Retrospective optimization methods for smooth stochastic integer programming
Speaker(s)
Professor Bruce Schmeiser, Purdue University
Date
28-09-2009
Time
16:00 p.m. to 17:00 p.m.
Venue
Faculty of Engineering, Seminar Room E1-06-06, NUS
Abstract
Retrospective algorithms solve a sequence of randomly generated problems, with the limiting problem being the problem of interest. We extend such algorithms to consider integer-programming problems with objective functions that are difficult because they are stochastic and easy because they are smooth (rather than combinatorial). An example is to choose
integer reorder points and reorder quantities for an n-item inventory system to maximize expected profit.
Biography
BRUCE SCHMEISER received his Ph.D. from the Georgia Tech's School of Industrial and Systems Engineering in 1975. He holds a B.A in Mathematical Sciences and an M.S. in Industrial and Management Engineering from The University of Iowa. He was a systems engineer with Electronic Data Systems from 1970 until 1972, served on the Operations Research faculty at Southern Methodist University from 1975 until 1979, and has been on the Purdue University IE faculty since 1979.
Professor Schmeiser has participated in the Winter Simulation Conference since 1976. He served as Program Chair in 1983 and chaired the WSC Board 1988-1990.
Professor Schmeiser's research and teaching interests focus on modeling and analysis of stochastic systems, with an emphasis on the probabilistic and statistical aspects of systems simulation.
Professor Schmeiser has received various honors. He is a Fellow of the Institute for Operations Research and the Managmenet Sciences (INFORMS) and the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), and recipient of the 1997 Distinguished Service Award of INFORM's College on Simulation. Professor Schmeiser's teaching excellence has been recognized with the James H. Greene Outstanding Graduate-Educator Award, the A. Alan B. Pritsker Outstanding Undergraduate-Teaching Award, and the Dean Marion B. Scott Award, given by Tau Beta Pi, the National Engineering Honor Society, "An annual award presented to an engineering professor for his or her devotion to encouraging, inspiring, and advising the engineering student body in order that engineering students might grow both academically and professionally."
