Teaching

Service

Awards

Affiliations

Test_Instances

Halit Üster

(Ph.D., Management Science/Systems, McMaster University, Canada)

Professor

Operations Research and Engineering Management (OREM)
Civil and Environmental Engineering (by courtesy)

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Academic Appointments

2014-Present	Professor, Operations Research and Engineering Management, SMU
2014-Present	Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, SMU (by courtesy)
2017-Present	Fellow, Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity, SMU
2008-2014	Associate Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University
2013 (03-08)	Visiting Associate Professor, Industrial Engineering, Koc University, Turkey
2009-2010	Visiting Eshbach Scholar, IEMS Department, Northwestern University
2002 2008	Assistant Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Texas A&M University
2000 2002	Visiting Assistant Professor, Information & Operations Management, Texas A&M University.
1999 2000	Visiting Assistant Professor, Industrial Engineering, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Research Interests

Uster s research interests are in optimization models and efficient solution algorithms for design and analysis of networked systems with applications in logistics and communications. Societal impact is typically a central theme and emphasis in the applications of Uster s research. Specifically, his recent research focuses on application areas including electric vehicle charging networks, emergency logistics networks for disaster preparedness, multi-commodity and relay networks in transportation to address driver turnover and shortage problems, biomass/bio-energy logistics networks for sustainable energy, closed-loop logistics and recycling networks, integrated production-distribution-inventory networks, and wireless sensor networks with environmental monitoring applications.

PhD Program Inquiries

Publications

Unsal, O., Uster, H, and Oguz, C., Incorporating Patients' Appointment Date Preferences into Decision-Making: A Simulation and Optimization Study, forthcoming in Computers & Industrial Engineering, 2024.
Hwang, S., Uster, H, and Savaskan-Ebert, C. R., Reverse Channel Selection for Commercial Product Returns under Time-Value Considerations, Annals of Operations Research, Online on February 10, 2023.
Kewcharoenwong, P., Li, Q., and Uster, H., Lagrangean Relaxation Algorithms for Fixed-Charge Capacitated Relay Network Design, Omega, Vol. 121, December 2023.
Li, Q. Uster, H. and Zhang, Z., A Bilevel Model for Robust Network Design and Biomass Pricing under Farmers' Risk Attitudes and Supply Uncertainty, Transportation Science, Vol. 57, No. 5 pp. 1296-1320, 2023.
Ziaeifar, A. and Uster, H, Relay Network Design with Direct Shipment and Multi-Relay Assignment, Annals of Operations Research, Vol. 328, pp. 1585 1614, 2023.
Memisoglu, G. and Uster, H., Design of a Biofuel Supply Network under Stochastic and Price-Dependent Biomass Availability, IISE Transactions, Vol. 53. No. 8, pp. 869-882, 2021.
Mubarak, M., Uster, H., Abdelghany, K., and Khodayar, M. E., Strategic Network Design and Analysis for In-Motion Wireless Charging of Electric Vehicles, Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Vol. 145, January, pp. 1-21, 2021.
Dalal, J. and Uster, H., Robust Emergency Relief Supply Planning for Foreseen Disasters under Evacuation Side Uncertainty, Transportation Science, Vol. 55, No. 3, pp. 791 813, 2021.
Uster, H. and Memisoglu, G., Biomass Logistics Network Design under Price-based Supply and Yield Uncertainty, Transportation Science, Vol. 52, No. 2, pp. 474 492, 2018.
Manshadi, S. D., Khodayar, M. E., Abdelghany, K., and Uster, H., Wireless Charging of Electric Vehicles in Electricity and Transportation Networks, IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid. Vol. 9, No.5, pp. 4503-4512, 2018.
Dalal, J. and Uster, H., Combining Worst Case and Average Case Considerations in an Integrated Emergency Response Network Design Problem, Transportation Science, Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. 171 188, 2018.
Uster, H., Wang, X., and Yates, J.T., Strategic Evacuation Network Design (SEND) under Cost and Time Considerations, Transportation Research Part B: Methodological. Vol. 107, pp. 124-145, 2018.
Kewcharoenwong, P. and Uster, H., Relay Network Design with Capacity and Link-Imbalance Considerations: A Lagrangean Decomposition Algorithm and Analysis, Transportation Science, Vol. 51, No. 4, pp. 1177-1195 , 2017.
Uster, H. and Hwang, S., Closed-loop Supply Chain Network Design under Demand and Return Uncertainty, Transportation Science, Vol. 51, No. 4, pp. 1063-1085, 2017.
Uster, H. and Dalal, J., Strategic Emergency Preparedness Network Design Integrating Supply and Demand Sides in a Multi-Objective Approach, IISE Transactions, Vol. 49/4, pp. 395-413, 2017. (Featured in the ISE Magazine in March 2017.)
Marzouk, A., Moreno-Centeno, E., and Uster, H., A Branch and Price Algorithm for Solving the Hamiltonian p-median Problem, INFORMS Journal on Computing, Vol. 28/4, pp. 674-686, 2016.
Memisoglu, G. and Uster, H., Integrated Bio-Energy Supply Chain Network Planning Problem, Transportation Science, Vol. 50/1, pp. 35-56, 2016.
Uster, H. and Dilaveroglu, S., Optimization for Design and Operation of Natural Gas Transmission Networks, Applied Energy, Vol. 133, pp. 56-69, 2014.
Cetinkaya, S., Keskin, B. B., and Uster, H., Characterization of Facility Assignment Costs for a Location-Inventory Model under Truckload Distribution, Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 65, pp. 1371-1379, 2014.
Kewcharoenwong, P. and Uster, H., Benders Decomposition Algorithms for the Fixed-Charge Relay Network Design in Telecommunications, Telecommunication Systems, Vol. 56/4, pp. 441-453, 2014.
Lin, H. and Uster, H., A Parallel Algorithm with Enhancements via Partial Objective Value Cuts for Cluster-based Wireless Sensor Network Design, Journal of Parallel and Distributed Computing, Vol. 74/7, pp. 2615-2625, 2014.
Lin, H. and Uster, H., Exact and Heuristic Algorithms for Data-Gathering Cluster-Based Wireless Sensor Network Design Problem, IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, Vol. 22/3, pp. 903-916, 2014.
Karakayali, I., Akcali, E., Cetinkaya, S., and Uster, H. Capacitated Replenishment and Disposal Planning for Multiple Products with Resalable Returns, Annals of Operations Research, Vol. 203/1, pp. 325-350, 2013.
Keskin, B. B. and Uster, H., Production/Distribution System Design with Inventory Considerations, Naval Research Logistics, Vol. 59/2, pp. 172-195, 2012.
Uster, H. and Kewcharoenwong, P., Strategic Design and Analysis of a Relay Network in Truckload Transportation, Transportation Science, Vol. 45/4, pp. 505-523, 2011.
Tores-Soto, J. E. and Uster, H., Dynamic Demand Capacitated Facility Location Problems with and without Relocation, International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 49/13, pp. 3979-4005, 2011.
Uster, H. and Agrahari, H., A Benders Decomposition Approach for a Distribution Network Design Problem with Consolidation and Capacity Considerations, Operations Research Letters, Vol. 39/2, pp. 138-143, 2011.
Uster, H. and Lin, H., Integrated Topology Control and Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks for Prolonged Network Lifetime, Ad Hoc Networks, Vol. 9/5, pp. 835-851, 2011.
Easwaran, G. and Uster, H., A Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Design Problem with Integrated Forward and Reverse Channel Decisions, IIE Transactions, Vol. 42/11, pp. 779-792, 2010. (Featured in the IE Magazine in October 2010.)
Keskin, B. B., Uster, H., and Cetinkaya, S., Integration of Strategic and Tactical Decisions for Vendor Selection under Capacity Constraints, Computers and Operations Research, Vol. 37, pp. 2182-2191, 2010.
Uster, H. and Agrahari, H., An Integrated Load-Planning Problem with Intermediate Consolidated Truckload Assignments, IIE Transactions, Vol. 42/7, pp. 490-513, 2010.
Uster, H. and Kumar, S.K.S., Algorithms for the Design of Network Topologies with Balanced Disjoint Rings, Journal of Heuristics, Vol. 16/1, pp. 37-63, 2010.
Cetinkaya, S., Uster, H., Easwaran, G., and Keskin, B. B., An Integrated Outbound Logistics Model for Frito-Lay: Coordinating Aggregate Level Production and Distribution Decisions, Interfaces, Vol. 39, pp. 460-475, 2009 (Finalist for The Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in Operations Research, INFORMS, 2008).
Easwaran, G. and Uster, H., Tabu Search and Benders Decomposition Approaches for a Capacitated Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Design Problem, Transportation Science, Vol. 43/3, pp. 301-320, 2009.
Akcali, E., Cetinkaya, S. and Uster, H., Network Design for Reverse and Closed-Loop Supply Chains: An Annotated Bibliography of Models and Solution Approaches, Networks, Vol. 53/3, pp. 231-248, 2009.
Uster, H., Keskin, B. B. and Cetinkaya, S., Integrated Warehouse Location and Inventory Decisions in a Three-Tier Distribution System, IIE Transactions, Vol. 40/8, pp. 718-732, 2008. (Featured in the IE Magazine in August 2008.)
Uster, H., Easwaran, G., Akcali, E. and Cetinkaya, S., Benders Decomposition with Alternative Multiple Cuts for a Multi-Product Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Design Model, Naval Research Logistics, Vol. 54/8, pp. 890-907, 2007.
Keskin, B. B. and Uster, H., Meta-heuristic Approaches with Memory and Evolution for Multi-Product Production/Distribution System Design Problem, European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 182/2, pp. 663-682, 2007.
Uster, H. and Maheshwari, N., Strategic Network Design for Multi-Zone Truckload Shipments, IIE Transactions, Vol. 39/2, pp. 177-189, 2007.
Keskin, B. B. and Uster, H., A Scatter Search-based Heuristic to Locate Capacitated Transshipment Points, Computers and Operations Research, Vol. 34/10, pp. 3112-3125, 2007.
Uster, H. and Love, R. F., Formulation of Confidence Intervals for Estimated Actual Distances, European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 151/3, pp. 586-601, 2003.
Uster, H. and Love, R. F., Duality in Constrained Multi-Facility Location Models, Naval Research Logistics, Vol. 49/4, pp. 410-421, 2002.
Uster, H. and Love, R. F., A Generalization of the Rectangular Bounding Method for Continuous Location Models, Computers and Mathematics with Applications, Vol. 4/1-2, pp. 181-191, 2002.
Uster, H. and Love, R. F., Application of Weighted Sum of Order p to Distance Estimation, IIE Transactions, Vol. 33/8, pp. 675-684, 2001.
Uster, H. and Love, R. F., On the Directional Bias of the L_bp-norm, European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 128/3, pp. 664-673, 2001.
Love, R. F. and Uster, H., A Statistical Comparison of Three Goodness-of-Fit Criteria Used in Modeling Distances, Journal of Applied Mathematics and Decision Sciences, Vol. 5/4, pp.235-251, 2001.
Uster, H. and Love, R. F., The Convergence of the Weiszfeld's Algorithm, Computers and Mathematics with Applications, Vol. 40/5, pp. 443-451, 2000.

Grants

Makris, N. (PI), H. DeShon (co-PI), and H. Uster (co-PI), Assessing the Urban Seismic Risk in the US from a Magnitude, Mw=7.8 Earthquake, Lyle School of Engineering Seed Funding, 2023-2024, $30,000.
Uster, H. (PI), Infrastructure Systems Planning of Integrated Preparedness Logistics Networks for Large-Scale Foreseen Disasters, National Science Foundation (CMMI 2114102), 2021-2024, $315,580.
Uster, H. (PI), Workshop: Grantees and Future Research Directions in Service, Manufacturing, and Operations Research (NSF-SMOR) Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, National Science Foundation (CMMI 1650203), 2016-2017, $49,943.
Uster, H. (SMU PI) and T. Ferris (TAMU PI), Collaborative Research: Integrated Data-Driven Methodologies to Addressing the Driver Turnover and Shortage Problems in Truckload Transportation, National Science Foundation (CMMI 1538115), 2015-2018, $423,370 (total), $236,491 (SMU).
Khodayar, M. (PI), H. Uster (co-PI), and K. Abdelghany (co-PI), EAGER: Integrated Planning and Operation of Electricity-Transportation Networks for Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging, National Science Foundation (CMMI 1550448), 2015-2016, $154,920.
Uster, H. (TAMU PI), J.D. Hong (SCSU PI), Y. Xie (SCSU Co-PI), and H. Selassie (SCSU Co-PI), Optimization and Simulation of Integrated Biomass and Bio-energy Logistics Networks, US Department of Agriculture, 2011-2014, $670,433 (total), $171,012 (TAMU).
Uster, H. (PI), Sensors: Models and Algorithms for Efficient Design and Operation of Wireless Sensor Networks, National Science Foundation (CMMI 0428831), 2005-2008, $160,000.

o Two CIEG (Cyberinfrastructure Experiences for Graduates) Supplements ($15,000 each) for studies at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), Summer 2007 and Summer 2008.

o REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) Supplement ($6,000 each), Spring 2008.

Uster, H. (TAMU PI), S. Cetinkaya (TAMU co-PI), and E. Akcali (UF PI), Collaborative Research: Analytical Approaches for the Design and Operation of Closed-Loop Supply Chains, National Science Foundation (CMMI 0522980), 2005-2008, $303,258 (total), $182,212 (TAMU).
Uster, H. (PI) and S. Cetinkaya (co-PI), Operational Level Distribution Optimization, Frito-Lay Inc. and Pepsi Co., 2006-2007, $212,000.
Cetinkaya, S. (PI) and H. Uster (co-PI), Coordinating Production Output and Distribution Decisions, Frito-Lay Inc., 2005-2006, $158,000.
Uster, H. (PI), Student Travel Support for the 2008 INFORMS Southwest Regional Conference, College Station, TX, April 18-19, 2008, National Science Foundation (CMMI 0823505), $10,000.

Invited Seminars

University of Florida, Industrial and Systems Engineering, September 2023.
Northeastern University, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, February 2021.
University of Texas-Austin, Operations Research/Industrial Engineering, February 2021.
University of Texas-Arlington, Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering, November 2019.
Mississippi State University, Industrial Engineering, April 2018.
North Carolina State University, Industrial and Systems Engineering, February 2017.
Arizona State University, Computing, Informatics, and Decision Systems Engineering, February 2014.
Seventh Annual Workshop on Supply Chain and Logistics, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey. June 2013.
Koc University, ORCIBS Seminar Series, Istanbul, Turkey, May 2013.
Middle East Technical University (METU), Industrial Engineering, Ankara, Turkey, May 2013.
Bilkent University, Industrial Engineering, Ankara, Turkey, May 2013.
Bogazici University, Industrial Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey, April 2013.
University of Houston, Industrial Engineering, November 2012.
Sabanci University, Manufacturing Systems/Industrial Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey, August 2012.
Koc University, Industrial Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey, July 2012.
Erasmus University, Rotterdam School of Management, The Netherlands, August 2011.
Texas A&M University, ISE, Parsons Seminar Series, September 2010.
University of Texas-Austin, Operations Research/Industrial Engineering, March 2010.
University of Michigan, Industrial and Operations Engineering, March 2010.
Northwestern University, Transportation Center, February 2010.
Northwestern University, Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, October 2009.
Monterrey Tech, Industrial Engineering, Toluca, Mexico, November 2006.
University of Calgary, Haskayne School of Business, Canada. January 2002.
University of Toronto, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Canada. January 2000.

Student Advising

PhD Students

Vala Rahmati
Leyla Sadat Tavassoli
Siavash Tabrizian, (co-advised with Harsha Gangammanavar), Sampling-based Algorithms for Two-stage Stochastic Programs and Applications, December 2021.

Data Scientist at USX Variant, Atlanta, GA (position upon graduation)

Qiaofeng Li, Logistics Network Design Problems in Transportation and Bioenergy Supply Networks, Visiting doctoral student from Department of Industrial Engineering at Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, 2019-2020.
Nadere Mansouri, Cost- and Time- Effective Regional Evacuation Network Design and Operation under Travel Congestion and Uncertainty, December 2019.

Operations Research Analyst at Norfolk Southern, Atlanta, GA (position upon graduation)

Amin Ziaeifar, Generalized Relay Network Design and Collaborative Dispatching in Truckload Transportation, December 2019.

Operations Research Analyst at Sabre, Dallas, TX (position upon graduation)

Mamdouh Mubarak, Network Design For In-Motion Wireless Charging Of Electric Vehicles: Models And Algorithms, December 2018. (The Global Grand Challenges Summit- Graduate Award for Original Research, awarded by the US National Academy of Engineering (NAE), the UK Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Chinese Academy of Engineering)

Operations Research Analyst at ExxonMobil, Houston, TX (position upon graduation)

Ahmed Marzouk (co-advised with E. Moreno-Centeno), The Slim Branch-and-Price Method with an Application to The Hamiltonian p-Median Problem, December 2016.

Postdoctoral Fellow at SMU, Dallas, TX (position upon graduation)

Gokhan Memisoglu, Bio-Energy Logistics Network Design Under Price-Based Supply and Yield Uncertainty, December 2014.

Operations Research Analyst at Llamasoft Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (position upon graduation)

Jyotirmoy Dalal, Models and Solution Approaches for Emergency Response Network Design Integrating Supply and Demand Sides, December 2014.

Assistant Professor, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Udaipur, India (position upon graduation)

Sung Ook Hwang, Methods and Analysis for Recovery Logistics Networks with Uncertainty and Channel Selection Considerations, December 2014.

Senior Operations Research Analyst at NetJets, Columbus, OH (position upon graduation)

Xinghua Wang (co-advised J. Yates), Discrete Optimization and Agent-based Simulation for Regional Evacuation Network Design Problem, December 2012.

Senior Operations Research Analyst at FedEx, Memphis, TN (position upon graduation)

Hui Lin, Models and Solution Approaches for Efficient Design and Operation of Wireless Sensor Networks, December 2010.

Operations Research Analyst at the Bank of America, Dallas, TX (position upon graduation)

Panitan (Ken) Kewcharoenwong, Relay Network Design in Logistics and Telecommunications: Models and Solution Approaches, May 2010.

Postdoctoral fellow, IEMS Department, Northwestern University (position upon graduation). Ken was a recipient of the 2009 INFORMS Judith Liebman Award.

Joqauin E. Tores-Soto, Dynamic and Robust Capacitated Facility Location in Time Varying Demand Environments, May 2009.

Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, ITESM Campus Chihuahua, Mexico (position upon graduation)

Gopal Easwaran (co-advised with S. Cetinkaya), Decomposition Based Solution Approaches for Multi-product Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Design Models, August 2008.

Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering at St. Mary's University, San Antonio, TX (position upon graduation)

Homarjun Agrahari, Models and Solution Approaches for Intermodal and Less-than-Truckload Network Design with Load Consolidations, December 2007.

Senior Operations Research Analyst at BNSF Railway, Fort Worth, TX (position upon graduation). Homarjun was a recipient of the 2008 INFORMS Judith Liebman Award.

Burcu B. Keskin (co-advised with S. Cetinkaya), Joint Optimization of Location and Inventory Decisions for Improving Supply Chain Cost Performance, December 2007.

Assistant professor at the School of Business, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL (position upon graduation). Burcu received the 2007-2008 Excellence in Research-Doctoral Award from the Association of Former Students at TAMU. Burcu also received the 2007 International Transportation Management Association James Costello Memorial Award and the 2007 Transportation Clubs Award, both recognizing her scholarly activities in supply chain design and transportation. Burcu was also a recipient of the 2007 INFORMS Judith Liebman Award.

DEEM Students (Praxair)

Mohammed A. Qaudeer, Praxair Title: Blockchain And Its Transformational Impact to Global Business, August 2020.

MSc Students (Thesis or Project)

Sebnem Dilaveroglu, Thesis Title: Optimization for Design and Operation of Natural Gas Transmission Networks, December 2012.
Sarath K. Sasi Kumar, Thesis Title: A Multi-exchange Heuristic for Formation of Balanced Disjoint Rings, August 2005.
Nimish Maheshwari, Thesis Title: A Network Design Model for Multi-zone Truckload Shipments, December 2004.
Vishal V. Karnik, Project Title: Site Selection Problem with Location and Delocation of Facilities, December 2004.
Stefan Pissors, Project Title: An Empirical Study on the Goodness-of-fit Criteria Used in Predicting Road Network Distances, May 2000.

Undergraduate Students

Ahren Lacy (NSF-REU), Algorithms and Approaches for Wireless Sensors Network Design, graduate mentor Hui Lin, Spring 2008. Ahren later graduated from TAMU ISE Department and started graduate studies at the Management Science and Engineering Department, Stanford University.
Richard Ivey (USRG at TAMU), Analysis of Integrated Inventory and Location Decisions in Supply Chains, graduate mentor Burcu B. Keskin, Summer 2006. Richard later graduated from Auburn University ISE Department and started graduate studies at the ISE Department, North Carolina State University.
Josh Skinner (USRG at TAMU), Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure for a Capacitated Distribution Network Design Problem, graduate mentor Homarjun Agrahari, Summer 2005. Josh later graduated from Louisiana Tech University IE Department and started at J.B. Hunt Transportation Logistics Company.

Teaching

Operations Research and Engineering Management, SMU

EMIS 3360 Operations Research
EMIS 7300 Systems Analysis Methods (Lyle Executive Ed)
EMIS 8374 Network Flows
EMIS 8383 Advanced Logistics Networks

Industrial and Systems Engineering, TAMU

ISEN 302 Engineering Economy
ISEN 315 Production Systems Planning
ISEN 416 Location, Layout and Material Handling
ISEN 601 Facilities Location
ISEN 661 Network Flows
ISEN 603 Advanced Logistics
ISEN 621 Heuristic Optimization

Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, Northwestern University

IEMS 450-1 Mathematical Programming I
IEMS 407 Quantitative Methods (MEM)

Information and Operations Management, TAMU

Operations Management
Operations Planning and Control (Factory Physics and the Goal)

Industrial Engineering, University of Alabama

Engineering Statistics I
Engineering Statistics II
Operations Research I
Production Planning and Control
Engineering Economics

Professional Service

Department Editor, IISE Transactions on Supply Chains and Logistics, 2024 present
Associate Editor, Transportation Science, 2018-present.
Associate Editor, IIE Transactions on Scheduling and Logistics, 2005 2010, 2014-2024.
Editorial Board Member, Sustainability Analytics and Modelling, 2021-present.
Chair, Best Paper Award Committee, IISE Transactions in Supply Chains and Logistics, 8/2023-Present.
Member INFORMS Transportation Science and Logistics Society (TSL) Conference Scientific Committee, Chicago, IL, July 2023.
Chair, INFORMS Combined Colloquia, Anaheim, CA, 2021 and Indianapolis, IN, 2022.
Member, The Academic Lifetime Achievement Award Committee, The IISE Energy Systems Division (ESD), 2021-2022.
Co-Chair, INFORMS Interactive Poster and Competition, INFORMS Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, 2021.
Member, INFORMS Second TSL (Transportation Science and Logistics) Society Conference Scientific Committee to take place in Washington DC, July 2020.
Guest Editor Special Issue: Modeling and Analysis of Supply Planning and Operations for Sustainable Bioenergy Systems IISE Transactions Focused Issue on Operations Engineering and Analytics, 2018-2020.
Invited Participant NSF Cyberinfrastructure Workshop on Computational Operations Research and Community-oriented Analytics (cORe), Information Sciences Institute (ISI), Viterbi School of Engineering at USC, Los Angeles, CA, April 2019.
Member, INFORMS Scholarships Committee, 2019.
Chair, NSF Workshop on Future Directions in Service, Manufacturing, and Operations Research, Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dallas, TX. March 29-31, 2019. https://people.smu.edu/nsfworkshop/
Co-Chair, DCII Fellows Seminar Workshop on Operations Research and Statistics: Toward Integrated Analytics, Southern Methodist University (SMU), Dallas, TX. April 26-27, 2019. https://people.smu.edu/dciiworkshop/
Chair, INFORMS Scholarships Committee (inaugural), 2018.
Participant, INFORMS Speakers Program, since 2018.
Panelist JFIG Panel: Becoming a More Productive Writer, INFORMS, Phoenix, AZ, November 2018.
Chair, TSL Society Dissertation Prize Committee, INFORMS, 2017.
Reviewer, INFORMS JFIG (Junior Faculty Interest Group) Paper Competition, 2017.
Member, Scientific Committee of the First INFORMS TSL Conference, Chicago, IL, July 26-29, 2017.
Member, TSL (Transportation Science and Logistics) Society Dissertation Prize Committee, INFORMS, 2015, 2016.
Member, Nicholson Prize Committee, INFORMS, 2015-2017.
Member, INFORMS Scholarships Ad Hoc Committee, 2016. Proposed the Scholarships Program to be established in INFORMS.
Co-Chair, INFORMS Second New Faculty Colloquium, INFORMS Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, 2015.
Chair, INFORMS First New Faculty Colloquium, INFORMS Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, November, 2014. Proposed and established the New Faculty Colloquium in INFORMS.
Panel Organizer, How to Undertake Collaborative Research, INFORMS Conference, Phoenix, AZ, 2012.
Member, INFORMS Subdivisions Council, 2007 - 2009.
General Chair and Program Co-chair, INFORMS Southwest Regional Conference, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, April, 2008.
Chair, UPS-SOLA Bi-Annual Dissertation Award Committee (SOLA: INFORMS Section on Location Analysis), 2007.
Cluster Co-Chair, INFORMS sessions sponsored by the Telecommunications Section. Seattle, WA, 2007 and Washington DC, 2008.
Member, Organizing Committee of the New Faculty Colloquium at IERC, Orlando, FL, 2006.
Session Organizer

Network Design Applications in Supply Chains, INFORMS Conference, Austin, TX, 2010.
Design Issues in Wireless Sensor Networks, INFORMS Conference, Seattle, WA, 2007.
Integrated Models for Production/Distribution System Design, IERC, Atlanta, GA, 2005.
Optimization in Closed-Loop Supply Chains (co-organized with E. Akcali), INFORMS Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, 2006.

Referee : Ad Hoc Networks, Annals of Operations Research, Applied Mathematics and Computation, Computers and Industrial Engineering, Computers and Operations Research, Discrete Applied Mathematics, EURO Journal on Transportation and Logistics, European Journal of Operational Research, IEEE GLOBECOM 2011 - Ad-hoc and Sensor Networking Symposium, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, IISE Transactions: Scheduling and Logistics, Interfaces, International Journal of Industrial Engineering, International Journal of Production Research, International Transactions of Operations Research, INFORMS Journal on Computing, Journal of Heuristics, Journal of the Operational Research Society, Manufacturing and Services Operations Management (M&SOM), Mathematical Methods of OR, Mathematical Programming, Naval Research Logistics, Omega, Operations Research, Production and Operations Management, Sensors, Telecommunication Systems, Transportation Research-Part B, Transportation Research-Part C, Transportation Research-Part E, and Transportation Science.
Panelist in National Science Foundation Review Panels, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2020.
Reviewer, The Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2021.

Internal Service

University

Member, Dean Search Committee for Lyle School of Engineering, Southern Methodist University (SMU), 2022.
Member, Committee on Doctoral Studies in Data Science, Southern Methodist University (SMU), 2021-2022.
Member, Task Force on Data Science & Analytics, Southern Methodist University (SMU), 2017-2019.
Fellow, SMU Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute (DCII). Organizer for Fellows Seminar: Operations Research and Statistics: Toward Integrated Analytics, Dedman College, SMU, Dallas, TX, 2017-2018 (with Tony Ng from Stat-SMU). Funded by DCII ($10,000).
Member, Academic IT Council (Lyle representative), SMU, 2015-2018.
Member, Faculty Senate, SMU, 2015-2018.
Member, Senate Committee on Research and Graduate Education, SMU, 2015-2018.
Organizer, Interdisciplinary Research Cluster: Operations Research and Statistics towards Integrated Analytics, Dedman College, SMU, Dallas, TX, 2016-2017. (with Tony Ng from Stat-SMU). Funded by Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute ($2,000) and Scott-Hawkins Lecture Funds ($2,000).
Member, Senate Committee on Faculty Benefits, SMU, 2016-2017.
Member, University Research Council, SMU, 2014-2016.
Member, Faculty Senate, TAMU, 2013 2014.
Member, Senate Research Committee, TAMU, 2013-2014.

College

Member, Research Development Council, Lyle School of Engineering, SMU, 2015-Present.
Member, Lyle Technology Needs Group, 2017-present.
Chair, Promotion and Tenure Committee, SMU Lyle School of Engineering, 2016-2017.
Member, Promotion and Tenure Committee, SMU Lyle School of Engineering, 2015-2016, 2019-2020, 2020-2021.
Member, EFAC (Engineering Faculty Advisory Council) Look College of Engineering, TAMU, 2013 2014.
Member, College of Engineering Growth Committee, TAMU, 2013-2014.
Faculty Participant, Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program, College of Engineering, TAMU, Summer 2006.

Department

Director, Operations Research Graduate Program, EMIS Department, SMU, 2016-Present.
Member, Graduate Committee, OREM Department, Fall 2022-Present.
Advisor, MSOR Program Students, OREM Department, SMU, Fall 2016-Present.
Chair, Faculty Search Committee, OREM Department, SMU, 2015-2020, 2021-2022.
Chair, Promotion and Tenure Committee, OREM Department, SMU, 2017-Present.
Member, OREM Course Coordination Committee on OR Methodology, 2019-Present.
Mentor, Junior Faculty Mentorship (2), OREM Department, SMU, 2018-Present.
Seminar Series Organizer, EMIS Department, SMU, Fall 2019.
Faculty Advisor, SMU INFORMS Student Chapter, 2015-2018.
Faculty Advisor, Texas A&M University (TAMU) INFORMS Student Chapter, 2004 (inception) 2008 and 2011-2012. The chapter won the INFORMS Summa Cum Laude awards in 2006, 2008 and Magna Cum Laude awards in 2007, 2011.
Seminar Series Organizer, Industrial and Systems Engineering Seminar Series, TAMU, Fall 2012 and 2013.
Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISEN) TAMU Departmental Committees at TAMU

Chair, Growth Committee, 2013-2014.

Member, ISEN Department Head Search Committee, 2011-2012.

Chair, Ph.D. Student Career Development Committee, 2008-2009.

Member, Computer Committee, 2008-2009, 2010-2011.

Member, Ph.D. Student Career Development Committee, 2007-2008, 2010-2011.

Member, Graduate Committee, 2006-2007, 2011-2012.

Member, Faculty Search Committee, 2005-2006.

Member, Awards Committee, 2004-2005.

Member, Undergraduate Committee, 2002-2005, 2012-2013.

ABET Course Coordinator, ISEN 416 Facility Layout, Location and Material Handling, TAMU, 2005-2013.

Selected Awards

Caterpillar Teaching Excellence Award, Dwight Look College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2011.
Eshbach Society Distinguished Visiting Scholar in the McCormick School of Engineering & Applied Science, Northwestern University, 2009.
Faculty Appreciation Award, INFORMS Student Chapter, 2004 and 2009, Texas A&M University.
Research Featured in the IE Magazine, Strategic Emergency Preparedness Network Design Integrating Supply and Demand Sides in a Multi-Objective Approach, March 2017.
Research Featured in the IE Magazine, A Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Design Problem with Integrated Forward and Reverse Channel Decisions, November 2010.
Research Featured in the IE Magazine, Integrated Warehouse Location and Inventory Decisions in Three- Tier Distribution Systems, August 2008.
Finalist for the Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in Operations Research, INFORMS, 2008, An Integrated Outbound Logistics Model for Frito-Lay: Coordinating Aggregate Level Production and Distribution Decisions, with S. Cetinkaya, G. Easwaran, and B. Keskin.
Moving Spirit Award, INFORMS, 2007.
Outstanding Faculty Member, voted by the IIE Chapter at the U of Alabama, 1999-2000.
NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, 1997-1999.

Professional Affiliations

Senior Member of INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences)
Senior Member of IISE (Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers)