(v)        Headed the development of models and solution methods for plant layout design for General Motors Research Laboratories.  This work linked simulation and embedded optimization phases to determine the subdivision of plant space and relative locations of assembly lines to inventories, in order to enable efficient fabrication of final products.  GM credited this research with saving thousands of hours in engineering design, and with developing improved plant layout procedures that reduced both operating expense and capital costs of building to yield ongoing financial savings of millions of dollars annually.

(vi)       Integrated simulation, network optimization and rule based systems for IBM in a project through the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence of the University of Colorado to determine timing, routing and carriers for shipping orders to customers. The success of this project demonstrated the ability of simulation processes to work effectively in combination with rule based systems as well as with network optimization.

(vii)      Coordinated the development and implementation of simulation models as Head of Research for the NASA Center for Space Construction, to monitor the design and assembly of space stations. Assembly, rendezvous and docking activities were analyzed by means of Monte Carlo simulations, and used in NASA planning operations.

                        (viii)     Co-designed and implemented an employee scheduling system joined with simulation, in association with Management Robotics, Inc. (MRI) and Kroger, as a basis for building useful labor standards utilizing queuing lengths as a critical input. The component developed for MRI was subsequently extended and marketed to the retail food industry, and then to additional parts of the retail industry by Tomax, Inc.

Simulation Optimization

(i)         Pioneered the integration of simulation methods with metaheuristic search procedures based on tabu search and scatter search. This work provided effective methods for linking simulation and optimization by using adaptive memory and population-based methods to exploit the power and flexibility of simulation as a modeling tool. Collaborations on these objectives with James Kelly and Manuel Laguna have led to the creation of OptTek Systems (www.opttek.com), a software provider and consulting company whose OptQuest software has been licensed to over 90,000 users.

(ii)       Co-developed the financial analysis and capital investment software embodied in the OptFolio software for linking simulation and optimization. This software is being used by oil companies, through the intermediary of Landmark Graphics (a Halliburton company), to determine capital investments over multi-year horizons to determine the allocation of funds to different options for exploring, extracting and distributing oil. Integrated into the TERAS PPM solution software, the technology is widely used for applications in the energy and petroleum field.

(iii)      Headed the design and planning of software for a massive simulation study for  the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), in a joint project under the charge of OptTek Systems and Lockheed-Martin Corporation. The study is a 10 year project, currently underway, to generate and analyze USSTRATCOM scenarios for future planning of staffing and structure alternatives. A major Business Activity Management component, with important consequences for the industrial sector, addresses the challenge of forecasting potential bottlenecks, and responding with effective strategies for dealing with them.

(iv)             Jointly conducted a Business Process Management (BPM) study using simulation optimization to analyze the operation of emergency rooms (ERs) in a hospital. The goal was to identify the most effective routing policies and the best use of personnel, hospital space and resources to produce a configuration that minimizes total asset cost (including the staff’s hourly wages and the fixed cost of each ER used). This study produced significant improvements in both asset costs and in patient cycle time, and its design is now embedded in a model and software system implemented by OptTek Systems and SIMPROCESS.

(v)        Developed a new method for approximating the implicit objective function contours produced by a simulation optimization application. This method, called the LEVER method, was funded for development by the National Science Foundation, and embodied in software that achieved a 10 fold improvement in the efficiency of searching for an optimal or near optimal solution by simulation optimization. Extensions of the LEVER method currently underway have applications to data mining, pattern analysis and machine learning.

Heuristics and Metaheuristics for Optimization

(i)         Introduced the tabu search approach for nonlinear and combinatorial optimization.  Tabu search, which is based on designing and exploiting adaptive memory structures to determine effective trajectories through complex search spaces, has become the focus of many sessions and tutorials at national and international meetings of INFORMS, the Mathematical Programming Society, the International Federation of Operations Research and many other leading societies.  The method is widely used in applications due to its ability to handle problems that involve complicating restrictions and goals that are not easily represented by classical optimization models. A Google search on "tabu search" yields over two million results.

(ii)        Developed and co-developed tabu search implementations for optimization problems in scheduling, routing, production planning, graph partitioning, telecommunications network design, financial planning under uncertainty, clustering, facility location, multilevel assignment, space planning and a variety of other areas.  The foundation papers underlying this work received a National Award for Research Excellence from the Computer Science Society of INFORMS. This work was also cited as one of the cornerstones for the receipt of the John Von Neumann Theory Prize.

(iii)      Developed the evolutionary method called scatter search that integrates heuristics with population based processes for combining solutions in Euclidean space.  These designs are now recognized to yield, as special cases, fundamental "crossover" mechanisms that were introduced into the genetic algorithm literature approximately a decade later (including uniform crossover, Bernoulli crossover and arithmetic crossover).  Additional components of scatter search, and its path relinking generalization that replaces Euclidean space by neighborhood space, have provided effective new methods for nonlinear optimization and for integrating optimization with simulation.

(iv)       Introduced the star path framework for exploiting scatter search in the context of zero‑one integer programming.  The theorems underlying this framework provide a mechanism for mapping the space of zero‑one feasible solutions into a collapsed space that is contained within the intersection of a valid cutting plane and the cone spanned by a linear programming vertex.  The resulting approach gives a means for solving zero‑one optimization problems by linking cutting planes and search methods.

(v)        Developed the class of procedures called ejection chain methods for generating complex moves in search space from simple components.  Theorems for these methods show that by means of certain "reference structures" it is possible to implicitly design compound neighborhoods containing exponentially large numbers of solutions, but whose best member can be identified in low order polynomial time. Heuristic refinements have additionally been demonstrated to give high quality solutions in linear time.  Ejection chain implementations guided by tabu search memory structures have produced the best known results for solving vehicle routing problems, generalized assignment problems, and combinatorial applications involving traveling salesman problems attended by complicating constraints.

(vi)       Co‑developed the target analysis learning framework for improving the effectiveness of heuristic and exact solution methods.  Target analysis has been used to generate improved decision rules in search methods and in branch and bound procedures applied to problems of nuclear refueling, machine scheduling and telecommunication design. Recently it has been applied in conjunction with a global sensitivity analysis to yield 90% improvements in solution efficiency for solving problems of determining optimal investments in financial planning.

(vii)      Developed the memory construct known as critical event memory, which is providing new advances for solving discrete optimization problems.  In accompaniment with standard memory structures of tabu search, critical event memory has produced the best currently available heuristics for solving multidimensional knapsack problems and binary quadratic programming problems. These methods strongly dominate previous methods, and yield increasingly better solutions as the size and complexity of the problems grow.        

INVITED SPEAKER

                                              (Partial Listing of engagements since 1990)

Invited presentation titled, "Fundamentals of Optimal Search," Joint US/USSR Seminar on Advances in Optimization," Washington, D.C., January 8-12, 1990.

Invited presentation titled, "Tabu Search Applications in Engineering," Industrial Engineering/Operations Research Seminar, University of California, Berkeley, March 12, 1990.

Invited presentation titled, "Combinatorial Optimization and Search Algorithms," Operations Research Colloquia, Stanford University, March 14, 1990.

Invited presentation titled, "Tabu Search for Discrete Optimization," Office of Naval Research Computational Combinatorics Seminar, Lafayette, Indiana, April 19, 1990.

Invited Plenary Tutorial, "Artificial Intelligence and Management Science with New Linkages for Simulation" Joint National TIMS/ORSA Meetings, Las Vegas, May 7-9, 1990.

Two invited presentations titled "A Pseudo-Polynomial Primal Method for Network Optimization"  and "Tabu Search for Combinatorial Programming Problems," International Federation of Operations Research Meetings, Athens, Greece, June 1990.

Chaired the special invited session titled "Combinatorial Complexity: the P = NP Question," International Federation of Operations Research Meetings, Athens, Greece, June 1990.

Invited presentation titled "Target Analysis for Marrying Simulation and Optimization in Decision Planning," FAW Institute, University of Ulm, Germany, July 1990.

Invited presentation titled "Heuristic Search and Integer Programming," Institute for Advanced Studies, Vienna, Austria, July 1990.

Invited presentation titled "Tabu Search for Discrete Optimization" at the DGOR/SVOR International Conference on Operations Research, Vienna, Austria, August 1990.

Chaired session titled "Discrete Optimization and Complexity Theory" at the DGOR/SVOR International Conference on Operations Research, Vienna, Austria, August 1990.

Invited presentation titled "Recent Developments and Applications of Tabu Search," International "Viewpoints on Optimization" Meeting of the Mathematical Programming Society, Grimentz, Switzerland, September 1990.

Invited presentation titled "Parallelism and the Tabu Search Framework for Combinatorial Optimization," Computer Science Department, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, September 1990.

Invited presentation titled, "Tabu Search Heuristics and Applications," International LIPN "Optimization Days," Paris, France, September 1990.

Four invited presentations on "Operations Research and Artificial Intelligence Methods or Optimization Problems," Mathematics Department, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, September 1990.

Invited presentation titled "Optimization Methods in Scheduling and Production Planning," Joint Seminar sponsored by the University of Basel and Cibba-Geiggy Corporation, November 1990.

Presented the invited paper titled, "Bandwidth Packing:  A Tabu Search Approach", First Workshop on combinatorial Optimization in Science and Technology, RUTOR, April 2-6, 1991.

Chaired session titled, "Heuristic Procedures for Combinatorial Optimization Problems", First Workshop on Combinatorial Optimization in Science and Technology, RUTOR, April 2-6, 1991.

Presented the invited paper titled, "Advances in Tabu Search for Nonlinear and Parametric Optimization", TIMS/ORSA Joint National Meeting, May 12-15, 1991.

Presented the invited paper titled, "Multilevel Tabu Search," TIMS/ORSA Joint National Meeting, May 12-15, 1991.

Contributed presentation, "Solving Facility Layout Problems Using Diversification Search", TIMS/ORSA Joint National Meeting, May 12-15, 1991.  (with Jim Kelly and Manuel Laguna)

Contributed presentation, "Automating the Development of Heuristic Search Methods with Target Analysis", TIMS/ORSA Joint National Meeting, May 12-15, 1991. (with John Knox)

Invited presentation titled, "Tabu Search Applications and Innovations", IMAG Laboratories, Grenoble, July 12, 1991.

Invited Plenary presentation titled, "Operations Research and Artificial Intelligence Applied to Optimizing Simulation", International EURO XI Meetings, Aachen, Germany, July 16, 1991.

Chaired plenary presentation titled, "OR and Expert Systems," International EURO XI Meeting, Aachen, Germany, July 16-19, 1991.

Chaired the invited, "Klingman Memorial Session on Mathematical Optimization", International Mathematical Programming Society Meetings, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, August 5-9, 1991.

Chaired session titled, "Tabu Search Methods and Applications", International Mathematical Programming Society Meetings, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, August 5-9, 1991.

Invited plenary presentation titled, "Tabu Search Innovations and Implications for Flexible Modeling via Simulation", International IMAG Franco-Japanese Meetings, Grenoble, France, August 12-15, 1991.

Invited plenary presentation titled, "Artificial Intelligence Methodologies for Optimization and Simulation-Based Models", International AFCET Franco-Suisse Meetings, Paris, France, September 11-13, 1991.

Chaired session titled, "Simulated Annealing Models and Processes", International AFCET Franco-Suisse Meetings, Paris, France, September 11-13, 1991.

Invited Presentation titled, "New Developments in Tabu Search and Principle of Proximate Optimality", AFOSR Seminar on Mathematical Foundations of Optimization, Denver, Colorado, October 4, 1991.

Invited Presentation titled, "Tabu Search and Nonlinear Optimization", AFOSR Meeting on Optimization in Chemistry, Edward AFB, California, October 21-23, 1991.

Invited panelist, ORSA Computer Science Technical Section titled, "Model Management and Operations Research", Joint National ORSA/TIMS Meeting, Anaheim, California, November 3-6, 1991.

Contributed presentation titled, "Automating the Development of Heuristic Search Methods with Target Analysis", Joint National ORSA/TIMS Meeting, Anaheim, California, November 3-6, 1991.

Chairman of Invited session titled, "Heuristic Search Methods and Applications", Joint National ORSA/TIMS Meeting, Anaheim, California, November 3-6, 1991.

Invited Presentation titled, "Heuristic Search Methods and Applications", Joint National ORSA/TIMS Meeting, Anaheim, California, November 3-6, 1991.

Invited seminar, "Mathematical Optimization and Artificial Intelligence," Applied Mathematics Seminar Series, University of Colorado, Boulder, March, 1992 (with M. Laguna and J. Kelly.)

Invited Tutorial Session, "Artificial Intelligence and Optimization: A New Foundation for Exploiting Simulation" ORSA/TIMS Joint National Meeting, Orlando, Florida, April 26-29, 1992 (with M. Laguna and J. Kelly.)

Invited presentation, "Ghost Image Processes for Optimization by Neural Networks," ORSA/TIMS Joint National Meeting, Orlando, Florida, April 26-29, 1992.

Chaired invited session, "Neural Networks in Optimization," ORSA/TIMS Joint National Meeting, Orlando, Florida, April 26-29, 1992.

Special invited plenary session, "Genetic Algorithms and Tabu Search; Hybrids for Optimization," National Foundation of Genetic Algorithms Meeting, Vail Colorado, July 26-29, 1992 (with M. Laguna and J. Kelly.)

Invited plenary talk, "Ejection Chains for TSP Optimization, International Symposium on Graph Theory and Combinatorics," Grimentz, Switzerland, August 23-28, 1992.

Chaired the invited session titled "Combinatorial Optimization and Scheduling Systems" at the Intelligent Scheduling Systems Symposium of ORSA/TIMS, San Francisco, CA., November 1, 1992.

Chaired the invited session "Combinatorial Search:  New Advances" at the Joint National Meeting of the Operations Research Society and the Institute of Management Science, San Francisco, CA., November 2-4, 1992.

Co-presented the invited talk "Scheduling with Tabu Search and Ejection Chain Strategies," at the Joint National Meeting of the Operations Research Society and the Institute of Management Science, San Francisco, CA., November 2-4, 1992 (with W. Barnes).

Presented the invited talk "The Combinatorial Leverage Principle for More Powerful Heuristics," at the Joint National Meeting of the Operations Research Society and the Institute of Management Science, San Francisco, CA., November 2-4, 1992.

Co-presented the invited talk "Update on Tabu Search in Scheduling," at the Joint National Meeting of the Operations Research Society and the Institute of Management Science, San Francisco, CA., November 2-4, 1992 (with J. Kelly and M. Laguna).

Presented the invited paper "An Overview of Tabu Search Approaches to Exploiting Simulation," at the Intelligent Scheduling Systems Symposium of ORSA/TIMS, San Francisco, CA., November 1, 1992 (with M. Laguna).

Co-authored the invited presentation "Telecommunications Planning by Optimization and AI-Related Search," at the Joint National Meeting of the Operations Research Society and the Institute of Management Science, San Francisco, CA., November 2-4, 1992 (with J. Ryan).

Presented the invited paper "New Results for Aggregating Integer-Valued Equations," Symposium on Applied Mathematical Programming and Modeling, Budapest, Hungry, January 1993.

Presented the Keynote Talk "Heuristic Advances in Optimization Integrating Tabu Search, Ejection Chains and Neural Networks," Symposium on Applied Mathematical Programming and Modeling, Budapest, Hungry, January 1993.

Organized and chaired the cluster "OR and Artificial Intelligence," Symposium on Applied Mathematical Programming and Modeling, Budapest, Hungry, January 1993.

Chaired the invited session, "Tabu Search and Meta-Hybrids for Optimization," Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Sciences and the Operations Research Society of America, Chicago, Illinois, May 1993.

Co-presented the invited talk "Expanded Optimization and Search Framework for Neural Networks," (with J. Kelly).  Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Sciences and the Operations Research Society of America, Chicago, Illinois, May 1993.

Co-presented the invited talk "Optimization and Recursive Partition:  Machine Discovery of Quality Improvement," (with T. Cox).  Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Sciences and the Operations Research Society of America, Chicago, Illinois, May 1993.

Co-presented the invited talk "New Column Generating Approach for Nonlinear Regression," (with R. Barr).  Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Sciences and the Operations Research Society of America, Chicago, Illinois, May 1993.

Co-presented the invited talk "Implicit Model Representations Using Tabu Search," (with J. Kelly and M. Laguna), Integration of Modeling, Optimization and Analysis Roundtable, Denver, CO, May, 1993.

Organized and headed the "Heuristic Methods in Optimization" cluster of sessions for the XIII World Conference on Operations Research, Lisbon, Portugal, July 1993.

Co-presented an invited plenary tutorial titled "AI-Related Heuristics and Applications" (with M. Laguna) at the XIII World Conference on Operations Research, Lisbon, Portugal, July 1993.

Chaired the invited session titled "Metaheuristics in Optimization," at the XIII World Conference on Operations Research, Lisbon, Portugal, July 1993.

Co-presented the opening plenary session titled "Overview of Metaheuristics and Recent Advances for Simulation-Based Optimization," (with J. Kelly) at the National Meeting of the Operations Research Society of Italy, Capri, Italy, September 1993.

Chaired the invited plenary session titled "Advances in Methods for Distribution and Routing," at the National Meeting of the Operation Research Society of Italy, Capri, Italy, September 1993.

Organized and introduced the opening plenary session titled "The Vital Link," (by R. McCormick, US West CEO) at the Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations Research Society of America, October 1993.

Chaired the invited session titled "New Methods and Models for Integer Programming," at the Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations Research Society of America, October 1993.

Presented the invited paper titled "Solving Zero-One Integer Programming Problems by Cone-to-Vertex Projections and Directional Rounding, at the Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations Research Society of America, October 1993.

Co-authored the invited presentation titled "A Recursive Polynomial Algorithm for LP-Based Discrimination," (with R. Barr) at the Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations Research Society of America, October 1993.

Chaired the invited session titled "Artificial Intelligence and Operations Research for Real World Optimization," at the Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations  Research Society of America, October 1993.

Presented the invited paper titled "Extended Scatter Search:  Genetic Models and Beyond," at the Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations  Research Society of America, October 1993.

Presented the invited talk titled "Beyond the Genetic Metaphor: Scatter Search and Alternatives to Genetic Algorithms," Mathematical Optimization Seminar, University of Colorado-Denver, November 1993.

Co-authored the invited Tutorial Session titled "Computational Methods for Optimizing Diversity," (with C. Kuo and K. Dhir) National Meeting of the Decision Sciences Institute, Washington, D. C., November 1993.

Presented the invited talk titled "Tutorial on Tabu Search - With Threshold, Genetic and Neural Network Hybrids," Computer Science Colloquium, December 1993.

Presented invited Keynote Tutorial Session titled "Tabu Search and Neural Network Hybrids for Optimizing within a Simulation Framework," International Computer Science and Operations Research Meetings, Williamsburg, VA, January 5-7, 1994.

Chaired invited session on "Search Methods for Scheduling."  International computer Science and Operations Research Meetings, Williamsburg, VA, January 5-7, 1994.

Chaired invited session on "Heuristics and Learning."  Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations Research Society of America.  Boston, MA, April 24-27, 1994.

Presented invited talk titled "Ejection Chains and Tabu Search."  Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations Research Society of America.  Boston, MA, April 24-27, 1994.

Invited Keynote Tutorial Presentation titled "Tabu Search for Practical Applications."  15th Triennial International Symposium on Mathematical Programming.  Ann Arbor, Michigan, August 15-20, 1994.

Invited presentation titled "Metaheuristics in Artificial Intelligence and Operations Research."  Air Force Office of Scientific Research Special Colloquium.  Hawk Inn, Vermont, October 4-9, 1994.

Invited presentation titled "Robust Optimization in Long Range Planning."  Air Force Office of Scientific Special Colloquium.  Hawk Inn, Vermont, October 4-9, 1994.

Invited presentation titled "Tabu Search and its Real World Applications."  University of British Columbia Seminar Series on Science and Technology in Commerce.  University of British Columbia Seminar, November 7, 1994.

Invited presentation titled "New Advances in Search and Optimization."  Computer Science and Mathematics Colloquium.  Simon Frasier University, Vancouver, B.C., December 11, 1994.

Invited Lead Speaker for presentation titled "Uses of Tabu Search in Telecommunications."  3rd International Conference on Telecommunication Systems, Modeling and Analysis, Nashville, Tennessee, March 16-19, 1995.

Chaired invited session titled "Developments in Tabu Search & Its Applications."  INFORMS College on Artificial Intelligence, Los Angeles, California, April 23-26, 1995.

Invited presentation titled "Integrating Tabu Search & Cutting Planes for Integer Programming."  INFORMS College on Artificial Intelligence, Los Angeles, California, April 23-26, 1995.

Chaired invited session titled "Advances in Integer Programming Theory & Practice."  INFORMS College on Artificial Intelligence, Los Angeles, California, April 23-26, 1995.

Invited presentation titled "Tabu Search:  Methods and Applications."  INFORMS Workshop on Enterprise Modeling and Knowledge Management, College on Artificial Intelligence, April 23, 1995 (with James Kelly and Manuel Laguna).

Invited presentation titled "Tabu Search."  International Conference on State of the Art in Global Optimization:  Computational Methods and Applications, Princeton University, April 28-30, 1995.

Invited presentation titled "Tabu Search, Scatter Search and Simulation"  International Conference on Optimization:  Techniques and Applications, Chengdu University of Science and Technology, Chengdu, China, June 5-8, 1995.

Invited presentation titled "Tutorial on Heuristic-Based Optimization within Simulation."  TIMS XXXIII International Conference, Singapore, June 25, 1995 (with Manuel Laguna).

Invited presentation titled "Graph Partitioning by Tabu Search:  Deterministic and Probabilistic Strategies."  TIMS XXXIII International Conference, Singapore, June 25-28, 1995 (with Fan Tseng).

Chaired invited session titled "Tabu Search."  TIMS XXXIII International Conference, Singapore, June 25-28, 1995 (with Manuel Laguna).

Presented keynote address at the Metaheuristics International Conference, Breckenridge, Colorado, July 22-26, 1995.

General Chairman and Organizer for Metaheuristics International Conference, Breckenridge, Colorado, July 22-26, 1995.

General Chairman of Cluster titled "Heuristic Programming," (20 sessions), INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995.

Invited tutorial presentation titled "Tabu Search & Its Real World Application in Simulation and Optimization."  INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995 (with James Kelly and Manuel Laguna).

Invited presentation titled "Solving Netform-Based IP Models with B&B and Tabu Search."  INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995 (with Helmut Mausser).

Invited presentation titled "Optimal Network Design for Telecommunications Planning."  INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995 (with Xiaorong Sun and Helmut Mausser).

Invited presentation titled "New Ways to Exploit Structure in Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling."  INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995 (with Helmut Mausser and Steve Lawrence).

Co-presenter of invited paper titled "Solving Stochastic Financial Problems by a GRG/Tabu Search Method."  INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995 (with Michael Tapia and John Mulvey).

Invited presentation titled "LP-Based Recursive Partitioning for High-Speed Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition."  INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995 (with Richard S. Barr).

Chaired invited session titled "Tabu Search Methods."  International Federation of Operations Research (IFORS) meeting, Vancouver, July 8-12, 1996.

Chaired invited session titled "Real World Telecommunication and Project Scheduling Models."  International Federation of Operations Research, Vancouver, July 8-12, 1996.

Co-presenter of invited paper titled "Tabu Search.and Scatter Search for Wedding Simulation and Optimization" International Federation of Operations Research, Vancouver, July 8-12, 1996.

Presented invited paper titled "Improved Constructive Multistart Strategies for the Quadratic

            Assignment Problem." International Federation of Operations Research, Vancouver, July 8-12,

            1996.

Co-presenter of invited paper titled "Probabilistic Tabu Search Heuristic for Telecommunications Network Design."  International Federation of Operations Research, Vancouver, July 8-12, 1996.

Presented Plenary Session titled: "New Advances in Metaheuristics," the Metaheuristics International Meeting (MIC-II), Sophia-Antipolis, France, July 24-28, 1997.

Chaired Invited Session titled: "Metaheuristics in Scheduling and Logistics," the Metaheuristics International Meeting (MIC-II), Sophia-Antipolis, France, July 24-28, 1997.

Presented invited Tutorial titled:  "Tabu Search and Evolutionary Methods for Optimization of Simulation-Based Models," Asia-Pacific Operations Research Society Meeting, World Congress Centre, Melbourne, Australia, November 30-December 4, 1997.

Chaired invited session titled:  "Innovations for Optimization," Asia-Pacific Operations Research Society Meeting, World Congress Centre, Melbourne, Australia, November 30-December 4, 1997.

Presented invited paper titled: “An ATM Routing for Telecommunication Network,” INFORMS, San Diego, California, May 4-7, 1997.

Chaired invited session titled: “Meta-Heuristics for Solving Integer, Nonlinear & Stochastic Problems,” INFORMS, San Diego, California, May 4-7, 1997.

Presented invited paper titled: “Solving a Dynamic Routing Communications Network Design Problem Using Tabu Search, INFORMS. San Diego, California, May 4-7, 1997.

Presented invited Tutorial titled: “Tabu Search for Nonlinear, Stochastic and Simulation-Based Optimization,” INFORMS. San Diego, California, May 4-7, 1997.

Presented invited paper titled: “Searching for Optimal Algorithm Parameters,” INFORMS. San Diego, California, May 4-7, 1997.

Presented invited paper titled: “Cut Search and Star Path Methods for Integer Programming,” INFORMS, Joint International Meeting, Barcelona, Spain, July 14-17, 1997.

Co-Presented invited tutorial at the DIMACS Workshop on New Advances in Simulation and Optimization, Rutgers, NJ, May 1999.

Co-presented invited tutorial titled: “Binary Quadratic Optimization” at the International Meeting Discrete Optimization ’99, at the Rutgers Center of Operations Research (RUTCOR), July 25-29, 1999.

Co-presented invited tutorial titled: “Improved Methods for Complex Stochastic and Nonlinear Optimization Using Simulation-Based Models,” IFORS’99, 15^th World Conference on Operational Research, Beijing, China, August 16-20, 1999.

Co-presented invited tutorials titled: “New Advances for Integrating Simulation and Optimization,” at the National Meeting of the Institute of Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS), Philadelphia, Philadelphia, November 7-10, 1999.

Co-presented invited tutorial: “New Advances for Combining Simulation and Optimization,” at the annual Winter Simulation Conference (WSC ’99), Phoenix, Arizona, December 5-7, 1999.

Co-presented invited talk titled "Scatter Search to Generate, and Chunking to Evaluate, Diverse Solutions," at the 7th INFORMS Computing Society Conference, Cancun, Mexico, January 5-7, 2000.

Co-presented invited talk on "Adaptive Memory and Scatter Search for Simulation Optimization," at the XVII EURO Conference, Budapest, Hungary, July 16-19, 2000.

Co-presented invited talk titled "One-pass Algorithms for Very Large Binary Quadratic Programs," at the 17th European Conference on Operations Research, Budapest, Hungary, July 16-19, 2000.

Co-presented invited talk, The DIMACS TSP Challenge: Preliminary Results, 17th International Symposium on Mathematical Programming (ISMP2000), Georgia Institute of Technology, August 7-11, 2000.

Co-presented invited talk titled "The Comparison of Parallel Programming Techniques Applied to the Maximum Clique Problem," at the 17th International Symposium on Mathematical Programming, Atlanta, Georgia, August 7-11, 2000.

Co-presented invited tutorial titled "Recent Advances in Tabu Search and Evolutionary Scatter Search in Simulation-Based Optimization," at the IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, San Diego, California, 2000.

Co-presented invited talk titled "Using Explicit Memory in Restart Methods," at the INFORMS 2000 Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, November 5-8, 2000.

Co-presented invited talk titled "Integrating Simulation and Optimization through Metaheuristics," INFORMS Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, November 5-8, 2000.

Co-presenter and Panelist, "Integrating Optimization and Simulation: Research and Practice," at the Winter Simulation Conference, Orlando, Florida, December 2000.

Co-Organized the International Conference "Adaptive Memory and Evolution:  Tabu Search and Scatter Search," sponsored by NSF, ESRI and the Hearin Center for Enterprise Science, Oxford, MS, USA, March 8-10, 2001.

Co-Director, the DIMACS TSP Challenge, 2001, hosted by Rutgers University.

Invited Cluster Chair, "Applications & Extensions of Metaheuristics,"  National INFORMS 2001 Meeting, Miami, Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.

Invited Session Chair, "Network Optimization," Annual International Event of the European Chapter on Combinatorial Optimization, ECCO XIV, Bonn, Germany, 31 May - 2 June, '01.

Invited Session Chair, "Adaptive Memory Programming and New Evolutionary Models (I)," National IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics 2001 Meeting, Tucson, Arizona, 7-10 October, '01.

Invited Session Chair, "Adaptive Memory Programming and New Evolutionary Models (II)," National IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics 2001 Meeting, Tucson, Arizona, 7-10 October, '01.

Invited Plenary presentation, "New Methods and Computational Results for Combinatorial Problems with Simulation Components," European Chapter on Combinatorial Optimization, ECCO XIV, Bonn, Germany, 31 May - 2 June, 2001  (with M. Laguna).

Invited Plenary Presentation, MIC' 2001: 4th Metaheutistics International Conference, Porto, Portugal, July 2001 (with G. Kochenberger and C. Rego), "Advances in Metaheuristics for Classical and Real World Problems"

Invited Presentation, ECCO XIV, European Chapter on Combinatorial Optimization. March 31 to June 2, 2001. (with A. Lokketangen), "On the tradeoff between randomization and search guidance".

Invited Presentation, Adaptive Memory and Evolution: Tabu Search and Scatter Search, at the Hearin Center for Enterprize Science, Oxford, Mississippi, 8-10 March '01. (with A. Lokketangen), "Search Guidance for Satisfiability Problems".

Invited Presentation, The Canadian Operationnal Research Society (CORS) Quebec city (Canada), May 6-9, 2001, (with M. Toulouse and K. Thulasiraman), "The Energy Function of Cooperative Multi-level Graph Partitioning Algorithms"

Invited Presentation, Memory and Evolution: Tabu Search and Scatter Search Conference, March 8-10, 2001 (with M. Toulouse and K.  Thulasiraman, "Dynamics of Multilevel Cooperative Search Algorithms"

Invited Presentation, MIC' 2001: 4th Metaheutistics International Conference, Porto, Portugal, July 2001, (with C. Rego and D. Gamboa, "Analysis on the Implementation of Efficient Heuristic     Algorithms for the Traveling Salesman Problem"

Invited presentation, Max Planck - Poland Symposium on Bioinformatics, Berlin, Germany, October 22-23, 2001, (with J. Blazewicz),  "New Approaches to DNA Sequencing Using Metaheuristic Analysis"

Invited presentation, IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics 2001, Tucson, Arizona, 7-10 October, '01, (with M. Yagiura and T. Ibaraki) "An Effective Metaheuristic Agorithm for the Generalized Assignment Problem"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.     (with A. Lokketangen), "Surrogate Constraint Guidance versus Randomization in Local Search Methods for the Satisfiability Problem"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.  (with R. Barr and B. Hickman), "Information Engineering with Optimization and Simulation-Based Alternatives to Classic Multivarate Statistical Models"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.  (with W. Adams and R. Forrester), "Comparisons & Enhancement Strategies for Linearizing Mixed 0-1 Quadratic Programs"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.  (with A. Lokketangen) "Surrogate Constraint Guidance for Boolean Optimization Problems"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01. "New Methods & Results for Synthesizing Simulation and Optimization"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.  (with G. Kochenberger and B. Alidaee), "New Heuristic Approaches to Graph Optimization & Related Problems"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.  (with C. Rego), "Filter and Fan Methods for Combinatorial Optimization"

Invited presentation, Winter Simulation Conference, WSC 2001, Washington,  D.C., 9-12 Dec., '01, (with J. Kelly and J. April) "New Advances in Optimizing over Uncertainty by Combining Simulation and Optimization"

Invited panel presentation, Winter Simulation Conference, WSC 2001, Washington, D.C., 9-12 Dec., '01, (with J. Kelly), "Future of Simulation Optimization"

Invited Principal Talk, 15th Cumberland Conference in Combinatorics, Graph Theory and Computing, Oxford, MS, May 16-18, 2002. (wih G. Kochenberger), "A Royal Road to Combinatorial Optimization - The 0-1 Quadratic Programming Problem"

Invited paper,MAS V- Military Personnel Research, sponsored by INFORMS, NPRST and ONR, June 3-5, 2002 (with K. Womer, and G. Kochenberger), "Innovations in Optimization Methodologies"

Invited paper, MAS V- Military Personnel Research, sponsored by INFORMS, NPRST and ONR, June 3-5, 2002 (with M. Amini and G. Kochenberger), "New Advances in Discrete Generalized Networks" 

Invited featured paper, INFORMS Conference on OR/MS Practice: Analyzing and Enhancing the Extended Enterprise, May 19-21, 2002, Montreal Canada (with J. Kelly), "Innovations in Metaheuristics and Applications to Simulation Optimization"

Invited Panel, INFORMS Conference on OR/MS Practice: Analyzing and Enhancing the Extended Enterprise, May 19-21, 2002, Montreal,Canada, ,"The OR Entrepreneur"

Invited paper, International Symposium on Combinatorial Optimization (CO'02)  Paris, April 8-10 (with Said Hanafi), "Convergent Tabu Search for Optimal Partitioning"

Invited Presentation, Very Large-Scale Neighborhood Search Algorithms; Session (with C. Rego and A. Punnen), "Advances in Ejection Chain Methods for the Traveling Salesman Problem"

Invited Presentation, INFORMS 2002, San Diego, CA. (with M. Amini and G. Kochenberger) Invited Presentation, "Discrete Optimization via Netforms and Dynamic B&B," INFORMS 2002, San Diego, CA. (with M. Amini and G. Kochenberger)

Invited Presentation, " New Prospects and Developments for Joining Optimization with Simulation," IFORS 2002, Edinburgh, UK, July 8-12, 2002.

Invited Presentation, "An Evolutionary Metaheuristic for Unconstrained Binary Quadratic Programming," IFORS 2002, Edinburgh, UK, July 8-12, 2002 (with C. Rego, M. Amini and B. Alidaee)

Invited Presentation, "Foundation-Penalty Cuts for Mixed Integer Optimization," Tri-Regional University Seminar, University of Bologna, Italy, October 24, 2002.

Invited Presentation, “Latest Advances in Adaptive Memory Programming,” ROADEF Meeting, Avignon, France, February 2003.

Invited Seminar "Second Generation Applications of Tabu Search and Scatter Search in Simulation Optimization,” EPFL, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, March 2003.

Invited Plenary Presentation titled "Metaheuristic Agent Based Processes with Applications to Nonlinear, Stochastic and Simulation-Based Models,” (with G. Kochenberger), International MIC 2003 conference, Kyoto, Japan, August 2003.

Invited Presentation titled "An Adaptive Surrogate Constraint Algorithm for the Set Covering Problem" (with Jie Zhang and Cesar Rego), INFORMS conference, Advances on Metaheuristics for Combinatorial Optimization, Atlanta, Georgia, October 2003.

Invited Paper titled "Improved Solution Approaches for Boolean Optimization,” (with Arne Lokketangen), INFORMS conference, Advances on Metaheuristics for Combinatorial Optimization, Atlanta, Georgia, October 2003

Chaired Session Titled "Metaheuristics -- Unified Frameworks and New Advances" in the Mathematical Programming cluster of the international Joints CORS/INFORMS meeting, Banff, Canada, May 2004.

Chaired session titled "New Methods for Discrete Nonlinear and Satisfiability Problems," in the INFORMS Computing Society (ICS) Cluster of the international Joints CORS/INFORMS meeting, Banff, Canada, May 2004.

Chair of a special cluster on the topic of SCIENCE & OR at the national INFORMS meeting, Denver, October 24-27, 2004.

Organizing Committee: The 2nd Multidisciplinary International Conference on Scheduling : Theory and Applications (MISTA 2005), 18th - 21st July 2005, New York, USA

Invited Presentation titled "A Unified Modeling and Solution Framework for Partitioning and Related Problems," Fred Glover and Gary Kochenberger, for the conference "Multiscale Optimization Methods and Applications," University of Florida, February 26 - 28, 2004.

Invited presentation titled "The Unconstrained Quadratic Binary Program: A Unified Modeling and Solution Framework for Combinatorial Optimization," with Gary Kochenberger, at the International Joint CORS/INFORMS meeting, Banff, Canada, May 2004.

Invited presentation titled "A Candidate List Strategy with a Simple Diversification Device," with Gilles Trombettoni and Bertrand Neveu, at the International Joint CORS/INFORMS meeting, Banff, Canada, May 2004.

Invited paper titled "Evaluating Alternative Roles and New Product Technologies in Uncertain Domain Environments,"  for the 11TH  International Product Development Management Conference,  EIASM - The European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management (with R. Farina), Dublin, Ireland, June 20-22, 2004

Invited Paper titled: "New Advances on Solving the Protein Folding Problem," at the Denver INFORMS 2004 National Meeting, October 24-27, 2004 (with C. Rego and H. Li).

Invited Tutorial presentation titled: "Simulation Optimization," at the Denver INFORMS 2004 National Meeting, October 24-27, 2004 (with J. April and J. Kelly).

Computational Biology Poster Presentation titled “New Advances on Solving the Protein Folding Problem,” Butcher Symposium on Genetics and Biotechnology, November 11, 2004

Invited paper ”Simulation Optimization for Business Process Trends,” Winter Simulation Conference WSC '04, Washington, D.C.,  December 5-8, 2004 (with J. April, J. Kelly and M. Laguna)

Invited paper titled "Improved Clustering of Microarray Data," (with G. Kochenberger, B. Alidaee and H. Wang), Conference on Systems Analysis, Data Mining and Optimization in Biomedicine, Gainesville, FL , Feb 2005.

Invited paper titled "Tree Search Neighborhoods for the Protein Folding Problem in the HP Lattice Model," (with H. Li and C. Rego), Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Mississippi Academy of Sciences (MAS) Annual Meeting, Oxford Convention Center; Oxford, MS, February 16-18, 2005.

Invited paper titled "Advances in Data Mining via Quadratic Programming," (with G. Kochenberger) Conference on Systems Analysis, Data Mining and Optimization in Biomedicine, Gainesville, FL , Feb 2005.

Opening Plenary Presentation, titled "New Developments for Metatheuristics in Science and Industry," 6th Metaheuristics International Conference MIC2005 , Vienna, August 22-26, 2005

Invited presentation titled "Attractive Nonlinear Models: Calling into Question the Tenet of Linearity for Combinatorial Problems," (with G. Kochenberger, B. Alidaee, and H. Wang), 6th Metaheuristics International Conference MIC2005 , Vienna, August 22-26, 2005.

Invited paper titled "Clustering via Clique Partitioning," (with G. Kochenberger), National INFORMS Meeting, San Francisco, November 13-16, 2005.

Invited paper titled "Parallelization and Diversification Strategies for the Quadratic Assignment Problem," (with T. James and C. Rego), National INFORMS Meeting, San Francisco, November 13-16, 2005.

Invited paper titled “Advances in Mixed Integer Formulations for Pattern Analysis,” Conference on Data Mining, Systems Analysis and Optimization in Neuroscience," University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, February 15-17 2006.
--

Invited Keynote Presentation: "New Optimization Models for Data Mining," Xiangshan Sciences Forum on Frontier Studies on Data Technology and Knowledge Economy, Meeting of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China May 21-25, 2006 (with G. Kochenberger)

Invited Presentation: "Simulating Disruptions in Supply Chains," International Conference on National Security, Natural Disasters, Logistics and Transportation,     University of Rhode Island, September 25-26, 2006 (with T. Schmitt, K. Stecke, and S. Kumar)

Invited Presentation: "Attractive Nonlinear Models for Combinatorial Optimization," EURO XXI European Conference on Operational Research, Reykjavik,      Iceland, July 2-5, 2006 (with G. Kochenberger)

Invited Presentation: “An Ejection Chain Algorithm for the Quadratic Assignment Problem," EURO XXI European Conference on Operational Research, Reykjavik, Iceland, July 2-5, 2006 (with C. Rego and T. James)

Invited Presentation: “A Primal-Dual RAMP Algorithm for Very Large Set Covering Problems," EURO XXI European Conference on Operational Research, Reykjavik, Iceland, July 2-5, 2006 (with J. Ablanedo and C. Rego)

Invited Presentation: “New Optimization Models for Data Mining,” International Conference on Applied Optimization and Metaheuristic Innovations, Yalta, Ukraine, July 19-21, 2006 (with M. Better and G. Kochenberger)

Invited Presentation: "Innovations in Mathematical Methods for Pattern Analysis,” Institute of Cybernetics, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, July 25, 2006

Invited Presentation: “A Novel Approach to Classification in Financial Applications,” INFORMS Workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Data Mining, INFORMS National Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, November 2006 (with M. Better and G. Kochenberger)

Invited Presentation: “Multi-Start Tabu Search and Diversification Strategies for the Quadratic Assignment Problem,” INFORMS National Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, November 2006 (with T. James and C. Rego).

Invited Presentation: "Evaluating the Performance of Multi-Stage Supply Chains under Disruptions and Random Customer Demand," INFORMS National Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, November 2006 (with Sanjay Kumar, Thomas G. Schmitt and Kathryn E. Stecke)

Invited Presentation: “New Data Mining Models and Applications,” Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, May 2007 (with G. Kochenberger).

Invited Presentation: “Simulation and Optimization in Industry, Science and Government,” Inaugural Meeting of the Enterprise Simulation and Optimization Laboratory, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee June 2007.

Invited Presentation: “Innovations and Practical Advances in Metaheuristics,” Metaheuristics International Meeting (MIC2007), Montreal, Canada, October 2007.

Invited Presentation: “Models and Applications of Simulation Optimization,”  INFORMS Workshop on Applied Optimization, INFORMS National Meeting, Seattle, Washington, November 2007 (with G. Kochenberger).

Invited Presentation: “Adaptive Search Methods for Ordering Decisions in Multi-stage Supply Chains,” 19^th Annual Conference of the Production and Operations Management Society, La Jolla, California, May 2008 (with S. Kumar, K. Stecke and T. Schmidt)

Invited Presentation: “Global Optimization Methods,” Colloquium on Applied Mathematics, University of Paris XXII, Paris, France, October 2008

Invited Presentation: “Simulation Optimization and Agent Based Models,” U.S. Army Research Office, Raleigh, N.C., November 2008 (with B. Thengvall)

Invited Presentation: “Nonlinear Quadratic Optimization and Zero-One Programming,” Laboratoire d/Etude et de Recherche en Informatique d’Angers (LERIA), Universite d’Angers,

Angers, France December 2008.

Invited Presentation: “New Methods for Binary Quadratic Optimization,” International Meeting of the European Operational Research Society, EURO 2009, Bonn, Germany, July 2009.

Invited Presentation: “Neighborhood Structures and Improved Strategies for their Exploitation,” Metaheuristic International Meeting, MIC 2009, Hamburg, Germany, July 2009.

Invited Presentation: “Optimization and Analysis of Agent-based Models,” 77th MORS Symposium, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, August 2009 (with B. Thengvall)

Invited Presentation: “A Framework for the Optimization and Analysis of Agent-based Models,” Winter Simulation Conference, Austin, Texas, December 2009 (with B. Thengvall)

Conference Co-Chair: Special Conference On Methods and Applications of Metaheuristics, School of Business, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, December 2009

Invited Keynote Presentation: “Simulation Optimization: New Advances for Real World Optimization,” Special Conference On Methods and Applications of Metaheuristics, School of Business, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, December 2009 (with G. Kochenberger).

Invited Presentation: “Solving Large max cut problems using tabu search,” INFORMS National Meeting, Austin, Texas, November 2010 (with G. Kochenberger).

Invited Presentation: “Impacts of Tabu Search and its Offspring,” INFORMS National Meeting, Austin, Texas, November 2010.

Program Committee: Metaheuristics International Meeting, MIC2011, Udine, Italy, July 2011.

Chaired Session Titled "Metaheuristics for Quadratic Binary Programs," Metaheuristics International Meeting, MIC2011, Udine, Italy, July 2011.

Invited Presentation:  “Cardinality constrained quadratic binary programming,” Metaheuristics International Meeting, MIC2011, Udine, Italy, July 2011 (with G. Kochenberger and J. K. Hao)

Invited Presentation: “Adaptive Memory Projection Method for Binary Combinatorial Optimization,” Metaheuristics International Meeting, MIC2011, Udine, Italy, July 2011 (with P. Greistorfer)

Invited session co-chair, “Advances in Simulation and Optimization, Production and Operations

            Management Society (POMS) National meeting, Denver, June 2013

Steering Committee, Metaheuristics International Conference, Singapore, August 2013

Keynote speaker and Best Paper award committee, Metaheuristics International Conference,

            Singapore, August 2013

(v)        Headed the development of models and solution methods for plant layout design for General Motors Research Laboratories.  This work linked simulation and embedded optimization phases to determine the subdivision of plant space and relative locations of assembly lines to inventories, in order to enable efficient fabrication of final products.  GM credited this research with saving thousands of hours in engineering design, and with developing improved plant layout procedures that reduced both operating expense and capital costs of building to yield ongoing financial savings of millions of dollars annually.

(vi)       Integrated simulation, network optimization and rule based systems for IBM in a project through the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence of the University of Colorado to determine timing, routing and carriers for shipping orders to customers. The success of this project demonstrated the ability of simulation processes to work effectively in combination with rule based systems as well as with network optimization.

(vii)      Coordinated the development and implementation of simulation models as Head of Research for the NASA Center for Space Construction, to monitor the design and assembly of space stations. Assembly, rendezvous and docking activities were analyzed by means of Monte Carlo simulations, and used in NASA planning operations.

                        (viii)     Co-designed and implemented an employee scheduling system joined with simulation, in association with Management Robotics, Inc. (MRI) and Kroger, as a basis for building useful labor standards utilizing queuing lengths as a critical input. The component developed for MRI was subsequently extended and marketed to the retail food industry, and then to additional parts of the retail industry by Tomax, Inc.

Simulation Optimization

(i)         Pioneered the integration of simulation methods with metaheuristic search procedures based on tabu search and scatter search. This work provided effective methods for linking simulation and optimization by using adaptive memory and population-based methods to exploit the power and flexibility of simulation as a modeling tool. Collaborations on these objectives with James Kelly and Manuel Laguna have led to the creation of OptTek Systems (www.opttek.com), a software provider and consulting company whose OptQuest software has been licensed to over 90,000 users.

(ii)       Co-developed the financial analysis and capital investment software embodied in the OptFolio software for linking simulation and optimization. This software is being used by oil companies, through the intermediary of Landmark Graphics (a Halliburton company), to determine capital investments over multi-year horizons to determine the allocation of funds to different options for exploring, extracting and distributing oil. Integrated into the TERAS PPM solution software, the technology is widely used for applications in the energy and petroleum field.

(iii)      Headed the design and planning of software for a massive simulation study for  the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), in a joint project under the charge of OptTek Systems and Lockheed-Martin Corporation. The study is a 10 year project, currently underway, to generate and analyze USSTRATCOM scenarios for future planning of staffing and structure alternatives. A major Business Activity Management component, with important consequences for the industrial sector, addresses the challenge of forecasting potential bottlenecks, and responding with effective strategies for dealing with them.

(iv)             Jointly conducted a Business Process Management (BPM) study using simulation optimization to analyze the operation of emergency rooms (ERs) in a hospital. The goal was to identify the most effective routing policies and the best use of personnel, hospital space and resources to produce a configuration that minimizes total asset cost (including the staff’s hourly wages and the fixed cost of each ER used). This study produced significant improvements in both asset costs and in patient cycle time, and its design is now embedded in a model and software system implemented by OptTek Systems and SIMPROCESS.

(v)        Developed a new method for approximating the implicit objective function contours produced by a simulation optimization application. This method, called the LEVER method, was funded for development by the National Science Foundation, and embodied in software that achieved a 10 fold improvement in the efficiency of searching for an optimal or near optimal solution by simulation optimization. Extensions of the LEVER method currently underway have applications to data mining, pattern analysis and machine learning.

Heuristics and Metaheuristics for Optimization

(i)         Introduced the tabu search approach for nonlinear and combinatorial optimization.  Tabu search, which is based on designing and exploiting adaptive memory structures to determine effective trajectories through complex search spaces, has become the focus of many sessions and tutorials at national and international meetings of INFORMS, the Mathematical Programming Society, the International Federation of Operations Research and many other leading societies.  The method is widely used in applications due to its ability to handle problems that involve complicating restrictions and goals that are not easily represented by classical optimization models. A Google search on "tabu search" yields over two million results.

(ii)        Developed and co-developed tabu search implementations for optimization problems in scheduling, routing, production planning, graph partitioning, telecommunications network design, financial planning under uncertainty, clustering, facility location, multilevel assignment, space planning and a variety of other areas.  The foundation papers underlying this work received a National Award for Research Excellence from the Computer Science Society of INFORMS. This work was also cited as one of the cornerstones for the receipt of the John Von Neumann Theory Prize.

(iii)      Developed the evolutionary method called scatter search that integrates heuristics with population based processes for combining solutions in Euclidean space.  These designs are now recognized to yield, as special cases, fundamental "crossover" mechanisms that were introduced into the genetic algorithm literature approximately a decade later (including uniform crossover, Bernoulli crossover and arithmetic crossover).  Additional components of scatter search, and its path relinking generalization that replaces Euclidean space by neighborhood space, have provided effective new methods for nonlinear optimization and for integrating optimization with simulation.

(iv)       Introduced the star path framework for exploiting scatter search in the context of zero‑one integer programming.  The theorems underlying this framework provide a mechanism for mapping the space of zero‑one feasible solutions into a collapsed space that is contained within the intersection of a valid cutting plane and the cone spanned by a linear programming vertex.  The resulting approach gives a means for solving zero‑one optimization problems by linking cutting planes and search methods.

(v)        Developed the class of procedures called ejection chain methods for generating complex moves in search space from simple components.  Theorems for these methods show that by means of certain "reference structures" it is possible to implicitly design compound neighborhoods containing exponentially large numbers of solutions, but whose best member can be identified in low order polynomial time. Heuristic refinements have additionally been demonstrated to give high quality solutions in linear time.  Ejection chain implementations guided by tabu search memory structures have produced the best known results for solving vehicle routing problems, generalized assignment problems, and combinatorial applications involving traveling salesman problems attended by complicating constraints.

(vi)       Co‑developed the target analysis learning framework for improving the effectiveness of heuristic and exact solution methods.  Target analysis has been used to generate improved decision rules in search methods and in branch and bound procedures applied to problems of nuclear refueling, machine scheduling and telecommunication design. Recently it has been applied in conjunction with a global sensitivity analysis to yield 90% improvements in solution efficiency for solving problems of determining optimal investments in financial planning.

(vii)      Developed the memory construct known as critical event memory, which is providing new advances for solving discrete optimization problems.  In accompaniment with standard memory structures of tabu search, critical event memory has produced the best currently available heuristics for solving multidimensional knapsack problems and binary quadratic programming problems. These methods strongly dominate previous methods, and yield increasingly better solutions as the size and complexity of the problems grow.        

INVITED SPEAKER

                                              (Partial Listing of engagements since 1990)

Invited presentation titled, "Fundamentals of Optimal Search," Joint US/USSR Seminar on Advances in Optimization," Washington, D.C., January 8-12, 1990.

Invited presentation titled, "Tabu Search Applications in Engineering," Industrial Engineering/Operations Research Seminar, University of California, Berkeley, March 12, 1990.

Invited presentation titled, "Combinatorial Optimization and Search Algorithms," Operations Research Colloquia, Stanford University, March 14, 1990.

Invited presentation titled, "Tabu Search for Discrete Optimization," Office of Naval Research Computational Combinatorics Seminar, Lafayette, Indiana, April 19, 1990.

Invited Plenary Tutorial, "Artificial Intelligence and Management Science with New Linkages for Simulation" Joint National TIMS/ORSA Meetings, Las Vegas, May 7-9, 1990.

Two invited presentations titled "A Pseudo-Polynomial Primal Method for Network Optimization"  and "Tabu Search for Combinatorial Programming Problems," International Federation of Operations Research Meetings, Athens, Greece, June 1990.

Chaired the special invited session titled "Combinatorial Complexity: the P = NP Question," International Federation of Operations Research Meetings, Athens, Greece, June 1990.

Invited presentation titled "Target Analysis for Marrying Simulation and Optimization in Decision Planning," FAW Institute, University of Ulm, Germany, July 1990.

Invited presentation titled "Heuristic Search and Integer Programming," Institute for Advanced Studies, Vienna, Austria, July 1990.

Invited presentation titled "Tabu Search for Discrete Optimization" at the DGOR/SVOR International Conference on Operations Research, Vienna, Austria, August 1990.

Chaired session titled "Discrete Optimization and Complexity Theory" at the DGOR/SVOR International Conference on Operations Research, Vienna, Austria, August 1990.

Invited presentation titled "Recent Developments and Applications of Tabu Search," International "Viewpoints on Optimization" Meeting of the Mathematical Programming Society, Grimentz, Switzerland, September 1990.

Invited presentation titled "Parallelism and the Tabu Search Framework for Combinatorial Optimization," Computer Science Department, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, September 1990.

Invited presentation titled, "Tabu Search Heuristics and Applications," International LIPN "Optimization Days," Paris, France, September 1990.

Four invited presentations on "Operations Research and Artificial Intelligence Methods or Optimization Problems," Mathematics Department, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, September 1990.

Invited presentation titled "Optimization Methods in Scheduling and Production Planning," Joint Seminar sponsored by the University of Basel and Cibba-Geiggy Corporation, November 1990.

Presented the invited paper titled, "Bandwidth Packing:  A Tabu Search Approach", First Workshop on combinatorial Optimization in Science and Technology, RUTOR, April 2-6, 1991.

Chaired session titled, "Heuristic Procedures for Combinatorial Optimization Problems", First Workshop on Combinatorial Optimization in Science and Technology, RUTOR, April 2-6, 1991.

Presented the invited paper titled, "Advances in Tabu Search for Nonlinear and Parametric Optimization", TIMS/ORSA Joint National Meeting, May 12-15, 1991.

Presented the invited paper titled, "Multilevel Tabu Search," TIMS/ORSA Joint National Meeting, May 12-15, 1991.

Contributed presentation, "Solving Facility Layout Problems Using Diversification Search", TIMS/ORSA Joint National Meeting, May 12-15, 1991.  (with Jim Kelly and Manuel Laguna)

Contributed presentation, "Automating the Development of Heuristic Search Methods with Target Analysis", TIMS/ORSA Joint National Meeting, May 12-15, 1991. (with John Knox)

Invited presentation titled, "Tabu Search Applications and Innovations", IMAG Laboratories, Grenoble, July 12, 1991.

Invited Plenary presentation titled, "Operations Research and Artificial Intelligence Applied to Optimizing Simulation", International EURO XI Meetings, Aachen, Germany, July 16, 1991.

Chaired plenary presentation titled, "OR and Expert Systems," International EURO XI Meeting, Aachen, Germany, July 16-19, 1991.

Chaired the invited, "Klingman Memorial Session on Mathematical Optimization", International Mathematical Programming Society Meetings, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, August 5-9, 1991.

Chaired session titled, "Tabu Search Methods and Applications", International Mathematical Programming Society Meetings, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, August 5-9, 1991.

Invited plenary presentation titled, "Tabu Search Innovations and Implications for Flexible Modeling via Simulation", International IMAG Franco-Japanese Meetings, Grenoble, France, August 12-15, 1991.

Invited plenary presentation titled, "Artificial Intelligence Methodologies for Optimization and Simulation-Based Models", International AFCET Franco-Suisse Meetings, Paris, France, September 11-13, 1991.

Chaired session titled, "Simulated Annealing Models and Processes", International AFCET Franco-Suisse Meetings, Paris, France, September 11-13, 1991.

Invited Presentation titled, "New Developments in Tabu Search and Principle of Proximate Optimality", AFOSR Seminar on Mathematical Foundations of Optimization, Denver, Colorado, October 4, 1991.

Invited Presentation titled, "Tabu Search and Nonlinear Optimization", AFOSR Meeting on Optimization in Chemistry, Edward AFB, California, October 21-23, 1991.

Invited panelist, ORSA Computer Science Technical Section titled, "Model Management and Operations Research", Joint National ORSA/TIMS Meeting, Anaheim, California, November 3-6, 1991.

Contributed presentation titled, "Automating the Development of Heuristic Search Methods with Target Analysis", Joint National ORSA/TIMS Meeting, Anaheim, California, November 3-6, 1991.

Chairman of Invited session titled, "Heuristic Search Methods and Applications", Joint National ORSA/TIMS Meeting, Anaheim, California, November 3-6, 1991.

Invited Presentation titled, "Heuristic Search Methods and Applications", Joint National ORSA/TIMS Meeting, Anaheim, California, November 3-6, 1991.

Invited seminar, "Mathematical Optimization and Artificial Intelligence," Applied Mathematics Seminar Series, University of Colorado, Boulder, March, 1992 (with M. Laguna and J. Kelly.)

Invited Tutorial Session, "Artificial Intelligence and Optimization: A New Foundation for Exploiting Simulation" ORSA/TIMS Joint National Meeting, Orlando, Florida, April 26-29, 1992 (with M. Laguna and J. Kelly.)

Invited presentation, "Ghost Image Processes for Optimization by Neural Networks," ORSA/TIMS Joint National Meeting, Orlando, Florida, April 26-29, 1992.

Chaired invited session, "Neural Networks in Optimization," ORSA/TIMS Joint National Meeting, Orlando, Florida, April 26-29, 1992.

Special invited plenary session, "Genetic Algorithms and Tabu Search; Hybrids for Optimization," National Foundation of Genetic Algorithms Meeting, Vail Colorado, July 26-29, 1992 (with M. Laguna and J. Kelly.)

Invited plenary talk, "Ejection Chains for TSP Optimization, International Symposium on Graph Theory and Combinatorics," Grimentz, Switzerland, August 23-28, 1992.

Chaired the invited session titled "Combinatorial Optimization and Scheduling Systems" at the Intelligent Scheduling Systems Symposium of ORSA/TIMS, San Francisco, CA., November 1, 1992.

Chaired the invited session "Combinatorial Search:  New Advances" at the Joint National Meeting of the Operations Research Society and the Institute of Management Science, San Francisco, CA., November 2-4, 1992.

Co-presented the invited talk "Scheduling with Tabu Search and Ejection Chain Strategies," at the Joint National Meeting of the Operations Research Society and the Institute of Management Science, San Francisco, CA., November 2-4, 1992 (with W. Barnes).

Presented the invited talk "The Combinatorial Leverage Principle for More Powerful Heuristics," at the Joint National Meeting of the Operations Research Society and the Institute of Management Science, San Francisco, CA., November 2-4, 1992.

Co-presented the invited talk "Update on Tabu Search in Scheduling," at the Joint National Meeting of the Operations Research Society and the Institute of Management Science, San Francisco, CA., November 2-4, 1992 (with J. Kelly and M. Laguna).

Presented the invited paper "An Overview of Tabu Search Approaches to Exploiting Simulation," at the Intelligent Scheduling Systems Symposium of ORSA/TIMS, San Francisco, CA., November 1, 1992 (with M. Laguna).

Co-authored the invited presentation "Telecommunications Planning by Optimization and AI-Related Search," at the Joint National Meeting of the Operations Research Society and the Institute of Management Science, San Francisco, CA., November 2-4, 1992 (with J. Ryan).

Presented the invited paper "New Results for Aggregating Integer-Valued Equations," Symposium on Applied Mathematical Programming and Modeling, Budapest, Hungry, January 1993.

Presented the Keynote Talk "Heuristic Advances in Optimization Integrating Tabu Search, Ejection Chains and Neural Networks," Symposium on Applied Mathematical Programming and Modeling, Budapest, Hungry, January 1993.

Organized and chaired the cluster "OR and Artificial Intelligence," Symposium on Applied Mathematical Programming and Modeling, Budapest, Hungry, January 1993.

Chaired the invited session, "Tabu Search and Meta-Hybrids for Optimization," Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Sciences and the Operations Research Society of America, Chicago, Illinois, May 1993.

Co-presented the invited talk "Expanded Optimization and Search Framework for Neural Networks," (with J. Kelly).  Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Sciences and the Operations Research Society of America, Chicago, Illinois, May 1993.

Co-presented the invited talk "Optimization and Recursive Partition:  Machine Discovery of Quality Improvement," (with T. Cox).  Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Sciences and the Operations Research Society of America, Chicago, Illinois, May 1993.

Co-presented the invited talk "New Column Generating Approach for Nonlinear Regression," (with R. Barr).  Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Sciences and the Operations Research Society of America, Chicago, Illinois, May 1993.

Co-presented the invited talk "Implicit Model Representations Using Tabu Search," (with J. Kelly and M. Laguna), Integration of Modeling, Optimization and Analysis Roundtable, Denver, CO, May, 1993.

Organized and headed the "Heuristic Methods in Optimization" cluster of sessions for the XIII World Conference on Operations Research, Lisbon, Portugal, July 1993.

Co-presented an invited plenary tutorial titled "AI-Related Heuristics and Applications" (with M. Laguna) at the XIII World Conference on Operations Research, Lisbon, Portugal, July 1993.

Chaired the invited session titled "Metaheuristics in Optimization," at the XIII World Conference on Operations Research, Lisbon, Portugal, July 1993.

Co-presented the opening plenary session titled "Overview of Metaheuristics and Recent Advances for Simulation-Based Optimization," (with J. Kelly) at the National Meeting of the Operations Research Society of Italy, Capri, Italy, September 1993.

Chaired the invited plenary session titled "Advances in Methods for Distribution and Routing," at the National Meeting of the Operation Research Society of Italy, Capri, Italy, September 1993.

Organized and introduced the opening plenary session titled "The Vital Link," (by R. McCormick, US West CEO) at the Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations Research Society of America, October 1993.

Chaired the invited session titled "New Methods and Models for Integer Programming," at the Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations Research Society of America, October 1993.

Presented the invited paper titled "Solving Zero-One Integer Programming Problems by Cone-to-Vertex Projections and Directional Rounding, at the Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations Research Society of America, October 1993.

Co-authored the invited presentation titled "A Recursive Polynomial Algorithm for LP-Based Discrimination," (with R. Barr) at the Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations Research Society of America, October 1993.

Chaired the invited session titled "Artificial Intelligence and Operations Research for Real World Optimization," at the Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations  Research Society of America, October 1993.

Presented the invited paper titled "Extended Scatter Search:  Genetic Models and Beyond," at the Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations  Research Society of America, October 1993.

Presented the invited talk titled "Beyond the Genetic Metaphor: Scatter Search and Alternatives to Genetic Algorithms," Mathematical Optimization Seminar, University of Colorado-Denver, November 1993.

Co-authored the invited Tutorial Session titled "Computational Methods for Optimizing Diversity," (with C. Kuo and K. Dhir) National Meeting of the Decision Sciences Institute, Washington, D. C., November 1993.

Presented the invited talk titled "Tutorial on Tabu Search - With Threshold, Genetic and Neural Network Hybrids," Computer Science Colloquium, December 1993.

Presented invited Keynote Tutorial Session titled "Tabu Search and Neural Network Hybrids for Optimizing within a Simulation Framework," International Computer Science and Operations Research Meetings, Williamsburg, VA, January 5-7, 1994.

Chaired invited session on "Search Methods for Scheduling."  International computer Science and Operations Research Meetings, Williamsburg, VA, January 5-7, 1994.

Chaired invited session on "Heuristics and Learning."  Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations Research Society of America.  Boston, MA, April 24-27, 1994.

Presented invited talk titled "Ejection Chains and Tabu Search."  Joint National Meeting of the Institute of Management Science and the Operations Research Society of America.  Boston, MA, April 24-27, 1994.

Invited Keynote Tutorial Presentation titled "Tabu Search for Practical Applications."  15th Triennial International Symposium on Mathematical Programming.  Ann Arbor, Michigan, August 15-20, 1994.

Invited presentation titled "Metaheuristics in Artificial Intelligence and Operations Research."  Air Force Office of Scientific Research Special Colloquium.  Hawk Inn, Vermont, October 4-9, 1994.

Invited presentation titled "Robust Optimization in Long Range Planning."  Air Force Office of Scientific Special Colloquium.  Hawk Inn, Vermont, October 4-9, 1994.

Invited presentation titled "Tabu Search and its Real World Applications."  University of British Columbia Seminar Series on Science and Technology in Commerce.  University of British Columbia Seminar, November 7, 1994.

Invited presentation titled "New Advances in Search and Optimization."  Computer Science and Mathematics Colloquium.  Simon Frasier University, Vancouver, B.C., December 11, 1994.

Invited Lead Speaker for presentation titled "Uses of Tabu Search in Telecommunications."  3rd International Conference on Telecommunication Systems, Modeling and Analysis, Nashville, Tennessee, March 16-19, 1995.

Chaired invited session titled "Developments in Tabu Search & Its Applications."  INFORMS College on Artificial Intelligence, Los Angeles, California, April 23-26, 1995.

Invited presentation titled "Integrating Tabu Search & Cutting Planes for Integer Programming."  INFORMS College on Artificial Intelligence, Los Angeles, California, April 23-26, 1995.

Chaired invited session titled "Advances in Integer Programming Theory & Practice."  INFORMS College on Artificial Intelligence, Los Angeles, California, April 23-26, 1995.

Invited presentation titled "Tabu Search:  Methods and Applications."  INFORMS Workshop on Enterprise Modeling and Knowledge Management, College on Artificial Intelligence, April 23, 1995 (with James Kelly and Manuel Laguna).

Invited presentation titled "Tabu Search."  International Conference on State of the Art in Global Optimization:  Computational Methods and Applications, Princeton University, April 28-30, 1995.

Invited presentation titled "Tabu Search, Scatter Search and Simulation"  International Conference on Optimization:  Techniques and Applications, Chengdu University of Science and Technology, Chengdu, China, June 5-8, 1995.

Invited presentation titled "Tutorial on Heuristic-Based Optimization within Simulation."  TIMS XXXIII International Conference, Singapore, June 25, 1995 (with Manuel Laguna).

Invited presentation titled "Graph Partitioning by Tabu Search:  Deterministic and Probabilistic Strategies."  TIMS XXXIII International Conference, Singapore, June 25-28, 1995 (with Fan Tseng).

Chaired invited session titled "Tabu Search."  TIMS XXXIII International Conference, Singapore, June 25-28, 1995 (with Manuel Laguna).

Presented keynote address at the Metaheuristics International Conference, Breckenridge, Colorado, July 22-26, 1995.

General Chairman and Organizer for Metaheuristics International Conference, Breckenridge, Colorado, July 22-26, 1995.

General Chairman of Cluster titled "Heuristic Programming," (20 sessions), INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995.

Invited tutorial presentation titled "Tabu Search & Its Real World Application in Simulation and Optimization."  INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995 (with James Kelly and Manuel Laguna).

Invited presentation titled "Solving Netform-Based IP Models with B&B and Tabu Search."  INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995 (with Helmut Mausser).

Invited presentation titled "Optimal Network Design for Telecommunications Planning."  INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995 (with Xiaorong Sun and Helmut Mausser).

Invited presentation titled "New Ways to Exploit Structure in Resource-Constrained Project Scheduling."  INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995 (with Helmut Mausser and Steve Lawrence).

Co-presenter of invited paper titled "Solving Stochastic Financial Problems by a GRG/Tabu Search Method."  INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995 (with Michael Tapia and John Mulvey).

Invited presentation titled "LP-Based Recursive Partitioning for High-Speed Machine Learning and Pattern Recognition."  INFORMS, New Orleans, October 29-November 1, 1995 (with Richard S. Barr).

Chaired invited session titled "Tabu Search Methods."  International Federation of Operations Research (IFORS) meeting, Vancouver, July 8-12, 1996.

Chaired invited session titled "Real World Telecommunication and Project Scheduling Models."  International Federation of Operations Research, Vancouver, July 8-12, 1996.

Co-presenter of invited paper titled "Tabu Search.and Scatter Search for Wedding Simulation and Optimization" International Federation of Operations Research, Vancouver, July 8-12, 1996.

Presented invited paper titled "Improved Constructive Multistart Strategies for the Quadratic

            Assignment Problem." International Federation of Operations Research, Vancouver, July 8-12,

            1996.

Co-presenter of invited paper titled "Probabilistic Tabu Search Heuristic for Telecommunications Network Design."  International Federation of Operations Research, Vancouver, July 8-12, 1996.

Presented Plenary Session titled: "New Advances in Metaheuristics," the Metaheuristics International Meeting (MIC-II), Sophia-Antipolis, France, July 24-28, 1997.

Chaired Invited Session titled: "Metaheuristics in Scheduling and Logistics," the Metaheuristics International Meeting (MIC-II), Sophia-Antipolis, France, July 24-28, 1997.

Presented invited Tutorial titled:  "Tabu Search and Evolutionary Methods for Optimization of Simulation-Based Models," Asia-Pacific Operations Research Society Meeting, World Congress Centre, Melbourne, Australia, November 30-December 4, 1997.

Chaired invited session titled:  "Innovations for Optimization," Asia-Pacific Operations Research Society Meeting, World Congress Centre, Melbourne, Australia, November 30-December 4, 1997.

Presented invited paper titled: “An ATM Routing for Telecommunication Network,” INFORMS, San Diego, California, May 4-7, 1997.

Chaired invited session titled: “Meta-Heuristics for Solving Integer, Nonlinear & Stochastic Problems,” INFORMS, San Diego, California, May 4-7, 1997.

Presented invited paper titled: “Solving a Dynamic Routing Communications Network Design Problem Using Tabu Search, INFORMS. San Diego, California, May 4-7, 1997.

Presented invited Tutorial titled: “Tabu Search for Nonlinear, Stochastic and Simulation-Based Optimization,” INFORMS. San Diego, California, May 4-7, 1997.

Presented invited paper titled: “Searching for Optimal Algorithm Parameters,” INFORMS. San Diego, California, May 4-7, 1997.

Presented invited paper titled: “Cut Search and Star Path Methods for Integer Programming,” INFORMS, Joint International Meeting, Barcelona, Spain, July 14-17, 1997.

Co-Presented invited tutorial at the DIMACS Workshop on New Advances in Simulation and Optimization, Rutgers, NJ, May 1999.

Co-presented invited tutorial titled: “Binary Quadratic Optimization” at the International Meeting Discrete Optimization ’99, at the Rutgers Center of Operations Research (RUTCOR), July 25-29, 1999.

Co-presented invited tutorial titled: “Improved Methods for Complex Stochastic and Nonlinear Optimization Using Simulation-Based Models,” IFORS’99, 15^th World Conference on Operational Research, Beijing, China, August 16-20, 1999.

Co-presented invited tutorials titled: “New Advances for Integrating Simulation and Optimization,” at the National Meeting of the Institute of Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS), Philadelphia, Philadelphia, November 7-10, 1999.

Co-presented invited tutorial: “New Advances for Combining Simulation and Optimization,” at the annual Winter Simulation Conference (WSC ’99), Phoenix, Arizona, December 5-7, 1999.

Co-presented invited talk titled "Scatter Search to Generate, and Chunking to Evaluate, Diverse Solutions," at the 7th INFORMS Computing Society Conference, Cancun, Mexico, January 5-7, 2000.

Co-presented invited talk on "Adaptive Memory and Scatter Search for Simulation Optimization," at the XVII EURO Conference, Budapest, Hungary, July 16-19, 2000.

Co-presented invited talk titled "One-pass Algorithms for Very Large Binary Quadratic Programs," at the 17th European Conference on Operations Research, Budapest, Hungary, July 16-19, 2000.

Co-presented invited talk, The DIMACS TSP Challenge: Preliminary Results, 17th International Symposium on Mathematical Programming (ISMP2000), Georgia Institute of Technology, August 7-11, 2000.

Co-presented invited talk titled "The Comparison of Parallel Programming Techniques Applied to the Maximum Clique Problem," at the 17th International Symposium on Mathematical Programming, Atlanta, Georgia, August 7-11, 2000.

Co-presented invited tutorial titled "Recent Advances in Tabu Search and Evolutionary Scatter Search in Simulation-Based Optimization," at the IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, San Diego, California, 2000.

Co-presented invited talk titled "Using Explicit Memory in Restart Methods," at the INFORMS 2000 Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, November 5-8, 2000.

Co-presented invited talk titled "Integrating Simulation and Optimization through Metaheuristics," INFORMS Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, November 5-8, 2000.

Co-presenter and Panelist, "Integrating Optimization and Simulation: Research and Practice," at the Winter Simulation Conference, Orlando, Florida, December 2000.

Co-Organized the International Conference "Adaptive Memory and Evolution:  Tabu Search and Scatter Search," sponsored by NSF, ESRI and the Hearin Center for Enterprise Science, Oxford, MS, USA, March 8-10, 2001.

Co-Director, the DIMACS TSP Challenge, 2001, hosted by Rutgers University.

Invited Cluster Chair, "Applications & Extensions of Metaheuristics,"  National INFORMS 2001 Meeting, Miami, Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.

Invited Session Chair, "Network Optimization," Annual International Event of the European Chapter on Combinatorial Optimization, ECCO XIV, Bonn, Germany, 31 May - 2 June, '01.

Invited Session Chair, "Adaptive Memory Programming and New Evolutionary Models (I)," National IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics 2001 Meeting, Tucson, Arizona, 7-10 October, '01.

Invited Session Chair, "Adaptive Memory Programming and New Evolutionary Models (II)," National IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics 2001 Meeting, Tucson, Arizona, 7-10 October, '01.

Invited Plenary presentation, "New Methods and Computational Results for Combinatorial Problems with Simulation Components," European Chapter on Combinatorial Optimization, ECCO XIV, Bonn, Germany, 31 May - 2 June, 2001  (with M. Laguna).

Invited Plenary Presentation, MIC' 2001: 4th Metaheutistics International Conference, Porto, Portugal, July 2001 (with G. Kochenberger and C. Rego), "Advances in Metaheuristics for Classical and Real World Problems"

Invited Presentation, ECCO XIV, European Chapter on Combinatorial Optimization. March 31 to June 2, 2001. (with A. Lokketangen), "On the tradeoff between randomization and search guidance".

Invited Presentation, Adaptive Memory and Evolution: Tabu Search and Scatter Search, at the Hearin Center for Enterprize Science, Oxford, Mississippi, 8-10 March '01. (with A. Lokketangen), "Search Guidance for Satisfiability Problems".

Invited Presentation, The Canadian Operationnal Research Society (CORS) Quebec city (Canada), May 6-9, 2001, (with M. Toulouse and K. Thulasiraman), "The Energy Function of Cooperative Multi-level Graph Partitioning Algorithms"

Invited Presentation, Memory and Evolution: Tabu Search and Scatter Search Conference, March 8-10, 2001 (with M. Toulouse and K.  Thulasiraman, "Dynamics of Multilevel Cooperative Search Algorithms"

Invited Presentation, MIC' 2001: 4th Metaheutistics International Conference, Porto, Portugal, July 2001, (with C. Rego and D. Gamboa, "Analysis on the Implementation of Efficient Heuristic     Algorithms for the Traveling Salesman Problem"

Invited presentation, Max Planck - Poland Symposium on Bioinformatics, Berlin, Germany, October 22-23, 2001, (with J. Blazewicz),  "New Approaches to DNA Sequencing Using Metaheuristic Analysis"

Invited presentation, IEEE Systems, Man and Cybernetics 2001, Tucson, Arizona, 7-10 October, '01, (with M. Yagiura and T. Ibaraki) "An Effective Metaheuristic Agorithm for the Generalized Assignment Problem"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.     (with A. Lokketangen), "Surrogate Constraint Guidance versus Randomization in Local Search Methods for the Satisfiability Problem"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.  (with R. Barr and B. Hickman), "Information Engineering with Optimization and Simulation-Based Alternatives to Classic Multivarate Statistical Models"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.  (with W. Adams and R. Forrester), "Comparisons & Enhancement Strategies for Linearizing Mixed 0-1 Quadratic Programs"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.  (with A. Lokketangen) "Surrogate Constraint Guidance for Boolean Optimization Problems"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01. "New Methods & Results for Synthesizing Simulation and Optimization"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.  (with G. Kochenberger and B. Alidaee), "New Heuristic Approaches to Graph Optimization & Related Problems"

Invited presentation, INFORMS 2001, Miami,  Florida, USA, 4-7 Nov. '01.  (with C. Rego), "Filter and Fan Methods for Combinatorial Optimization"

Invited presentation, Winter Simulation Conference, WSC 2001, Washington,  D.C., 9-12 Dec., '01, (with J. Kelly and J. April) "New Advances in Optimizing over Uncertainty by Combining Simulation and Optimization"

Invited panel presentation, Winter Simulation Conference, WSC 2001, Washington, D.C., 9-12 Dec., '01, (with J. Kelly), "Future of Simulation Optimization"

Invited Principal Talk, 15th Cumberland Conference in Combinatorics, Graph Theory and Computing, Oxford, MS, May 16-18, 2002. (wih G. Kochenberger), "A Royal Road to Combinatorial Optimization - The 0-1 Quadratic Programming Problem"

Invited paper,MAS V- Military Personnel Research, sponsored by INFORMS, NPRST and ONR, June 3-5, 2002 (with K. Womer, and G. Kochenberger), "Innovations in Optimization Methodologies"

Invited paper, MAS V- Military Personnel Research, sponsored by INFORMS, NPRST and ONR, June 3-5, 2002 (with M. Amini and G. Kochenberger), "New Advances in Discrete Generalized Networks" 

Invited featured paper, INFORMS Conference on OR/MS Practice: Analyzing and Enhancing the Extended Enterprise, May 19-21, 2002, Montreal Canada (with J. Kelly), "Innovations in Metaheuristics and Applications to Simulation Optimization"

Invited Panel, INFORMS Conference on OR/MS Practice: Analyzing and Enhancing the Extended Enterprise, May 19-21, 2002, Montreal,Canada, ,"The OR Entrepreneur"

Invited paper, International Symposium on Combinatorial Optimization (CO'02)  Paris, April 8-10 (with Said Hanafi), "Convergent Tabu Search for Optimal Partitioning"

Invited Presentation, Very Large-Scale Neighborhood Search Algorithms; Session (with C. Rego and A. Punnen), "Advances in Ejection Chain Methods for the Traveling Salesman Problem"

Invited Presentation, INFORMS 2002, San Diego, CA. (with M. Amini and G. Kochenberger) Invited Presentation, "Discrete Optimization via Netforms and Dynamic B&B," INFORMS 2002, San Diego, CA. (with M. Amini and G. Kochenberger)

Invited Presentation, " New Prospects and Developments for Joining Optimization with Simulation," IFORS 2002, Edinburgh, UK, July 8-12, 2002.

Invited Presentation, "An Evolutionary Metaheuristic for Unconstrained Binary Quadratic Programming," IFORS 2002, Edinburgh, UK, July 8-12, 2002 (with C. Rego, M. Amini and B. Alidaee)

Invited Presentation, "Foundation-Penalty Cuts for Mixed Integer Optimization," Tri-Regional University Seminar, University of Bologna, Italy, October 24, 2002.

Invited Presentation, “Latest Advances in Adaptive Memory Programming,” ROADEF Meeting, Avignon, France, February 2003.

Invited Seminar "Second Generation Applications of Tabu Search and Scatter Search in Simulation Optimization,” EPFL, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, March 2003.

Invited Plenary Presentation titled "Metaheuristic Agent Based Processes with Applications to Nonlinear, Stochastic and Simulation-Based Models,” (with G. Kochenberger), International MIC 2003 conference, Kyoto, Japan, August 2003.

Invited Presentation titled "An Adaptive Surrogate Constraint Algorithm for the Set Covering Problem" (with Jie Zhang and Cesar Rego), INFORMS conference, Advances on Metaheuristics for Combinatorial Optimization, Atlanta, Georgia, October 2003.

Invited Paper titled "Improved Solution Approaches for Boolean Optimization,” (with Arne Lokketangen), INFORMS conference, Advances on Metaheuristics for Combinatorial Optimization, Atlanta, Georgia, October 2003

Chaired Session Titled "Metaheuristics -- Unified Frameworks and New Advances" in the Mathematical Programming cluster of the international Joints CORS/INFORMS meeting, Banff, Canada, May 2004.

Chaired session titled "New Methods for Discrete Nonlinear and Satisfiability Problems," in the INFORMS Computing Society (ICS) Cluster of the international Joints CORS/INFORMS meeting, Banff, Canada, May 2004.

Chair of a special cluster on the topic of SCIENCE & OR at the national INFORMS meeting, Denver, October 24-27, 2004.

Organizing Committee: The 2nd Multidisciplinary International Conference on Scheduling : Theory and Applications (MISTA 2005), 18th - 21st July 2005, New York, USA

Invited Presentation titled "A Unified Modeling and Solution Framework for Partitioning and Related Problems," Fred Glover and Gary Kochenberger, for the conference "Multiscale Optimization Methods and Applications," University of Florida, February 26 - 28, 2004.

Invited presentation titled "The Unconstrained Quadratic Binary Program: A Unified Modeling and Solution Framework for Combinatorial Optimization," with Gary Kochenberger, at the International Joint CORS/INFORMS meeting, Banff, Canada, May 2004.

Invited presentation titled "A Candidate List Strategy with a Simple Diversification Device," with Gilles Trombettoni and Bertrand Neveu, at the International Joint CORS/INFORMS meeting, Banff, Canada, May 2004.

Invited paper titled "Evaluating Alternative Roles and New Product Technologies in Uncertain Domain Environments,"  for the 11TH  International Product Development Management Conference,  EIASM - The European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management (with R. Farina), Dublin, Ireland, June 20-22, 2004

Invited Paper titled: "New Advances on Solving the Protein Folding Problem," at the Denver INFORMS 2004 National Meeting, October 24-27, 2004 (with C. Rego and H. Li).

Invited Tutorial presentation titled: "Simulation Optimization," at the Denver INFORMS 2004 National Meeting, October 24-27, 2004 (with J. April and J. Kelly).

Computational Biology Poster Presentation titled “New Advances on Solving the Protein Folding Problem,” Butcher Symposium on Genetics and Biotechnology, November 11, 2004

Invited paper ”Simulation Optimization for Business Process Trends,” Winter Simulation Conference WSC '04, Washington, D.C.,  December 5-8, 2004 (with J. April, J. Kelly and M. Laguna)

Invited paper titled "Improved Clustering of Microarray Data," (with G. Kochenberger, B. Alidaee and H. Wang), Conference on Systems Analysis, Data Mining and Optimization in Biomedicine, Gainesville, FL , Feb 2005.

Invited paper titled "Tree Search Neighborhoods for the Protein Folding Problem in the HP Lattice Model," (with H. Li and C. Rego), Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Mississippi Academy of Sciences (MAS) Annual Meeting, Oxford Convention Center; Oxford, MS, February 16-18, 2005.

Invited paper titled "Advances in Data Mining via Quadratic Programming," (with G. Kochenberger) Conference on Systems Analysis, Data Mining and Optimization in Biomedicine, Gainesville, FL , Feb 2005.

Opening Plenary Presentation, titled "New Developments for Metatheuristics in Science and Industry," 6th Metaheuristics International Conference MIC2005 , Vienna, August 22-26, 2005

Invited presentation titled "Attractive Nonlinear Models: Calling into Question the Tenet of Linearity for Combinatorial Problems," (with G. Kochenberger, B. Alidaee, and H. Wang), 6th Metaheuristics International Conference MIC2005 , Vienna, August 22-26, 2005.

Invited paper titled "Clustering via Clique Partitioning," (with G. Kochenberger), National INFORMS Meeting, San Francisco, November 13-16, 2005.

Invited paper titled "Parallelization and Diversification Strategies for the Quadratic Assignment Problem," (with T. James and C. Rego), National INFORMS Meeting, San Francisco, November 13-16, 2005.

Invited paper titled “Advances in Mixed Integer Formulations for Pattern Analysis,” Conference on Data Mining, Systems Analysis and Optimization in Neuroscience," University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, February 15-17 2006.
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Invited Keynote Presentation: "New Optimization Models for Data Mining," Xiangshan Sciences Forum on Frontier Studies on Data Technology and Knowledge Economy, Meeting of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China May 21-25, 2006 (with G. Kochenberger)

Invited Presentation: "Simulating Disruptions in Supply Chains," International Conference on National Security, Natural Disasters, Logistics and Transportation,     University of Rhode Island, September 25-26, 2006 (with T. Schmitt, K. Stecke, and S. Kumar)

Invited Presentation: "Attractive Nonlinear Models for Combinatorial Optimization," EURO XXI European Conference on Operational Research, Reykjavik,      Iceland, July 2-5, 2006 (with G. Kochenberger)

Invited Presentation: “An Ejection Chain Algorithm for the Quadratic Assignment Problem," EURO XXI European Conference on Operational Research, Reykjavik, Iceland, July 2-5, 2006 (with C. Rego and T. James)

Invited Presentation: “A Primal-Dual RAMP Algorithm for Very Large Set Covering Problems," EURO XXI European Conference on Operational Research, Reykjavik, Iceland, July 2-5, 2006 (with J. Ablanedo and C. Rego)

Invited Presentation: “New Optimization Models for Data Mining,” International Conference on Applied Optimization and Metaheuristic Innovations, Yalta, Ukraine, July 19-21, 2006 (with M. Better and G. Kochenberger)

Invited Presentation: "Innovations in Mathematical Methods for Pattern Analysis,” Institute of Cybernetics, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, July 25, 2006

Invited Presentation: “A Novel Approach to Classification in Financial Applications,” INFORMS Workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Data Mining, INFORMS National Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, November 2006 (with M. Better and G. Kochenberger)

Invited Presentation: “Multi-Start Tabu Search and Diversification Strategies for the Quadratic Assignment Problem,” INFORMS National Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, November 2006 (with T. James and C. Rego).

Invited Presentation: "Evaluating the Performance of Multi-Stage Supply Chains under Disruptions and Random Customer Demand," INFORMS National Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, November 2006 (with Sanjay Kumar, Thomas G. Schmitt and Kathryn E. Stecke)

Invited Presentation: “New Data Mining Models and Applications,” Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, May 2007 (with G. Kochenberger).

Invited Presentation: “Simulation and Optimization in Industry, Science and Government,” Inaugural Meeting of the Enterprise Simulation and Optimization Laboratory, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee June 2007.

Invited Presentation: “Innovations and Practical Advances in Metaheuristics,” Metaheuristics International Meeting (MIC2007), Montreal, Canada, October 2007.

Invited Presentation: “Models and Applications of Simulation Optimization,”  INFORMS Workshop on Applied Optimization, INFORMS National Meeting, Seattle, Washington, November 2007 (with G. Kochenberger).

Invited Presentation: “Adaptive Search Methods for Ordering Decisions in Multi-stage Supply Chains,” 19^th Annual Conference of the Production and Operations Management Society, La Jolla, California, May 2008 (with S. Kumar, K. Stecke and T. Schmidt)

Invited Presentation: “Global Optimization Methods,” Colloquium on Applied Mathematics, University of Paris XXII, Paris, France, October 2008

Invited Presentation: “Simulation Optimization and Agent Based Models,” U.S. Army Research Office, Raleigh, N.C., November 2008 (with B. Thengvall)

Invited Presentation: “Nonlinear Quadratic Optimization and Zero-One Programming,” Laboratoire d/Etude et de Recherche en Informatique d’Angers (LERIA), Universite d’Angers,

Angers, France December 2008.

Invited Presentation: “New Methods for Binary Quadratic Optimization,” International Meeting of the European Operational Research Society, EURO 2009, Bonn, Germany, July 2009.

Invited Presentation: “Neighborhood Structures and Improved Strategies for their Exploitation,” Metaheuristic International Meeting, MIC 2009, Hamburg, Germany, July 2009.

Invited Presentation: “Optimization and Analysis of Agent-based Models,” 77th MORS Symposium, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, August 2009 (with B. Thengvall)

Invited Presentation: “A Framework for the Optimization and Analysis of Agent-based Models,” Winter Simulation Conference, Austin, Texas, December 2009 (with B. Thengvall)

Conference Co-Chair: Special Conference On Methods and Applications of Metaheuristics, School of Business, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, December 2009

Invited Keynote Presentation: “Simulation Optimization: New Advances for Real World Optimization,” Special Conference On Methods and Applications of Metaheuristics, School of Business, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, December 2009 (with G. Kochenberger).

Invited Presentation: “Solving Large max cut problems using tabu search,” INFORMS National Meeting, Austin, Texas, November 2010 (with G. Kochenberger).

Invited Presentation: “Impacts of Tabu Search and its Offspring,” INFORMS National Meeting, Austin, Texas, November 2010.

Program Committee: Metaheuristics International Meeting, MIC2011, Udine, Italy, July 2011.

Chaired Session Titled "Metaheuristics for Quadratic Binary Programs," Metaheuristics International Meeting, MIC2011, Udine, Italy, July 2011.

Invited Presentation:  “Cardinality constrained quadratic binary programming,” Metaheuristics International Meeting, MIC2011, Udine, Italy, July 2011 (with G. Kochenberger and J. K. Hao)

Invited Presentation: “Adaptive Memory Projection Method for Binary Combinatorial Optimization,” Metaheuristics International Meeting, MIC2011, Udine, Italy, July 2011 (with P. Greistorfer)

Invited session co-chair, “Advances in Simulation and Optimization, Production and Operations

            Management Society (POMS) National meeting, Denver, June 2013

Steering Committee, Metaheuristics International Conference, Singapore, August 2013

Keynote speaker and Best Paper award committee, Metaheuristics International Conference,

            Singapore, August 2013