Optimization Methods without derivatives Professors and Supervisors

Amir Ardestani-Jaafariمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

University of MontrealCanada

Amir Ardestani-Jaafari is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Management, University of British Columbia, specializing in operations research and optimization under uncertainty. His research bridges theoretical advances in robust optimization with practical applications in healthcare operations and supply chain management. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Management Science from HEC Montreal (2012-2016) under Erick Delage Postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University (2019-2021) M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from Tehran Polytechnic Ardestani-Jaafari's research focuses on developing advanced optimization techniques for decision-making under uncertainty, with particular emphasis on healthcare operations. His work combines mathematical modeling, simulation, and algorithm development to address complex operational challenges where traditional optimization methods fail. He has made significant contributions to robust optimization frameworks that can handle unpredictable scenarios in facility location, resource allocation, and appointment scheduling systems. His recent work demonstrates strong trends in applying optimization techniques to healthcare delivery systems, particularly in home healthcare facility location and telemedicine appointment optimization, showing how mathematical approaches can improve healthcare access and equity. Notable awards include: Principal's Research Chair in Data-Driven Operations Management (2023-2028) Multiple Golden Apple teaching awards recognizing his dedication to student learning Finalist for educational resource excellence award (2025) GERAD's Best Thesis award (2017) Ardestani-Jaafari has supervised 13 graduate and undergraduate students across various research projects. He is actively involved with the UBC Optimization Center (COCANA), Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI), and GERAD Research Center, where he collaborates on interdisciplinary projects addressing real-world operational challenges. His current research explores how robust optimization can protect networks against unpredictable events, from forest fires threatening transportation networks to hospitals planning optimal routes for home healthcare delivery.

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Nima Akbarzadehمشاهده پروفایل

پژوهشگر ارشد

University of MontrealCanada

Nima Akbarzadeh is a Research Fellow at HEC Montréal since May 2023, co-supervised by Erick Delage and Yossiri Adulyasak. He previously completed his Doctorate (2017–2022) in Electrical and Computer Engineering at McGill University under Aditya Mahajan's supervision. Current affiliation: HEC Montréal (Postdoctoral Research Fellow) PhD: McGill University (Electrical and Computer Engineering) Research focus areas: Game theory, Mathematical modeling, and Optimization without derivatives Nima's work bridges algorithm development with risk-aware reinforcement learning (RL), particularly in restless multi-arm bandits and weakly coupled Markov decision processes (MDPs). His recent publications at AISTATS 2025 highlight advancements in sequential decision-making frameworks and fair resource allocation strategies. Scientific awards include: 2024 GERAD Postdoctoral Fellowship 2020–2022 FRQNT Doctoral Scholarship 2017–2019 McGill Engineering Doctoral Award He actively participates in academic workshops and seminars, including IVADO's Risk-Aware/Safe RL Workshop (2023) and McGill's Informal Systems Theory Seminar (2021).

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Esther Dermanمشاهده پروفایل

پژوهشگر ارشد

University of MontrealCanada

Esther Derman is a Research Fellow at MILA, affiliated with the Canada Research Chair in Decision-Making Under Uncertainty. Her work involves game theory, mathematical modeling, and optimization methods, with a focus on decision-making under uncertainty and reinforcement learning. She collaborates with co-directors Erick Delage and Pierre-Luc Bacon. Research Interests: Game theory, optimal order modeling, simulation, and derivative-free optimization methods. Scientific Recognition: Holds the prestigious Canada Research Chair in Decision-Making Under Uncertainty. On October 23, 2023, she presented a seminar at GERAD titled 'Regularization and Robustness in Reinforcement Learning'.

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Bong Shin Hauمشاهده پروفایل

مدرس

Swinburne University of TechnologyAustralia

Dr. Bong Shin Hau serves as a Lecturer at Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, within the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science. His research program centers on revolutionizing construction practices through sustainable material innovations, particularly in 3D concrete printing and waste upcycling technologies. His academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) and PhD in Civil Engineering, both completed at Swinburne University of Technology's Melbourne campus in 2016 and 2021 respectively. Prior to his current position, he gained significant research experience as a Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Dr. Bong's research portfolio demonstrates exceptional focus on sustainable construction solutions. His work spans 3D concrete printing technology , alkali-activated materials , strain-hardening cementitious composites , and waste upcycling in construction . He has developed ambient-cured 'just-add-water' geopolymer systems that eliminate complex chemical processes while maintaining printability, and pioneered methods for incorporating industrial byproducts like wollastonite microfibers to enhance material performance without increasing carbon footprint. His scientific contributions have been recognized through notable awards: Silver Award, American Concrete Institute Singapore Chapter Project Competition (2022) 3rd Place, The Green Concrete Cube Competition (2023) Swinburne University Postgraduate Research Award (SUPRA) (2017) Dr. Bong maintains active research funding through industry partnerships, particularly in Singapore and Malaysia, where he has secured projects focused on solid waste upcycling for concrete production. His professional affiliations include Graduate Membership in the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and Young Membership in RILEM (International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials). As an early-career academic, he actively supervises student research and collaborates with international institutions to advance sustainable construction technologies.

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Arshak R. Alexanianمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار مدعو

Medical College of WisconsinUnited States

Dr. Arshak R. Alexanian is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin and a member of the Cardiovascular Research Center. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, he has held faculty positions at Colorado State University and has been continuously affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin since 2001, progressing from Assistant Professor to his current adjunct position. Dr. Alexanian's research focuses on stem cell reprogramming, neural differentiation, and epigenetic mechanisms with applications for neurological disorders. His work bridges basic science and translational medicine, particularly in developing cell-based therapies for Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, and glioblastoma. He has pioneered methods using small molecule combinations to reprogram mesenchymal stem cells into neural-like cells without genetic manipulation, creating promising therapeutic approaches. His recent publications (2022-2024) demonstrate continued productivity in epigenetic reprogramming, Parkinson's disease models, and glioblastoma treatment strategies. These works reveal a consistent research trajectory focused on developing clinically applicable stem cell technologies that emphasize safety, efficiency, and translational potential. Notable Scientific Awards: George Soros Foundation Award (1994) UNESCO International Training Course Award (1995) Committee of 6th European Symposium on Calcium Binding Proteins (2000) American Association of Anatomists Award (2002) Global Spine Congress Award (2009) World Forum for Spine Research Award (2010) Dr. Alexanian has secured significant research funding as Principal Investigator, including multiple NIH SBIR grants, NSF awards, and foundation support for his work on stem cell reprogramming and neural regeneration. His research program has consistently focused on developing clinically translatable approaches to neurological disorders through innovative stem cell technologies.

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Jonathan J. Wylieمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

City University of Hong KongHong Kong SAR

Prof. Jonathan J. Wylie serves as a Professor at City University of Hong Kong, holding a PhD from King's College, University of Cambridge, UK. His academic trajectory includes a Junior Research Fellowship at King's College, followed by research appointments at Cornell University, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the University of Toronto prior to his current position. His research expertise spans fluid mechanics , granular materials , suspension mechanics , and mathematical modeling of geophysical systems , with seminal contributions to viscous thread dynamics and coupled partial differential equations. His interdisciplinary work bridges industrial applications with fundamental physics. Analysis of his recent publications reveals dominant research threads in granular flow intermittency , thermal effects in viscous filaments , and mathematical neuroscience . His methodology consistently combines asymptotic analysis with computational modeling to address complex multiphysics problems, demonstrating strong cross-disciplinary collaboration between physics, engineering, and life sciences. His distinguished scientific recognition includes: Junior Research Fellowship from King's College, Cambridge Wylie has secured major research funding from the National Science Foundation (USA), Australian Research Council, and Hong Kong's Research Grant Council. As associate editor of the IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics , he actively shapes scholarly discourse. His extensive publication record in high-impact journals like Journal of Fluid Mechanics and Physical Review E demonstrates sustained research productivity without explicit mention of advisees in available materials. While specific laboratory facilities aren't documented, his international collaborations with institutions across North America, Europe, and Asia indicate participation in global research networks addressing industrially relevant fluid dynamics challenges.

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Bin Suمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Cleveland State UniversityUnited States

Dr. Bin Su is a Professor at Cleveland State University, affiliated with the Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease (GRHD). His research is focused on drug development for cancer treatment and parasitic diseases, particularly African trypanosomiasis. He maintains his laboratory at the Science and Research Building, Room 327, and can be reached at (216) 687-9219. Dr. Su's primary research interests center on anti-cancer and anti-trypanosome drug development. His laboratory has made significant contributions in two major areas: Hsp27 inhibitor development for overcoming cancer drug resistance, and selective tubulin inhibitors for treating African sleeping sickness. Through innovative approaches including biotinylated small molecular probes, affinity chromatography, and proteomic techniques, his team has identified promising drug candidates that have been screened by the National Cancer Institute against 60 human cancer cell lines. Analysis of Dr. Su's recent publications reveals a strong focus on molecular targeting strategies in cancer therapeutics, particularly for glioblastoma and breast cancer. His work demonstrates expertise in HSP27 inhibition, tubulin targeting, and receptor modulation (including androgen receptor, HER2, and EphA2). A consistent theme across his publications is the optimization of drug candidates for improved efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties, with several studies focusing on brain delivery for glioblastoma treatment. Dr. Su actively mentors graduate students, with Fatma Salem listed as a Ph.D. student in his laboratory. His research has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals including Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, ACS Infectious Diseases, and Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry. He also holds multiple patents related to cancer treatment, including 'Amide Derivatives of Benzene-Sulfonanilide, Pharmaceutical Composition Thereof and Method for Cancer Treatment Using the Same' (US 12/906,315). Dr. Su's laboratory employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, and pharmacological techniques to develop novel therapeutics. His collaborative work with Dr. Bibo Li at BGES has been particularly fruitful in identifying selective compounds that target parasite tubulin without affecting mammalian cells, offering promising avenues for treating African trypanosomiasis.

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