Discrete Applied Mathematics Seminar by Daniel Kosmas: Network Disruption Models for Public Good
Speaker: assistant professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, University of Massachustetts,, Lowell
Title: Network Disruption Models for Public Good
Abstract:
Network disruption models are a class of bilevel optimization models that seek to find the optimal operations of a network in the face of disruptions. They can be used to model a variety of important scenarios, from improving the resiliency of a supply chain to analyzing the vulnerabilities of an illicit network. However, they are often challenging to solve, requiring the development of advanced algorithms. In this talk, we present two novel network disruption models. The first model seeks to improve the resiliency of a distribution network by optimally pre-allocating safety stock while accounting for disruptions. We numerically demonstrate how different measures of supply chain resiliency – such as safety stock allocation, arc density, and production capacity – impact the total costs of operating the distribution network and the network service level. The second model seeks to optimally disrupt an illicit trafficking network while accounting for how the operations of the trafficking network will restructure to mitigate the disruptions. We discuss how, with the perspectives of subject matter experts, we model domestic sex trafficking within the context of this network disruption model. We numerically show how failing to account for restructurings in domestic sex trafficking operations results in policy recommendations that fail to meaningfully disrupt their operations.
Bio:
Daniel Kosmas is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He received his Ph.D. in mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where his research was supported by a National Institute of Justice Graduate Research Fellowship. His research interests include developing operations research models to address societal problems, such as disrupting human trafficking networks and improving the resiliency of pharmaceutical supply chains.
Discrete Applied Math Seminar