SysOptiMaL People
Come and join the cutting-edge world of research with Dr. Büyüktahtakιn Toy and the Systems Optimization and Machine Learning Lab (SysOptiMaL) team. We are solving real-world problems that need to be optimized quickly through advancing multi-stage stochastic combinatorial optimization with a combination of theory and algorithms. Our ongoing exploration delves into deep machine learning and AI algorithms, predicting optimal solutions for optimization problems under uncertainty. At SysOptiMaL, we tackle real-world challenges in security, healthcare, agriculture, environment, and more. We use data analytics, AI, and optimization techniques to create strategies that boost efficiency and sustainability under limited resources.
Our lab has earned prestigious funding with a total of $2.5M from organizations such as the NSF CAREER Award, NSF, USDA, US Forest Service, and the U.S. Office of Naval Research. If you are passionate about advancing research, we invite you to apply to Virginia Tech's ISE Ph.D. program. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. Esra Buyuktahtakin Toy at esratoy@vt.edu with your CV and application materials. Explore the exciting opportunity of becoming a Graduate Assistant with us. Let's perform groundbreaking research, contribute to the scientific community by writing influential papers, and shape the future together at SysOptiMaL!
SysOptiMaL Faculty Advisor
Esra Büyüktahtakιn Toy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, esratoy@vt.edu
Current Ph.D. Students
Hyunwoo Lee
Sept 2022–Present
Optimization Approaches to AIS Management (Co-advised with Dr. Robert Hildebrand)
Kimiya Mohammadi-Jozani
August 2023–Present
Machine Learning and Optimization Algorithms to Fair Healthcare Resoruces Allocation
Joshua Cooper
August 2023–Present
Interface of AI-Optimization and TransfORmers
Minseo Lee
August 2024–Present
MIPs and MINLPs Involving AI and Deep Learners
Kaiyu Yan
August 2024–Present
AI integrated Optimization for Solutions to Environmental Susytainability
Nipun Galande
January 2025–Present
AI and Optimization Interface for Supply Chain Logistics and National Security Problems
Seung Jin Choi
January 2025–Present
ML and Reinforcement Learning to Production Planning and Surveillance Problems
Sushyanth Sridhar
January 2025–Present
Integrated AI-Optimization Models and Algortihms for Dengue Surveillance and Control (Co-advised with Dr. Michael Robert)
Current M.S. and Undergraduate Students
Avinashh Kumar
M.S. Student
VT
May 2023–Present
Research Topic: ML+Optimization Approaches
Ryan Chapman
U.G. Student
VT
Aug 2024–Present
Research Topic: Game Theory
Former PhD Students
Dr. Halil Cobuloglu
WSU
Jan 2012–May 2015
Dissertation Title: Optimization Approaches for the Economic and Environmental Analysis of Biomass, Biofuel, and Food Production
Current Position: Executive director & creator of analytics solutions, CVS. Formerly Management Consulting Professional at McKinsey & Company, Boston, MA
Dr. Sabah Bushaj
NJIT
Sept 2018–Aug 2021
Dissertation Title: Multi-Stage Stochastic Optimization and Reinforced Learning for Forestry Epidemics and Disease Control Planning
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Data Analytics, State University of New York, Plattsburgh, NY, 2021
Dr. Xuecheng Yin
NJIT
Sept 2018–Aug 2021
Dissertation Title: Stochastic Programming Approaches for Epidemics Control and Logistics Planning
Current Position: Tenure-track Assistant Professor at Spears School of Business of Oklahoma State University, 2023
Dr. Eyyub Kibis
WSU
Aug 2013–May 2017
Dissertation Title: Optimization Approaches to Controlling Biological Invasions and Cancer
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Dr. Dogacan Yilmaz
Sept 2019–December 2022
Integrated Optimization and Machine Learning Approaches
Current Position: Senior Data Scientist @ CVS Health
Dr. Chen Chen
Sep 2017–August 2022
Optimizing Incentives for Systems with Heterogeneous Agents (Co-advised with Dr. Wenbo Cai)
Current Position: Senior Data Scientist @ Celtic
Dr. Elson Cibaku
Sept 2021–May 2025
Machine Learning and Optimization for Intelligent Decision Making
Current Position: TBD
Dr. Zhuo Feng
August 2008– May 2012
Research Topic: Spatial and Dynamic Optimization of Controlling Invasive Species with Applications to Buffelgrass in Arizona (This joint work resulted in 4 journal papers)
Current Position: Data Analyst and Scientist, Microsoft, CA
Dr. Emmanuel Des-Bordes
WSU
Aug 2012–Dec 2015
Dissertation Title: Mixed-Integer Optimization Approaches to Resource Allocation Problems with Applications in Healthcare Asset Management and Epidemics
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave, VA
Former Postdoctoral Research Associates
Dr. Sevilay Onal
NJIT
July 2018–2019
Research Project: An Integrated Simulation-Optimization Framework for Controlling Biological Invaders
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois at Springfield
Dr. Ozlem Cosgun
WSU
Aug 2015–2016
Research Topic: Approximate Dynamic Programming Approaches to Research Allocation for HIV Infection Management
Current Position: Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Operations Management at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Former Masters Students
Avinashh Kumar
M.S. Student
VT
August 2022–August 2024
Research Topic: ML+Optimization Approaches
Current Position: Global Network Design Analyst @Rich’s Corporation
Alperen Kantas
WSU
Aug 2012–Dec 2014
MS Thesis Title: Capacitated Lot-Sizing with CO2 Emission Constraints: An Application to Biofuel Production in Kansas
Current Position: Industrial Engineer, Textron, Wichita, Kansas
Ning Liu
WSU
Spring 2012–Dec 2013
MS Thesis Title: Approximate Dynamic Programming Algorithms for Production Planning Problems
Current Position: Industrial Engineer, China
Rajesh Kumar Narasimhan
WSU
Aug 2011 – Aug 2013
MS Thesis Title: Controlling the Invasion of Sericea Lespedeza (Lespedeza Cuneata) with Limited Budgets: Insights from an Optimization Model
Current Position: Continuous Improvement Engineer, Celadon Trucking, Rocky Mount, NC
Mostafa Hasan
WSU
May 2015–Dec 2016
MS Thesis Title: Determining an Effective Treatment Plan for Breast Cancer: A Multi-Criteria Decision Model and Algorithm
Current Position: PhD Student, Wichita State University, Kansas
Former Undergraduate Students
Bhumi Patel
NJIT
Sept 2020–Present
Research Topic: Optimization of Resource Allocation for COVID-19
Current Position: Graduate student at University of Michigan Ann-Arbor
Donald Andrews
NJIT
Jan 2021–Present
Research Topic: Agent-Based Simulation for Fighting Against COVID-19
Current Position: Graduate student and Reimagining Global Sustainability Postgraduate Scholar at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
Eisha Syeda
NJIT
Aug 2022- Present
Tanner Lampe
WSU
2010 - 2014
Publication: İ. E. Büyüktahtakın, E. Kibis, H. I. Cobuloglu, G. R. Houseman, and J. T. Lampe, “An Age-Structured Bio-Economic Model of Invasive Species Management: Insights and Strategies for Optimal Control,” Biological Invasions, 17, 2545–2563, 2015.
Current Position: Application Engineer, Wescon Controls, Wichita, Kansas
