My Experience at INFORMS ANNUAL MEETING 2024

From October 20 to 23, 2024, I had the opportunity to attend the INFORMS Annual Meeting in Seattle. This event brought together researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders from the field of Operations Research and Management Sciences (ORMS). This was my first time visiting Seattle, and I was captivated by the city's natural beauty and vibrant atmosphere. The Seattle Convention Center, where the conference was held, was a masterpiece in itself—its architecture and design added to the overall experience of the event.

One of the conference's highlights was the career fair, which provided a valuable opportunity to explore job prospects in ORMS-related fields. Companies like American Airlines, United Airlines, and other leading organizations were present, actively recruiting talent. It was inspiring to see how this event connects researchers and professionals with industry opportunities, offering pathways for career growth.

I also had the privilege of presenting my research, "Humanitarian Aid Delivery in Disaster Zones: A Mathematical Model for Collaborative Truck and Drone Logistics." My talk focused on optimizing aid distribution strategies using mathematical modeling to enhance disaster response efficiency. Sharing my work with an audience of experts and receiving insightful feedback was a rewarding experience that deepened my understanding of the field.

Beyond the academic and professional aspects, the conference had some truly memorable moments. The closing night was held at the Museum of Pop Culture, next to the iconic Space Needle. The museum was a fascinating place, rich with exhibits on music, film, and interactive experiences. I particularly enjoyed playing musical instruments and immersing myself in the creative displays. It was a great way to end an intense yet fulfilling conference.

Attending INFORMS 2024 was an enriching experience in many ways—professionally, academically, and personally. I had the chance to reconnect with colleagues from Stevens Institute of Technology, Özyeğin University, and the INFORMS Summer School (AISCORE), and to build new connections with researchers and professionals tackling real-world challenges. These interactions reinforced the importance of collaboration in pushing the boundaries of ORMS research.

Looking back, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this vibrant community. The conference not only expanded my professional network but also inspired me to continue exploring innovative solutions in humanitarian logistics. I look forward to future collaborations and to applying the insights gained from this experience to my ongoing research.

My Experience at AI-SCORE 2024

I am thrilled to announce that I have been accepted to attend the AI-SCORE 2024 Summer School, held from May 27 to June 1 at the University of Maryland in College Park. This prestigious program, known as The Artificial Intelligence School for Computer Science and Operations Research Education, granted me a generous scholarship, providing a unique opportunity to immerse myself in high-level training with top-tier professors.

The AI-SCORE Summer School was conceived as a response to the growing need for cross-disciplinary expertise in Operations Research (OR) and Computer Science (CS). These fields have been converging, with OR's strengths in model-building and CS's capabilities in data-driven methodologies coming together to solve complex, real-world problems. The program aims to train the next generation of researchers to be proficient in both disciplines, encouraging innovative approaches that leverage the best of both worlds.

The program featured a series of keynote lectures, thematic tutorials, and hands-on exercises led by distinguished researchers:

• Keynote Speakers: Profs. Michael Fu (University of Maryland), Kevin Leyton-Brown (University of British Columbia), Tuomas Sandholm (Carnegie Mellon University), and David Shmoys (Cornell University) delivered insightful talks on the integration of OR and AI.
• Modules: The curriculum was divided into two main modules - Fairness and Reinforcement Learning.
  • Fairness Module: Led by Profs. Siddhartha Banerjee (Cornell University) and Aaron Roth (University of Pennsylvania), this module explored topics such as fairness in resource allocation and machine learning.
  • Reinforcement Learning Module: Profs. Vivek Farias (MIT) and Scott Sanner (University of Toronto) guided us through cutting-edge reinforcement learning techniques.

Attending AI-SCORE 2024 was a transformative experience. The intensive schedule included keynote lectures, module tutorials, and hands-on exercises. Throughout the week, I had the chance to interact with and learn from leading experts and fellow participants. These interactions were invaluable, providing insights into the latest research trends and fostering connections with researchers from top universities worldwide.

The AI-SCORE Summer School was more than just an educational program; it was a vibrant community of scholars and professionals. I gained cutting-edge knowledge in Operations Research and Reinforcement Learning, explored new methodologies, and participated in hands-on projects that bridged theory and practice. The experience also provided an excellent platform for networking with some of the brightest minds in the fields of CS and IE (Industrial Engineering).

Reflecting on my time at AI-SCORE 2024, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a prestigious program. The insights gained and connections made will undoubtedly shape my future research and professional endeavors. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the organizers, sponsors, and fellow participants who made this experience unforgettable.

The AI-SCORE 2024 Summer School was an extraordinary experience, providing deep insights into AI and OR, and offering a platform to connect with leading researchers. I am excited to apply the knowledge and connections gained towards my future research endeavors. Thank you to the organizers, sponsors, and participants for making this an unforgettable event.

My Experience at TRB 2023

The TRB 2023 Annual Meeting, held from January 8th to January 12th in Washington D.C., was an incredible experience. The meeting included workshops, committee and sub-committee meetings, poster sessions, and exhibitions. Over the course of five intensive days, I attended 11 different programs, providing me with valuable opportunities to learn about the latest advancements in transportation and to expand my professional network.

On the first day, I arrived in Washington D.C. and checked into my hotel before heading to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for the meeting. After registering, I participated in a workshop titled "Open-Source Tools for Transit Data: Hands-On Code for Interactive Visualizations," organized by the Standing Committee on Transit Data (AP090). This hands-on workshop, led by experts such as Eric Lind from Metro Transit and Michael Eichler from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, demonstrated how open-source tools like Python and R can be used to visualize and analyze public transport data. It was an enlightening experience that showcased the collaborative potential of open-source approaches.

Following the workshop, I attended the New Attendee Engagement Session. This session provided an overview of the various opportunities available to attendees through engagement in TRB, including tips on navigating the Annual Meeting and making the most of my time during the week. It was a great start to building lifelong professional networks through TRB.

The second day was equally enriching. I attended the Transit Data Committee meeting, which focused on the use of foundational and emerging transit data, including smart cards and General Transit Feed Specifications (GTFS). The meeting, led by Catherine Lawson from SUNY Albany, explored how blending various sources of transit data can open new avenues for assisting transit agencies. I also attended the University Transit Research Lightning Talks, where I heard about innovative research topics such as performance analytics, equity assessment, and network redesigns from researchers at institutions like MIT and TU Delft.

One of the highlights of the conference was the Advances in Geospatial Data Acquisition meeting, sponsored by the Standing Committee on Geospatial Data Acquisition Technologies (AKD70). The presentations focused on the use of LiDAR technology for roadway and vehicle data analysis, providing valuable insights into the latest advancements in geospatial data acquisition.

Another standout session was the Spotlight on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research: Explainable AI, sponsored by the Standing Committee on Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Computing Applications (AED50). This session focused on Explainable AI (XAI) and featured presentations on how AI can explain its decisions in a human-understandable way. The talks highlighted the latest developments in XAI and its applications in transportation research.

Throughout the meeting, I attended numerous other sessions, including the State of the Art and Future Vision on Artificial Intelligence Research and Applications in Transportation, where I learned about the current state-of-practice and future vision for AI in transportation. Presentations covered topics such as AI research activities at the U.S. Department of Transportation and AI applications in transportation practice.

The exhibit hall was another exciting part of the TRB 2023 Annual Meeting. With nearly 200 exhibits on display, I had the opportunity to explore a wide range of transportation-related products and services. The Solutions Showcase theaters featured presentations from exhibiting organizations, providing insights into the latest advancements and innovations in transportation.

On the fourth day, I attended the U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's "fireside chat." They discussed the federal government's plan to achieve "net-zero" carbon emissions in the U.S. transportation sector by 2050, emphasizing initiatives such as building a nationwide network of electric vehicle chargers and zero-emission transit infrastructure.

The final day of the meeting featured a workshop on the state of the art in deep learning and its applications in transportation. Chaired by Mecit Cetin from Old Dominion University, the workshop covered a range of topics related to deep learning, including its applications in operations, safety, planning, and infrastructure. The panelists provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by deep learning in transportation.

Overall, attending the TRB 2023 Annual Meeting was a highly rewarding experience. I gained deep insights into the latest research and innovations in transportation, networked with leading professionals in the field, and participated in discussions that will shape the future of transportation. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this prestigious event and look forward to applying the knowledge and connections gained towards my future research endeavors.