Welcome

• Optimization and operational research
• Combinatorial, mathematical, and multiobjective optimization
• Heuristics and metaheuristics
• Metasimulation and machine learning
  • Big data analytics and decision making
  • Interactions between optimization, simulation and machine learning
• Applications
  • Humanitarian and industrial applications, business intelligence and analytics

• FSA, Ulaval: [→ FSA.Ulaval]

• Linkedin: [→ Linkedin]

• Academia: [→ Academia]
• Google Scholar: [→ Google Scholar]
• Research Gate: [→ Research Gate]
• Semantic Scholar: [→ Semantic Scholar]
• ORCID: [→ ORCID]

Current position

Associate professor at the Department of Operations and Decision Systems of Université Laval [→ OSD.ULaval]

Research projects, current students and former students

At this time, this page lists a total of 22 (selected) projects I supervised and a total of 15 (selected) projects I cosupervised. Please note that I chose to exclude all projects prior to 2018. Of course, many of these projects are in collaboration with other researchers (some of the research groups I am or have been part of are listed in Section Related laboratories and research groups ).

By default, I only list the title of the project along with the diploma and completion dates in order to preserve the privacy of my students.

To my students: If you would like to have your name listed along with your project title, please contact me.

Last update: September 2023.

Supervision

Ph.D.

Intelligent decision support system for search and rescue [Système intelligent d’aide à la décision pour la recherche et sauvetage]
Amirhossein Esmaeilpour (Ph.D. in Operations Research, F2023 – …)

Successive optimizations in search and rescue [Optimisations successives en recherche sauvetage]
Ahmed Benader (Ph.D. in Operations Research, F2023 – …)

Data-driven mathematical modeling for search and rescue operations [Modélisation mathématique basée sur les données pour les opérations de recherche et sauvetage]
Saeid Abbasiparizi (Ph.D. in Operations Research, W2022 – …)

M.Sc. with master’s thesis

Reinforcement learning and combinatorial optimization for search and rescue coverage trajectories [Apprentissage par renforcement pour la planification des trajectoires de couverture de recherche et de sauvetage]
Dominik Richard (M.Sc. in Computer Science, F2023 – …)

Machine Learning for Industry 4.0 Applications [Apprentissage automatique pour l’industrie 4.0]
Tom Picherit (M.Sc. in Computer Science, W2022 – …)

Artificial intelligence and operations research to improve a decision support system for maritime search and rescue [L’intelligence artificielle et la recherche opérationnelle pour améliorer un système d’aide à la décision pour la recherche et le sauvetage maritime]
Thomas Laperrière-Robillard (M.Sc. in Operations Research, W2022 – …)

MBA and M.Sc. with report/essay

Data-Driven Corruption Detection [Détection de la corruption basée sur les données]
Louis-Alexis Pelletier Dubé (MBA in Business Analytics, F2020 – … (part-time))

On a data-driven warm start procedure to speedup solvers for optimal route recommendations [Étude d’une approche de démarrage à chaud basée sur les données de résolution pour l’accélération du processus de recommandation d’itinéraires optimaux par un solveur]
Ahmed Benader (MBA in Business Analytics, S2021–W2022 (part-time))

Using neural networks to estimate effort in analyzing software projects to improve project success [Utilisation de réseaux de neurones pour estimer l’effort d’analyse des projets logiciels afin d’améliorer la réussite des projets]
Antonio Collante Caro (MBA in Business Analytics, S2021)

Exploration of an automated data-driven approach to select starting solutions to improve optimal route planning [Exploration d’une approche automatisée basée sur les données visant à choisir les solutions de départ pour améliorer la planification d’itinéraires optimaux]
Name withheld (MBA in Business Analytics, S2020–W2021 (part-time))

Predicting Marginal Values for Real Estate Buyers [Prédiction de la valeur marginale des acheteurs de propriétés]
Name withheld (MBA in Business Analytics, F2019)

Human Resources Analytics: Identifying Information Needs [Analytique en ressources humaines: Identification des besoins en information]
Name withheld (MBA in Business Analytics, F2019)

Forecasting pharmaceutical retail demand [Prévision de la demande pharmaceutique au détail]
Kevin Vachon (MBA in Business Analytics, S2019)

Supervised Learning for Maritime Search Operations Evaluation [Apprentissage supervisé pour l’évaluation d’opérations maritimes de recherche]
Thomas Laperrière-Robillard (MBA in Business Analytics, W2019–S2019 (part-time))

A Study of Thaw Period Forecasting in the Pulp and Paper Industry Context [Une étude de la prévision de la période de dégel dans le contexte de l’industrie papetière]
Name withheld (M.Sc. in Logistics and Analytics, 2018–2019)

Research interns

Machine Learning Approach for Coverage Problems Preprocessing [Apprentissage automatique pour le prétraitement des problèmes de couvertures]
Raghusrinivasan Jayaprakash Venkatesan (MITACS Globalink) (Research Internship, Bachelor, S2023)

Reinforcement Learning for Search and Rescue Coverage Path Planning [Apprentissage par renforcement pour la planification des trajectoires de couverture de recherche et de sauvetage]
Dominik Richard (USRA – NSERC) (Research Internship, Bachelor, S2023)

Modeling and Optimization for Search Operations – The Optimal Searcher Path Problem and its Variants [Modélisation et optimisation pour les opérations de recherche – Le problème du chemin optimal du chercheur et ses variantes]
Eya Nagazi (MITACS Globalink) (Research Internship, Bachelor, S2022)

Experiments With a Machine Learning Approach for Coverage Problems Preprocessing [Expérimentations avec une approche d’apprentissage automatique pour le prétraitement des problèmes de couvertures]
Samayan Bhattacharya (MITACS Globalink) (Research Internship, Bachelor, S2022)

Leveraging Neural Networks for Search and Rescue Coverage Path Planning [Tirer parti des réseaux de neurones pour la planification des chemins de couverture de recherche et de sauvetage]
Dominik Richard (USRA – NSERC) (Research Internship, Bachelor, S2022)

A Machine Learning Approach to Optimization Problems Processing for Surveillance and Search Operations [Une approche d’apprentissage automatique pour le traitement des problèmes d’optimisation pour les opérations de surveillance et de recherche]
Vedant Bahel (MITACS Globalink) (Research Internship, Bachelor, S2021)

Spatial Clustering and Possibility Areas for Maritime Search and Rescue Operations Optimization [Regroupement spatial et aire de possibilité pour l’optimisation d’opérations de recherche et sauvetage maritime]
Vitaliy Kinakh (MITACS Globalink) (Research Internship, Bachelor, S2019)

Cosupervision

Ph.D.

Municipal Asset Management [Gestion des actifs municipaux]
Name withheld (Ph.D. in Operations Research, W2024 – …)

Manufacturing process control framework 4.0 via machine learning, simulation and optimization [Cadre de contrôle de processus manufacturiers 4.0 via apprentissage automatique, simulation et optimisation]
Jean-Thomas Sexton (Ph.D. in Computer Science, W2023 – …)

M.Sc. with master’s thesis

Modeling and analysis of the control process of a robotic welding cell and traceability [Modélisation et analyse du processus de pilotage d’une cellule robotisée de soudage et traçabilité]
Kimia Payami (M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering, F2022 – …)

Reinforcement learning for intelligent wood dryer control [Apprentissage par renforcement pour un contrôle intelligent du séchoir à bois]
François-Alexandre Tremblay (M.Sc. in Computer Science, F2020–W2023)

Smart planer control using a machine learning approach [Contrôle d’une raboteuse intelligente par une approche d’apprentissage automatique]
Jean-Thomas Sexton (M.Sc. in Computer Science, F2020–W2023)

Data-Driven Scheduling for a Robotized Welder [Ordonnancement basé sur les données pour une soudeuse robotisée]
Aminata Koné (M.Sc. in Operations Research, S2020–F2022)

Deep learning for sawmill output prediction [Apprentissage profond pour la prédiction de la sortie d’une usine de sciage]
Vincent Martineau (M.Sc. in Computer Science, W2020–S2022)

MBA and M.Sc. with report/essay

Pricing in a Competitive Market Using Data Science [Fixation des prix dans un marché compétitif en utilisant les techniques des sciences des données]
Abdelghani Bouaddi (MBA in Business Analytics, S2021)

Adaptive predictive models for real-time decision support [Modèles prédictifs adaptatifs pour l’aide à la décision en temps réel]
Brice Pegwendé Nikiema (MBA in Business Analytics, S2021)

Development of a dashboard using a predictive model for strategic decision support [Développement d’un tableau de bord utilisant un modèle prédictif pour l’aide à la décision stratégique]
Mohamed Ousmane Adamou (MBA in Business Analytics, W2021)

A supervised learning-based feedback loop for adjusting the parameters of a smart planer [Une boucle de rétroaction basée sur l’apprentissage supervisé pour l’ajustement des paramètres d’une raboteuse intelligente]
Name withheld (M.Sc. in Information Technology, Université TÉLUQ, W2020–W2021)

An application of supervised learning to supply chain simulation in a serious game [Une application de l’apprentissage supervisé à la simulation de chaîne d’approvisionnement dans les jeux sérieux]
Name withheld (M.Sc. in Supply Chain Management, W2020)

Learning Pricing Strategies from Manufacturing-Based Market Simulations [Apprendre des stratégies de fixation de prix à partir de simulations de marché manufacturier]
Name withheld (MBA in Business Analytics, S2020)

Research interns

Smart planer control using a machine learning approach [Contrôle d’une raboteuse intelligente par une approche d’apprentissage automatique]
Jean-Thomas Sexton (Bachelor, S2020)

Data Acquisition for a Planing Line with Continuous Re-Drying [Acquisition de données pour une ligne de rabotage avec reséchage en continu]
Name withheld (Bachelor, S2019)

Teaching

Here is a list of some of the courses I taught over the years:

• Business Analytics (MQT-6021): Automne 2019, ’20, ’21, ’22, ’23 [→ MQT-6021]
• Modeling and Decision Support (MQT-1101): Winter 2018, ’19; Fall 2019, ’20, ’21(R), ’22(R) ’23(R) [→ MQT-1101]
• Algorithms Design and Implementation (MQT-7014): Winter 2021, ’22 [→ MQT-7014]
• Introduction to Business Analytics (MQT-3000): Winter 2022, ’23 [→ MQT-3000]
• Decision Support Systems (DSS) Development (MQT-2100): Winter 2020, ’21, ’22, ’23 [→ MQT-2100]
• Probability and Statistics (MQT-1102): Winter 2020 [→ MQT-1102]
• Object-Oriented Analysis and Design (IFT-2007): Fall 2015

For a given semester, the (R) suffix indicates that I had the responsibility for the course, but did not teach it.

Services to the research community

Below, you will find a list of some of my services to the scientific community.

Organizational committee member

2019
Co-chair of the 18th Workshop on Constraint Modelling and Reformulation (ModRef 2019)

2016–2017
21st Conference of the International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS 2017)

2014
International Meeting of the European Working Group in Multiple Criteria Decision Aid (EWG-MCDA 2014)

Program committee member

2022
37th AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI 2023), 4 reviews

2021
36th AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI 2022), 6 reviews
20th Workshop on Constraint Modelling and Reformulation (ModRef 2021), 1 review

2020
29th International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI 2020), 2 reviews
19th Workshop on Constraint Modelling and Reformulation (ModRef 2020), 2 reviews

2019
28th International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI 2019), 4 reviews
18th Workshop on Constraint Modelling and Reformulation (ModRef 2019), 3 reviews

2018
27th International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI 2018), 4 reviews
3rd Planning, Search, and Optimization (PlanSOpt 2018, ICAPS workshop), 1 review

2017
32th AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI 2018), 6 reviews
26th International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI 2017), 6 reviews

2016
25th International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI 2016), 5 reviews

Reviewer for scientific journals

2023
IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation, 1 review
International Journal of Production Research (IJPR), 1 review

2021
International Journal of Production Economics (IJPE), 2 reviews

2020
International Journal of Production Economics (IJPE), 2 reviews

2018
European Journal of Operational Research (EJOR), 1 review

2017
Constraints, 2 reviews
IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation & Measurement, 2 reviews

2016
Constraints, 1 review

2015
European Journal of Operational Research (EJOR), 2 reviews

2014
Artificial Intelligence Journal (AIJ), 1 review
Canadian Aeronautics and Space Journal (CASJ), 1 review

2013
Artificial Intelligence Journal (AIJ), 1 review

2011
European Journal of Operational Research (EJOR), 1 review

Reviewer for scientific conferences with peer-reviewed publications

2023
22nd World Congress of the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC WC 2023), 1 review

2015
30th AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI 2016), 1 review
21st International Conference on Principles and Practice of Constraint Programming (CP 2015), 1 review

2014
11th International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (ISCRAM 2014), 2 reviews

2013
IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2013), 1 review

2012
18th International Conference on Principles and Practice of Constraint Programming (CP 2012), 1 review

2011
11th IEEE International Conference on Control & Automation (ICCA 2011), 1 review
22n International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI 2011), 1 review

Related links

For each category, the links are in alphabetical order.

Related laboratories and research groups

• CERMID: Centre de recherche en modélisation, information et décision [→ CERMID]
• CERPRO: Centre de recherche sur les projets en contexte public [→ CERPRO]
• CRDM: Centre de recherche en données massives de l’Université Laval [→ CRDM]
• CRISI: Consortium de Recherche en Ingénierie des Systèmes Industriels 4.0 [→ CRISI]
• FORAC Research Consortium [→ FORAC]
• GRAAL: Machine Learning Research @ Laval University / Groupe de Recherche en Apprentissage Automatique de Laval [→ GRAAL]
• PPC: Constraint programming lab / Laboratoire de programmation par contraintes [→ PPC]
• MONADE: Modelling and Numerical Optimization for Decision Aid / Modélisation et optimisation numérique pour l’aide à la décision [→ MONADE]
• SYRAD: Systèmes d’aide à la décision [→ SYRAD]
• TIDEL: Toronto Intelligent Decision Engineering Laboratory [→ TIDEL]

Canadian associations and organizations

• CAIAC: Canadian Artificial Intelligence Association / Association pour l’intelligence artificielle au Canada [→ CAIAC]
• Calcul Québec [→ CQ]
• Compute Canada / Calcul Canada [→ CC]
  • Compute Canada documentation [→ CC wiki]
• CORS / SCRO: Canadian Operational Research Society / Société canadienne de recherche opérationnelle [→ CORS-SCRO]
• FRQNT: Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies [→ FRQNT]
• MITACS: Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems [→ MITACS]
• NSERC / CRSNG: Nature Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada / Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada [→ CRSNG]

International associations and organizations

• ACP: Association for Constraint Programming [→ ACP]
• IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers [→ IEEE]
• IFORS: International Federation of Operational Research Societies [→ IFORS]

Other

Université Laval [→ ULaval French] [→ ULaval English]

• Département d’informatique et de génie logiciel (Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering) [→ IFT.ULaval]
• Département d’opérations et de systèmes de décision (Department of Operations and Decision Systems) [→ OSD.ULaval]
• Faculty of Business Administration [→ FSA.ULaval French] [→ FSA.ULaval English]
• Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies [→ FESP.ULaval French] [→ FESP.ULaval English]

University of Toronto [→ UToronto]

• Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering [→ MIE.UToronto]