Operations research and data analytics is the application of advanced analytical methods to make better data-driven decisions with less risk. Faculty in this area use mathematical and computer models that incorporate simulation, optimization, probability and statistics to understand complex systems and improve system performance.
Operations Research and Analytics
Danial Davarnia
Building a World of Difference Faculty Fellow in Engineering, Assistant Professor
Areas of expertise
- Deterministic optimization (convex relaxations and solution methods for mixed-integer nonlinear programs; interconnections between logical inference and integer programming)
- Stochastic optimization (parameter estimation techniques and statistical analysis of risk)
- Application (network interdiction and transportation)
Research projects
- Outer approximation for integer nonlinear programs via decision making
- Unsplittable network flow problems: models and applications
- Bayesian solution estimators in stochastic optimization
- Consistency in integer programs
Kris De Brabanter
Associate Professor
Areas of expertise:
- Nonparametric statistics and applications (nonparametric regression when errors are correlated; model selection methods for regression and density estimation; asymptotic analysis)
Research projects:
- Combining fluid dynamics, statistics and pattern recognition in bloodstain pattern analysis to quantify spatial uncertainty and remove human bias
- Correlated data analysis
- Long-term memory processes
Qing Li
Building a World of Difference Faculty Fellow in Engineering, Assistant Professor
Areas of expertise:
- Statistics/data analytics/machine learning (quality assurance; supervised/unsupervised learning; Bayesian analysis, predictive analytics, health research)
Research projects:
- Quality assurance and process monitoring in advanced manufacturing
- Health risk prediction
- Tuberculosis prediction and prevention
- Soil roughness quantification and comparison
Cameron MacKenzie
Associate Professor
Areas of expertise:
- Mitigating risk in public policy and business operations (decision and risk analysis, with an emphasis on preparing for and responding to major disruptions and building resilience within organizations)
Research projects:
- Solar and Wind Energy using Engineering Economics Theory (SWEEET)
- Assessing and measuring capabilities for emergency preparedness and analyze emerging risks for the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD)
- Analytical decision making for a digital twin using discrete-event simulation
- Navy Engineering Analytics Program (NEAP) for undergraduate students
K. Jo Min
Associate Professor
Areas of expertise:
- Stochastic optimal control (engineering valuation of projects under uncertainty; optimal timing/impulse control; real options)
- Sustainability modeling (renewable energy generation and transmission planning; closed-loop supply chains; valuation of remanufacturing and supply contracts)
Research projects:
- Valuation of blockchain “ilities” such as traceability and irrefutability
- Engineering valuation of complex projects under uncertainties
- Complex project teaching & learning materials/visualization aids
Sigurdur “Siggi” Olafsson
Associate Professor
Areas of expertise:
- Optimization (heuristic methods for discrete optimization)
- Data Analytics (predictive plant phenomics; data-driven production scheduling; data mining of incident reporting databases; sports analytics)
- Optimization/Data analytics (optimization-based methods for input engineering in data mining)
Research projects:
- Decision support for plant breeding
- Expert system to improve data collection from law enforcement
- Predicting the hardness of new materials
Sarah Ryan
Charles (Turk) and Joyce Therkildsen Chair in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering
Areas of expertise:
- Optimization under uncertainty (data analytics for formulating and verifying stochastic process models; risk considerations in capital investment and operational planning)
Research projects:
- DataFEWSion traineeship for innovations at the nexus of food production, renewable energy and water quality
- Analysis of power system operational uncertainty from gas system dependence
- Closed loop supply chain design for uncertain carbon regulations and random product flows