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Industrial Engineering: University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering

Faculty Bryan A. Norman - Associate Professor

  • Education: Ph.D. (Industrial Engineering): University of Michigan
  • Areas of Expertise: Logistics and Productions Systems Design and Analysis, Scheduling, Facility Layout Planning, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Operations Research, Heuristic Optimization
Bryan A. Norman

Professor Bryan Norman joined the department in 1995 after receiving his Ph.D. in Industrial and Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan. He received his MS and BS in Industrial Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Norman's primary research interests include logistics and the application of operations research models to production and logistics systems. His research considers both theoretical developments and issues concerning the practical application of operations research models. His research focuses primarily on three aspects of logistics. The first concerns the development of mathematical models for scheduling manufacturing resources and personnel in both manufacturing and service organizations. Specific scheduling environments include: metal cutting machine tools, manufacturing shop floors, and personnel training. Second, he is investigating methods for achieving efficient facility design and material handling in manufacturing and service environments. Third, he is a member of the University of Pittsburgh's RFID Center for Excellence and conducts research related to the application of RFID technologies to enhance supply chain management and for asset management and control. Dr. Norman also conducts research concerning manufacturing process analysis and energy modeling. In his research, he employs traditional optimization approaches such as math and dynamic programming, and heuristic solution techniques including: evolutionary computation and tabu search. He is a senior member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers and INFORMS.

Recent Publications

  • Konak, A., S. Kulturel-Konak, B. A. Norman, and A. E. Smith, "A New Mixed Integer Programming Formulation for Facility Layout Design Using Flexible Bays," Operations Research Letters, Vol. 34, 660-672, 2006.
  • Kulturel-Konak, S., A. E. Smith, and B. A. Norman, "Multi-Objective Tabu Search Using a Multinomial Probability Mass Function," European Journal of Operational Research, Vol. 169, No. 3, 918-931, 2006.
  • Norman, B. A. and A. E. Smith, "A Continuous Approach To Considering Uncertainty In Facility Design," Computers and Operations Research, Vol. 33, 1760-1775, 2006.
  • Bidanda, B., P. Ariyawongrat, K. L. Needy, B. A. Norman, and W. Tharmmaphornphilas, "Human Related Issues In Manufacturing Cell Design, Implementation, And Operation: A Review & Survey," Computers and Industrial Engineering, Vol. 48, 507-523, 2005.
  • Kulturel, S., B. A. Norman, D. W. Coit and A. E. Smith, "Exploiting Tabu Search Memory In Constrained Problems," INFORMS Journal on Computing, Vol. 16, No. 3, 241-254, 2004.
  • Kulturel-Konak, S., A. E. Smith, and B. A. Norman, "Layout Optimization Considering Production Uncertainty and Routing Flexibility," International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 42, No. 21, 4475-4493, 2004.
  • Ozturk, U. A., M. Mazumdar, and B. A. Norman, "A Solution to the Stochastic Unit Commitment Problem Using Chance Constrained Programming," IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, Vol. 19, No. 3, 1589-1598, 2004.
  • Tharmmaphornphilas, W. and B. A. Norman, "A Quantitative Method for Determining Proper Job Rotation Intervals," Annals of Operations Research special issue on Staff Scheduling and Rostering: Theory and Applications, Vol. 128, 251-266, 2004.
  • Ozturk, U. A. and B. A. Norman, "Heuristic Methods For Wind Energy Conversion System Positioning," Electric Power Systems Research, Vol. 70, 179-185, 2004.

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