Halit Uster

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

Associate Professor

Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE)

Texas A&M University (TAMU)

Academic Appointments

2008-Present Associate Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering, TAMU

2009-2010 Visiting Eshbach Scholar, IEMS Department, Northwestern University

2002–2008 Assistant Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering, TAMU

2000–2002 Visiting Assistant Professor, Information and Operations Management, TAMU

1999–2000 Visiting Assistant Professor, Industrial Engineering, U of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Publications

• Lin, H. and Uster, H., “Exact and Heuristic Algorithms for Data-Gathering Cluster-Based Wireless Sensor Network Design Problem,” forthcoming in IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, 2013.
• Kewcharoenwong, P. and Uster, H., “Benders Decomposition Algorithms for the Fixed-Charge Relay Network Design in Telecommunications,” forthcoming in Telecommunication Systems, 2013.
• Karakayali, I., Akcali, E., Cetinkaya, S., and Uster, H. “Capacitated Replenishment and Disposal Planning for Multiple Products with Resalable Returns,” Annals of Operations Research, Vol. 203/1, pp. 325-350, 2013.
• Keskin, B. B. and Uster, H., “Production/Distribution System Design with Inventory Considerations,” Naval Research Logistics, Vol. 59/2, pp. 172-195, 2012.
• Uster, H. and Kewcharoenwong, P., “Strategic Design and Analysis of a Relay Network in Truckload Transportation,” Transportation Science, Vol. 45/4, pp. 505-523, 2011.
• Tores-Soto, J. E. and Uster, H., “Dynamic Demand Capacitated Facility Location Problems with and without Relocation,” International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 49/13, pp. 3979-4005, 2011.
• Uster, H. and Agrahari, H., “A Benders Decomposition Approach for a Distribution Network Design Problem with Consolidation and Capacity Considerations,” Operations Research Letters, Vol. 39/2, pp. 138-143, 2011.
• Uster, H. and Lin, H., “Integrated Topology Control and Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks for Prolonged Network Lifetime,” Ad Hoc Networks, Vol. 9/5, pp. 835-851, 2011.
• Easwaran, G. and Uster, H., “A Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Design Problem with Integrated Forward and Reverse Channel Decisions,” IIE Transactions, Vol. 42/11, pp. 779-792, 2010. (Featured in the IE Magazine in October 2010.)
• Keskin, B. B., Uster, H., and Cetinkaya, S., “Integration of Strategic and Tactical Decisions for Vendor Selection under Capacity Constraints,” Computers and Operations Research, Vol. 37, pp. 2182-2191, 2010.
• Uster, H. and Agrahari, H., “An Integrated Load-Planning Problem with Intermediate Consolidated Truckload Assignments,” IIE Transactions, Vol. 42/7, pp. 490-513, 2010.
• Uster, H. and Kumar, S.K.S., “Algorithms for the Design of Network Topologies with Balanced Disjoint Rings,” Journal of Heuristics, Vol. 16/1, pp. 37-63, 2010.
• Cetinkaya, S., Uster, H., Easwaran, G., and Keskin, B. B., “An Integrated Outbound Logistics Model for Frito-Lay: Coordinating Aggregate Level Production and Distribution Decisions,” Interfaces, Vol. 39, pp. 460-475, 2009 (Finalist for The Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in Operations Research, INFORMS, 2008).
• Easwaran, G. and Uster, H., “Tabu Search and Benders Decomposition Approaches for a Capacitated Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Design Problem,” Transportation Science, Vol. 43/3, pp. 301-320, 2009.
• Akcali, E., Cetinkaya, S. and Uster, H., “Network Design for Reverse and Closed-Loop Supply Chains: An Annotated Bibliography of Models and Solution Approaches,” Networks, Vol. 53/3, pp. 231-248, 2009.
• Uster, H., Keskin, B. B. and Cetinkaya, S., “Integrated Warehouse Location and Inventory Decisions in a Three-Tier Distribution System,” IIE Transactions, Vol. 40/8, pp. 718-732, 2008. (Featured in the IE Magazine in August 2008.)
• Uster, H., Easwaran, G., Akcali, E. and Cetinkaya, S., “Benders Decomposition with Alternative Multiple Cuts for a Multi-Product Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Design Model,” Naval Research Logistics, Vol. 54/8, pp. 890-907, 2007.
• Keskin, B. B. and Uster, H., “Meta-heuristic Approaches with Memory and Evolution for Multi-Product Production/Distribution System Design Problem,” European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 182/2, pp. 663-682, 2007.
• Uster, H. and Maheshwari, N., “Strategic Network Design for Multi-Zone Truckload Shipments,” IIE Transactions, Vol. 39/2, pp. 177-189, 2007.
• Keskin, B. B. and Uster, H., “A Scatter Search-based Heuristic to Locate Capacitated Transshipment Points,” Computers and Operations Research, Vol. 34/10, pp. 3112-3125, 2007.
• Uster, H. and Love, R. F., “Formulation of Confidence Intervals for Estimated Actual Distances,” European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 151/3, pp. 586-601, 2003.
• Uster, H. and Love, R. F., “Duality in Constrained Multi-Facility Location Models,” Naval Research Logistics, Vol. 49/4, pp. 410-421, 2002.
• Uster, H. and Love, R. F., “A Generalization of the Rectangular Bounding Method for Continuous Location Models,” Computers and Mathematics with Applications, Vol. 4/1-2, pp. 181-191, 2002.
• Uster, H. and Love, R. F., “Application of Weighted Sum of Order p to Distance Estimation,” IIE Transactions, Vol. 33/8, pp. 675-684, 2001.
• Uster, H. and Love, R. F., “On the Directional Bias of the L_bp-norm,” European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 128/3, pp. 664-673, 2001.
• Love, R. F. and Uster, H., “A Statistical Comparison of Three Goodness-of-Fit Criteria Used in Modeling Distances,” Journal of Applied Mathematics and Decision Sciences, Vol. 5/4, pp.235-251, 2001.
• Uster, H. and Love, R. F., “The Convergence of the Weiszfeld's Algorithm,” Computers and Mathematics with Applications, Vol. 40/5, pp. 443-451, 2000.

Grants

• Uster, H. (TAMU PI), J.D. Hong (SCSU PI), Y. Xie (SCSU Co-PI), and H. Selassie (SCSU Co-PI), “Optimization and Simulation of Integrated Biomass and Bio-energy Logistics Networks,” US Department of Agriculture, 2011-2014, $670,433 (total), $171,012 (TAMU).
• Uster, H. (PI), “Sensors: Models and Algorithms for Efficient Design and Operation of Wireless Sensor Networks,” National Science Foundation (CMMI 0428831), 2005-2008, $160,000.

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

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

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

Invited Seminars

• Middle East Technical University (METU), Industrial Engineering, Ankara, Turkey, May 2013.
• Bilkent University, Industrial Engineering, Ankara, Turkey, May 2013.
• Bogazici University, Industrial Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey, April 2013.
• University of Houston, Industrial Engineering, November 2012.
• Sabanci University, Manufacturing Systems/Industrial Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey, August 2012.
• Koc University, Industrial Engineering, Istanbul, Turkey, July 2012.
• Erasmus University, Rotterdam School of Management, The Netherlands, August 2011.
• Texas A&M University, ISE, Parsons Seminar Series, September 2010.
• University of Texas, Operations Research/Industrial Engineering, March 2010.
• University of Michigan, Industrial and Operations Engineering, March 2010.
• Northwestern University, Transportation Center, February 2010.
• Northwestern University, Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, October 2009.
• Monterrey Tech, Toluca, MX, Industrial Engineering, November 2006.

Student Advising

PhD Students

• Gokhan Memisoglu, in progress.
• Jyotirmoy Dalal, in progress.
• Sung Ook Hwang, in progress.
• Ahmed Marzouk (co-advised with E. Moreno-Centeno)
• Xinghua Wang (co-advised J. Yates), “Discrete Optimization and Agent-based Simulation for Regional Evacuation Network Design Problem,” December 2012.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MSc Students (Thesis or Project)

• Sebnem Dilaveroglu, “Optimization for Design and Operation of Natural Gas Transmission Networks,” December 2012. Currently with BOTAS Petroleum Pipeline Corporation, Ankara, Turkey.
• Sarath K. Sasi Kumar, “Thesis Title: A Multi-exchange Heuristic for Formation of Balanced Disjoint Rings,” August 2005. Currently with Aramark as OR Analyst.
• Nimish Maheshwari, “Thesis Title: A Network Design Model for Multi-zone Truckload Shipments,” December 2004. Currently with ZS Associates as OR Consultant.
• Vishal V. Karnik, “Project Title: Site Selection Problem with Location and Delocation of Facilities,” December 2004. Currently with Overstock.com as Pricing Strategist.
• Stefan Pissors, “Project Title: An Empirical Study on the Goodness-of-fit Criteria Used in Predicting Road Network Distances,” May 2000.

Undergraduate Students

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

Teaching

Industrial and Systems Engineering, TAMU

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

Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, Northwestern University

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

Information and Operations Management, TAMU

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

Industrial Engineering, University of Alabama

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

Selected Service and Outreach

• Panel Organizer, “How to Undertake Collaborative Research,” INFORMS Conference, Phoenix, AZ, 2012.
• Seminar Series Organizer, Industrial and Systems Engineering Seminar Series in conjunction with the ADVANCE Center, TAMU, Fall 2012.
• Associate Editor, IIE Transactions, 2005 – 2010.
• Member, INFORMS Subdivisions Council, 2007 - 2009.
• General Chair, INFORMS Southwest Regional Conference, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, April, 2008.
• Chair, UPS-SOLA Bi-Annual Dissertation Award Committee (SOLA: INFORMS Section on Location Analysis), 2007.
• Cluster Co-Chair, INFORMS sessions sponsored by the Telecommunications Section. Seattle, WA, 2007 and Washington DC, 2008.
• Member, Organizing Committee of the New Faculty Colloquium at IERC, Orlando, FL, 2006.
• Session Organizer
• Network Design Applications in Supply Chains, INFORMS Conference, Austin, TX, 2010.
• Design Issues in Wireless Sensor Networks, INFORMS Conference, Seattle, WA, 2007.
• Integrated Models for Production/Distribution System Design, IERC, Atlanta, GA, 2005.
• Optimization in Closed-Loop Supply Chains (co-organized with E. Akcali), INFORMS Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, 2006.
• Faculty Advisor, INFORMS Texas A&M Student Chapter, 2004 (inception) – 2008 and 2011-2012. The chapter won the INFORMS Summa Cum Laude awards in 2006, 2008 and Magna Cum Laude awards in 2007, 2011.
• ABET Course Coordinator, ISEN 416 - Facility Layout, Location and Material Handling, since 2005.
• Departmental Committees
• Member, ISEN Department Head Search Committee, 2011-2012
• Chair, Ph.D. Student Career Development Committee, 2008-2009.
• Member, Computer Committee, 2008-2009, 2010-2011.
• Member, Ph.D. Student Career Development Committee, 2007-2008, 2010-2011.
• Member, Graduate Committee, 2006-2007, 2011-2012.
• Member, Faculty Search Committee, 2005-2006.
• Member, Awards Committee, 2004-2005.
• Member, Undergraduate Committee, 2002-2005, 2012-2013.
• Faculty Participant, Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) program, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, Summer 2006. Mentorship to teachers Elena Pascual (Eisenhower 9th Grade School, Houston, TX) and Annette Coronado (San Diego High School, San Diego, TX).
• Referee : Annals of Operations Research, Applied Mathematics and Computation, Computers and Industrial Engineering, Computers and Operations Research, Discrete Applied Mathematics, EURO Journal on Transportation and Logistics, European Journal of Operational Research, IEEE GLOBECOM 2011 - Ad-hoc and Sensor Networking Symposium, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, IIE Transactions: Scheduling and Logistics, Interfaces, International Journal of Industrial Engineering, International Journal of Production Research, International Transactions of Operations Research, INFORMS Journal on Computing, Journal of Heuristics, Journal of the Operational Research Society, Manufacturing and Services Operations Management (M&SOM), Mathematical Methods of OR, Mathematical Programming, Naval Research Logistics, Omega, Production and Operations Management, Sensors, Telecommunication Systems, Transportation Research-Part E, and Transportation Science.
• Participant, National Science Foundation Review Panels, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2011.

Selected Awards

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

Professional Affiliations

• INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences)
• IIE (Institute of Industrial Engineering)
• ISA (Industry Studies Association)