Research in focus: Amir Ardestani-Jaafari

Name:

Amir Ardestani-Jaafari

My pronouns:

He/Him/His

Title:

Assistant Professor

Faculty/Department/Unit:

Faculty of Management

Location:

Okanagan

Year I started working at UBC:

2020

Provide an overview of your research in 75 words or less:

"Robust Optimization" is a strategy used in decision-making that prepares for uncertainty and variability. It's like planning for a road trip where you might encounter unexpected weather, traffic, or road closures. Instead of planning for just one perfect route, you consider multiple possibilities and prepare for various—especiallly worst-case—scenarios. This way, even if something goes wrong, your plan is flexible and resilient enough to handle it.

What first motivated you (or motivates you) to conduct your research?

I'm driven by the desire to use mathematics and numerical methods to make a tangible impact. I focus on applying these tools to solve real-world problems, particularly in designing robust systems that can withstand various challenges. My work demonstrates how theoretical math can be harnessed to create practical solutions that improve the stability and efficiency of critical infrastructures and networks.

What do you hope will change as a result of this research?

With robust optimization, society can expect improvements in various sectors that directly impact daily health and safety. This approach enhances the reliability and efficiency of critical systems such as health-care delivery, transportation networks, energy distribution, finance and telecommunications. By preparing these systems to withstand unpredictable scenarios, robust optimization ensures that services remain stable and efficient even under adverse conditions.

Learn more:

https://management.ok.ubc.ca/about/contact/amir-ardestani-jaafari/ 
https://cocana.ok.ubc.ca 
https://mmri.ubc.ca