Jan Akmal is an Assistant Professor at Aalto University, holding dual affiliations in the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering and the Materials to Products group. His research specializes in additive manufacturing (AM), focusing on defect detection, smart materials, and 4D printing applications. He leads the AIM-Zero project (2023–2026), exploring AI-driven zero-defect AM processes. Akmal has received the Aalto Doctoral Incentive Scholarship (2023) and an Honorary Award (2023). He serves on editorial boards for Frontiers in Manufacturing Technology and Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering , and chairs the Finnish Rapid Prototyping Association (FIRPA). Key research areas include AI-based defect detection in metal AM, self-sensing components, and hybrid materials for dynamic displays. He collaborates globally on topics like optical tomography in powder bed fusion and medical AM applications. His work addresses sustainability, industrial adoption of AM, and legal frameworks for military logistics. Akmal has authored 24 publications and contributed to datasets on AM inaccuracies and defect classification, emphasizing practical applications and industry integration.
Prof. Sadettin Emre Alptekin is a full Professor of Industrial Engineering at Galatasaray University, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, where he also serves as Vice Dean. Since joining the university as a research assistant in 2000, he has steadily advanced through the academic ranks, becoming an Assistant Professor (2006–2010), Associate Professor (2010–2023), and finally Professor in 2023. Education: PhD (Dr), Industrial Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Institute of Science and Technology, 2001–2006 MSc, Industrial Engineering, Galatasaray University, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, 1999–2001 BSc, Industrial Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Faculty of Management, 1995–1999 Languages: Advanced English (C1), Upper-Intermediate French (B2), Advanced German (C1) Research Interests: Prof. Alptekin’s research focuses on Computer Learning , Fuzzy Sets and Systems , and Decision Support Systems . His work integrates artificial intelligence, machine learning, and soft-computing techniques to solve complex industrial and managerial problems in areas such as supply chain management, quality function deployment, blockchain adoption, and mental-health prediction. Publication Trends: Across more than 50 refereed publications, Prof. Alptekin has consistently explored hybrid intelligent models that combine fuzzy logic, machine learning, and multi-criteria decision-making. Recent articles emphasize deep-learning-based anomaly detection in industrial time-series data, blockchain adoption in supply chains, and machine-learning applications in subjective well-being and mental-health modeling. Scientific Awards & Honors: No specific awards or medals are listed in the provided documents. Research Leadership & Funding: Since 2008 he has been the principal investigator (executive) of 12 nationally funded projects, covering topics such as Industry 4.0 sub-system design, Internet of Things applications, artificial neural networks in organizational decision-making, big-data analytics, and strategic decision processes. Graduate Advising: He has formally supervised at least 8 master’s theses and numerous undergraduate projects. Representative thesis titles include Gaussian-process-regression-based man-hour prediction, machine-learning-driven human-behavior modeling, recommender-system design for e-commerce, thyroid-nodule diagnosis from scintigraphic images, software-effort estimation via neural networks, spreadsheet heuristics for joint-replenishment problems, cross-selling decision systems in insurance, and profitability analyses of Turkish banks under disinflation. Laboratories & Teams: While no dedicated laboratory name is disclosed, his continuous role as Vice Dean and principal investigator implies active leadership of the Industrial Engineering department’s research clusters in intelligent systems and decision support technologies.
Professor Aris Syntetos is a Distinguished Research Professor and DSV Chair of Logistics and Manufacturing at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University. He is the founder and Director of the PARC Institute of Manufacturing, Logistics and Inventory, which includes the RemakerSpace, and leads the university’s strategic partnership with DSV. Previously, he held faculty positions at the University of Salford and Copenhagen Business School. His research focuses on the integration of forecasting and inventory optimization, particularly in the context of intermittent demand, spare parts, closed-loop supply chains, and additive manufacturing. He is renowned for the Syntetos-Boylan Approximation and the Syntetos-Boylan-Croston classification method. His work is driven by sustainability and social impact, aiming to reduce inventory obsolescence and support circular economies. The 15 most recent publications highlight a strong trend toward integrating forecasting with inventory and maintenance decisions, with increasing emphasis on sustainability, social good, and advanced analytics. His work spans healthcare, automotive, retail, and humanitarian logistics, often employing machine learning and empirical validation. 2024 Goodeve Medal (Operational Research Society) 2016 Cardiff University Outstanding Doctoral Supervisor Award 2016 & 2019 Cardiff University Innovation and Impact Awards He has secured over £5 million in research funding as Principal Investigator from EPSRC, Innovate UK, and the Welsh Government, leading projects on remanufacturing, 3D printing, and sustainable supply chains. He advises major firms like Ocado, BT, and DSV, and his methods are used in commercial software. He supervises PhD students and actively promotes knowledge transfer. He is Editor-in-Chief of the IMA Journal of Management Mathematics and serves as Vice-President of the International Society for Inventory Research (ISIR). He has taught in the UK, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, and Latvia, primarily in Operations Management and Applied Statistics.
Martijn Mes is a full professor of Transportation and Logistics Management and chair of the Industrial Engineering & Business Information Systems section at the University of Twente, Netherlands. He leads research and education initiatives that integrate AI, simulation and optimisation into logistics and supply-chain innovation. Education: Ph.D. in Operations Research, University of Twente – 2008 M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics, University of Twente – 2002 Post-doctoral researcher, Princeton University, Dept. of Operations Research & Financial Engineering Research focus: Mes develops quantitative models and AI techniques for strategic, tactical and operational logistics challenges. His work spans three application pillars: Emergency & humanitarian logistics – rapid relief distribution with trucks and UAVs Urban logistics – city distribution, self-organising systems and last-mile innovations Sustainable logistics – synchromodal transport, green ports and electric/autonomous fleets Methodologically he combines approximate dynamic programming, reinforcement learning, multi-agent simulation, discrete-event simulation and stochastic optimisation to create decision-support tools for industry and government. Publications trend: Recent articles (2025-2022) exhibit a strong emphasis on integrating reinforcement learning and stochastic optimisation into dynamic vehicle routing, drone-assisted delivery and post-disaster inventory allocation, signalling a shift towards data-driven, real-time logistic systems. Grants & projects: Mes has coordinated and participated in numerous national and European projects on sustainable logistics, urban distribution, port optimisation and healthcare logistics, frequently collaborating with industry partners and public bodies. Teaching & supervision: He coordinates and lectures in the BSc and MSc programmes Industrial Engineering & Management, offering courses on simulation, queueing theory, dynamic programming, Markov chains, transportation management and technology management. He has authored a widely used Plant Simulation tutorial and supervises PhD candidates working on AI-driven logistics, autonomous vehicles and digital twins.
Yacine Rekik is a Full Professor of Decision Sciences at ESCP Business School's Paris campus. He holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from École Centrale Paris and an HDR from INSA Lyon. Previously, he served as a Research Associate at the University of Cambridge and spent 15 years as a Professor at emlyon business school. Primary roles: Academic leadership in supply chain management and operations research Affiliations: ESCP Business School, ECR Community His research focuses on digital transformation of supply chains, RFID technology applications, omnichannel strategies, and inventory inaccuracy solutions. Notable contributions include data-driven models for inventory optimization and blockchain-based agricultural cooperatives. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical industry applications. Recent articles analyze energy market regulations, grocery retail promotions' impact on inventory accuracy, and cooperative formation in agriculture. He emphasizes sustainability in transportation and integrates machine learning for supply chain efficiency. No scientific awards listed, but his extensive publication record reflects scholarly impact. Advising activities and grants are not detailed here, but his HDR and research at top institutions indicate active involvement in doctoral supervision.
Prof. Roberto Montanari, a Full Professor at the University of Parma's Department of Systems Engineering and Industrial Technologies , has dedicated his career to advancing industrial engineering with a focus on supply chain logistics , food industry processes , and RFID technology . His work bridges simulation modeling and optimization for complex systems. PhD in Mechanical Engineering (University of Parma, 1999) Educational leadership in Industrial Plants , Food Industry Machinery , and Logistics Systems Research interests include logistics optimization , RFID-enabled supply chains , and food processing innovation . He pioneered ant colony algorithms for warehouse routing and CFD simulations for mixer design. His work spans WEEE management , food waste valorization , and smart city logistics . His 15+ recent publications demonstrate expertise in warehouse automation, perishable inventory control, and sustainable systems. Awards include BEST PAPER AWARD (MAS 2012) and XXI Summer School 'Francesco Turco' recognition. Director of interdepartmental center CIPACK (2014–present) Co-founder of academic spin-off FMB Engineering Innovation Erasmus+ Rector's Delegate (2018–present)
Evren Sahin is a researcher specializing in Operations Management with a focus on Supply Chain Optimization , Healthcare Logistics , and Inventory Management . He is affiliated with the Industrial Engineering Laboratory, where his work integrates optimization , discrete event simulation , and production systems . His research explores the intersection of emergency vehicle logistics , home healthcare operations , and agri-food supply chains . Recent publications highlight applications of machine learning in demand forecasting and digital twin technology for supply chain agility. Collaborations with Zied Jemai, Yves Dallery, and Andrea Matta span theoretical and applied projects. Key methodologies include integer programming , inventory control models , and human-robot kitting systems . His work addresses closed-loop supply chains , perishable product management , and emergency medical service improvements through simulation and optimization.
Eirini Spiliotopoulou is an Associate Professor at the Department of Information Systems and Operations Management, Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM), Tilburg University. Her research focuses on behavioral operations, supply chain coordination, and human-algorithm interaction, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and humanitarian logistics. She holds a PhD and M.Eng. from the MIT-Zaragoza Logistics Program and has held academic positions at VU Amsterdam and European Business School. Visiting Scholar at MIT Sloan School of Management (Spring 2024) Editorial roles: Decision Sciences Journal (Associate Editor), Production & Operations Management (Review Board) Education: PhD in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, MIT-Zaragoza Logistics Program (Spain) M.Eng. in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, MIT-Zaragoza Logistics Program Research Interests: Behavioral operations, supply chain coordination, information sharing, human-algorithm interaction, sustainability in supply chains, and global health logistics. Methodologies include experimental design, analytical modeling, and secondary data analysis. Publications: Recent work explores inventory management under uncertainty, data-driven decisions in restaurants, and behavioral aspects of supply chain dynamics. Her articles appear in Production and Operations Management , Decision Sciences , and European Journal of Operational Research . Awards: POM Skinner Best Paper Award 2016 Advising & Grants: Active in editorial roles and research grants focusing on behavioral supply chain dynamics. No listed advisees. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with MIT, Harvard, and industry partners on applied logistics and supply chain projects. Involved in global health supply chain initiatives.
Derk Rutger Jordi Prak is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering & Business Information Systems. His research spans Artificial Intelligence, Mobility and Transport, and Smart Industry, with a focus on Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, and Stochastic Modelling. He actively contributes to inventory management, demand forecasting, and supply chain optimization, aligning his work with the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to transportation and smart industries. Academic Rank: Assistant Professor Research Trends: Derk’s work over recent years reveals expertise in inventory record inaccuracy, multi-echelon supply chains, and demand forecasting for bike-sharing systems. His methodologies integrate mathematical programming and machine learning to address complex logistics challenges. Collaborations: He collaborates with researchers like F. Akkerman, M. van der Heijden, and S. Minner, covering predictive analytics, inventory control, and transportation technologies. Scientific Awards: 2nd place ISIR Research Challenge: Production-Inventory Planning at ASML (2025)
Dorothee Honhon is Associate Professor of Operations Management at the Naveen Jindal School of Management , University of Texas at Dallas. In addition to her faculty role she currently serves as Associate Dean for Sustainability and Societal Impact in the Dean’s Office. Education Ph.D. in Operations Management, New York University , 2006 B.S., University of Liège, Belgium , 2000 Research Interests Dr. Honhon’s scholarship lies at the intersection of retail operations , inventory theory , and sustainability . She investigates how firms can design product assortments, manage inventories, and structure promotions to simultaneously enhance profitability and reduce waste. Her work spans assortment planning under consumer-driven substitution , perishable inventory control , green transportation , and behavioral drivers of execution failures in retail supply chains. A unifying theme is the use of rigorous analytical models, laboratory and field experiments, and data analytics to generate actionable insights for industry. Publications Overview From 2006 to 2025 she has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals such as Production and Operations Management , Manufacturing & Service Operations Management , and Operations Research . Recent work (2023–2025) focuses heavily on food waste reduction and sustainable retail operations , exploring how promotion, packaging, and supply-chain policies jointly influence waste and profit. Earlier contributions advanced assortment optimization and consumer choice modeling under dynamic substitution. Awards & Recognition Wickham Skinner Best Paper Award , Production and Operations Management (2012) Trammell/CBA Foundation Teaching Award for Assistant Professors (2011) University of Texas Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award for Assistant Professors (2010) Teaching & Service She teaches core MBA and Masters courses OPRE 6302 Operations Management and OPRE 6341 Retail Operations . Active in multiple professional societies—INFORMS, POMS, MSOM, WORMS, and the Consortium for Operations Excellence in Retailing—she frequently advises doctoral students and serves on editorial boards, shaping the future of retail operations scholarship.
