IE Optimization Laboratory

The Optimization Laboratory under the Operations Research Track of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research (DIEOR) at UP Diliman serves as a platform for research and collaboration on mathematical modeling and computational optimization. The lab consists of a team of faculty members and student researchers that share a common interest in operations research. It offers services such as consulting, training, and project development.

VISION

To be the leader in optimization research, driving innovation and providing practical solutions for complex industrial engineering problems.

MISSION

To advance the field of optimization by conducting research, fostering collaboration with industry partners, and equipping students with the skills to address real-world challenges. We aim to develop and apply optimization techniques to enhance operational efficiency, decision-making processes, and resource utilization in diverse industrial sectors.

Research Agenda

  • Quantum Computing: Explore and develop quantum computing capability to solve complex OR problems.
  • OR for Sustainable Engineering: Develop OR Models aimed at solving sustainable engineering problems.
  • Transportation Networks: Conduct research on the development and improvement of transportation networks in the context of urban planning, logistics, and other related fields.
  • Agricultural Logistics: Study and apply OR methods to increase efficiencies in agricultural logistics, and agriculture-adjacent areas such as cold chain logistics.

Services

  • Optimization consulting for public and private sector projects
  • Simulation modelling
  • Optimization tool development
  • Research collaboration and co-development with partner institutions
  • Workshops and training in Python for OR, Gurobi, simulation

Why join this lab?

Optimization plays a central role in Industrial Engineering, providing the tools and methods necessary to improve system performance across sectors such as logistics, healthcare, agriculture, and energy. The lab offers a structured environment for applying analytical approaches to real-world problems, bridging theory and practice. With a team of faculty and researchers, it aims to contribute to national and international efforts in advancing operations research and data-driven decision-making.

IE CompLab available applications

IE COMPLAB POLICIES

STUDENTS

TEACHERS

•No FOOD and DRINKS allowed inside the Computer Laboratory (Keep water bottles inside your bags).

•Flash drives/external hard drives are prohibited for access using the computer units.

•Always TURN OFF the computer units and AVR/UPS after use.

•Do not plug in other AVR/UPS and any other devices into the AVR/UPS of your computer units to prevent overloading. For laptop users, use only designated electrical sockets.

•All errors and unusual behavior of assigned computer units must be communicated to the instructor immediately.

•Student users are required to check with the Instructor which computer unit will be assigned to him/her. A student is not allowed to transfer to another computer unit.

•Do not turn on computers unless the Instructor instructed.

•Keep your workstation clean. Do not leave any trash behind.

•Please see to it that no students turn on the computer units unless instructed.

•Please see to it that all computer units are turned off after use.

•Remind the students to keep their area clean.

•Only your official flash drive/external drive registered is allowed to be accessed using the computer units.

•For computer lab incidents, communicate to the lab representative or to the lab assistant immediately.

Meet the group

Laboratory Head

Nesty

Laboratory Fellows

Monty

Lowell

Joanna

Mark

Jase

Cy

Membership Policy

Applications:

For Lab Fellows and Affiliates

For Graduate Students (MS/PhD/MEngg)

For Undergraduate Students (BS/Interns)

•OR Track Faculty are automatically included as Lab Fellows.

•Faculty from other tracks who wish to become Affiliate Fellows may submit their CV to apply.

Qualifications:

The student will receive feedback on the acceptance or non-acceptance (e.g., insufficient alignment with OR research agenda) of the membership application.
Timeline: Any time after passing IE 296

Is currently enrolled in a graduate program in UP Diliman (preferably within the College of Engineering or allied fields);

Is conducting thesis, dissertation, or directed research aligned with the lab’s research agenda (e.g., optimization, operations research, decision analytics);

Has a faculty member from the lab as an adviser or co-adviser;

Is committed to contributing to the lab through regular meetings, collaborative research, or knowledge-sharing activities such as workshops, lectures, or mentoring.
Application Process:
Interested students must submit a short statement of interest, a current CV, and a brief research plan endorsed by their adviser.
Approval Process:

Submit the complete requirements to the Lab Head.

The application will be opened for review by OR Lab faculty members.

Qualifications:

  1. Is currently taking IE 194/195 and conducting a capstone project aligned with the lab’s research agenda (e.g., optimization, operations research, decision analytics);
  2. Has a faculty member from the lab as an adviser or co-adviser;
  3. Is committed to contributing to the lab through regular meetings, collaborative research, or knowledge-sharing activities such as workshops, lectures, or mentoring.
    Application Process:
    Interested students must submit a short statement of interest, a current CV, and a brief capstone plan endorsed by their adviser that includes the following
  • project title and brief background
  • dentified industry site or research context (if applicable);
  • clearly defined problem statement;
  • explanation of how the project aligns with OR methodologies or principles;
    Approval Process:

The student will receive feedback on the acceptance or non-acceptance (e.g., better aligned to another lab) of the membership application.
Timeline: Any time during IE 194 (special consideration for IE 195 students who will their change capstone project to OR in the middle of the sem)

Submit the complete requirements to the Lab Head.

The application will be opened for review by OR Lab faculty members.

Responsibilities of complab members:

  • Attend bi-monthly meeting (every other month)
  • Report progress on ongoing student research (Grad and BS)
  • Report progress on ongoing faculty research
  • Discuss new research ideas
  • Discuss new project opportunities
  • Discuss conference opportunities
  • Find ways of promoting the lab (e.g. network through membership in professional OR organizations such as ORSP – develop student chapter in UPD of an organization)