As a researcher, I have the privilege of helping students develop the skills and knowledge they need to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our world. My students learn to create innovative models and algorithms that push the boundaries of current knowledge and make meaningful contributions. Many of them go on to earn advanced degrees and have successful, influential careers. If you want to learn more about how you can be a part of this exciting research, please check out my CV, or email me.

Current PhD Students

Fatemeh Farajzadeh
Data Science

I am pursuing my Ph.D. in Data Science at WPI and hold a Master's in Industrial Engineering from Sharif University of Technology. My master thesis developed novel mathematical programming methods to optimize the delivery operations of humanitarian drones in the aftermath of a disaster to serve affected areas. My research interests are in using advanced analytical techniques (operations research and data science) to handle operational challenges in humanitarian operations and health care systems. I am currently researching challenges that exist in managing migration crises through the fair and humane allocation of necessary resources. I have a genuine interest in using technologies to overcome issues related to disadvantaged communities through new management and planning perspectives.

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Weixiao Huang
Data Science

Weixiao Huang is a Ph.D. candidate majoring in Data Science at WPI. She holds two Masters of Science Degrees, one in Biostatistics from the University of California, Davis and another in Human Nutrition at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research interests are in the development and application of mathematical optimization to solve practical problems that benefit society. She is currently focusing on resolving resource scarcity and improving collaboration of nonprofit ecosystems. She is also working on matching problems to address efficiency, interpretability, and fairness.

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Sepideh Sedghi
Management, concentration in Operations

I am pursuing my PhD in Operation Management at WPI. I hold a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Iran. My research interests include using mathematical optimization and operations research methods to address humanitarian challenges. I am currently focusing on bed allocation and capacity planning under demand uncertainty in the foster care system.

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Marcela Vasconcellos
Data Science

Marcela is a Ph.D. Student in Data Science at WPI. She holds a Master's in Industrial Engineering from the Federal University of Pernambuco, in Brazil. Marcela has worked in the supply chain industry, particularly on route optimization. During her Master's, she used Machine Learning models to address stochasticity in a retailer stock management optimization problem. She is currently working on refugee professional integration and optimal matching to job opportunities. Her current research interests are in applications of Operations Research combined with Machine Learning to benefit society.

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Current MS Students

Özge Aygül
Data Science

Özge is a thesis-based Master's student in the Data Science program at WPI. She holds an Industrial Engineering Bachelor of Science degree from Bilkent University in Turkey. Her research interests are in mathematical optimization and decision support systems. She is currently working on the use of optimization to improve course scheduling at WPI. In the future, she hopes to continue being a part of the operations research community and make contributions with her research.

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Ryan Killea
Data Science

Ryan Killea is a Master's student in the Data Science program at WPI. His research interests are in Operations Research and Optimization, Algorithms, and Machine Learning. He is currently working on algorithms to efficiently solve and reason about nonlinear optimization problems with a priori partially unknown constraints. He hopes to contribute to problems in Humanitarian Operations that employ insights gained from hard-to-solve optimization problems.

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Current BS Students

Forrest Miller
Mathematical Sciences and Data Science

Frederick "Forrest" Miller is a Mathematical Sciences and Data Science double major at WPI. His research interests lie in optimization problems that have real world impact, and is presently working to develop algorithms to maximize societal benefit to cost ratios. Forrest is also the current President of the WPI Math Club and serves as a Peer Learning Assistant for the Math Department.

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Graduated PhD Students

  • Dr. Geri Dimas [May 2023], PhD in Data Science, WPI, Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at Bryant University
  • Dr. Shima Azizi [May 2022], PhD in Management, Operations Concentration, WPI, Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at St. John's University
  • Dr. Narges Ahani [May 2022], PhD in Data Science, WPI, VP: Operations Research Analyst III, Bank of America
  • Dr. Pitchaya Wiratchotisatian [August 2021], PhD in Data Science, WPI, Tenure-Track Assistant Professor at Khon Kaen University, Thailand
  • Dr. Wen Liu [April 2019], PhD in Data Science, WPI, Optimization Engineer at Facebook
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Created By: Minkun Liu