Operations Research and Analytics
Advancing the design of complex systems to ensure safe, effective and reliable performance.
Design, prototype, test, break, improve. That’s the tried-and-true engineering model — for things like cars and planes. But some systems are so big and complex — a series of interdependent hydroelectric dams or miles of highway full of fast-moving autonomous cars, for example — that prototypes are not practical or cost effective. Typical challenges our Operations Research and Analytics researchers take on involve systems within systems that must work together seamlessly. Our researchers use the latest tools in systems modeling and data analytics, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, optimization, stochastic processes, and discrete-event and agent-based simulation.
Our faculty are experts in developing tools that simulate real-world infrastructure or applications to understand how component parts integrate to perform as a whole, as well as how to analyze and continually improve performance in real time once a system is operational. Working with such partners as the Port of Virginia and the Department of Defense, our faculty discover innovative ways to improve the structures of society that profoundly affect our economic and social well-being, from the manufacture and distribution of goods and services to national security.
Operations Research and Analytics Faculty
Negin Alemazkoor
Reid Bailey
Reid Bailey is an engineering educator, designer, and scholar focused on engineering design education, systems thinking and analysis, & sustainability.
Laura Barnes
Laura Barnes is a professor in the Department of Systems and Information Engineering. She is the Associate Director of Link Lab and directs the Sensing Systems for Health Lab which focuses on designing impactful, technology-enabled solutions for improving health and well-being.
Madhur Behl
Dr. Madhur Behl is an associate professor in the departments of Computer Science, and Systems and Information Engineering.
He conducts research in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, and is the team principal of UVA's Cavalier Autonomous Racing team
Donald E. Brown
Dr. Brown is Founding Director of the Data Science Institute, the W.S. Calcott Professor in the Systems and Information Engineering Department and Co-Director of the Translational Health Institute of Virginia, University of Virginia.
Qing (Cindy) Chang
Seokhyun Chung
Roman Krzysztofowicz
James H. Lambert
Henning S. Mortveit
Henning Mortveit is an associate professor in the Biocomplexity Institute Initiative. He received his doctorate in mathematics from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in 2000. Before joining ESE he held positions at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and at Virginia Tech.
B. Brian Park
Brian Park is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Systems and Information Engineering at the University of Virginia. His research focuses on improving the efficiency of surface transportation systems via connected automated vehicle controls, traffic operations and management strategies.
Michael D. Porter
Julianne Quinn
Quinn's research focuses on optimization and simulation methods used to inform the design and management of water resources systems with the goals of protecting people from nature (floods and droughts), and nature from people (pollution and consumption). She is interested in how advanced sensing and forecasting techniques inform this optimization.
In Memoriam: William T. Scherer
William T. Scherer is a super expert in systems engineering, stochastic control, and business analytics. Professor Scherer has served on the University of Virginia Systems Engineering Program faculty since 1986. He also consults with numerous organizations on the topics of systems thinking and business analytics applied to disparate organizations.
Majid Shafiee-Jood
Majid Shafiee-Jood is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Systems and Information Engineering at the University of Virginia.