness, missile defense, and healthcare logistics.