Speaker: Willem-Jan van Hoeve, Carnegie Mellon University
Over the last decade, decision diagram-based optimization has emerged as a novel and innovative approach to solving discrete optimization problems. This presentation provides an overview of this methodology, focusing on three computational paradigms: (1) stand-alone decision diagram-based solvers, (2) integration into constraint programming, and (3) integration into linear and integer programming. Applications include graph theoretic problems, scheduling, and vehicle routing. In particular, combining decision diagrams with network flow theory—via a process called `column elimination’—has resolved previously unsolved benchmark instances for problems such as graph multi-coloring, vehicle routing with time windows, and pickup-and-delivery with time windows. These advancements highlight the potential of decision diagram-based optimization as a powerful tool for addressing complex optimization challenges across domains.
About the speaker:
Willem-Jan van Hoeve is the Carnegie Bosch Professor of Operations Research at the Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University. His research focuses on developing new methodologies for mathematical optimization with applications to network design, scheduling, vehicle routing, data mining, and others. He made notable contributions to the areas of constraint and integer programming, and most recently pioneered the field of decision diagrams for optimization. Van Hoeve’s research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, and two Google Faculty Research Awards. He has consulted for a variety of companies including FedEx Ground, Exxon Mobil, PNC Bank, Bosch/Siemens, and Charter Steel, as well as a number of non-profit organizations. Van Hoeve is the recipient of the INFORMS Computing Society Harvey J. Greenberg Research Award, the Tepper School’s MBA Teaching Award (twice) and MSBA Teaching Award, and several best paper awards. His academic service includes the Board of Directors of the INFORMS Computing Society, Chairperson of the INFORMS Student Competition Committee, the Steering Committee of CPAIOR conference series, and the Executive Committee of the Association for Constraint Programming. Van Hoeve is currently Associate Editor of the INFORMS Journal on Computing, Associate Editor of Operations Research, and Associate Editor of Artificial Intelligence.
7 FEBRUARY 2025 WEBINAR RECORDING
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