Aakil Caunhye

School Senior Tutor 2021-2024

Undergraduate Teaching Champion 2020-2021

Courses taught: Principles of Data Analytics, Data Mining

Biography

Broadly speaking, my research belongs to the area of optimisation, through mathematical programming, under uncertainty. My main interests span the areas of robust optimisation and stochastic programming, which are mathematical programming techniques with different perspectives on uncertainty characterisation. I have derived novel reformulations and algorithmic solution approaches for classes of multi-stage robust optimisation and stochastic programming models in network optimisation, combinatorial optimisation, and mixed integer optimisation and have applied these results to integrated power grid expansion planning, disaster response planning, real options analysis in engineering systems design, and resilience improvement for critical infrastructure systems. More recently, I have been working on the concept of contextual optimization as a tool to merge, solidify, and extend the links between the fields of machine learning and decision making. 

Qualifications

Experience

• Senior Research Fellow, National University of Singapore and ETH Zurich, Singapore-ETH Center, Jan '18–Jul '18
• Research Fellow, National University of Singapore and ETH Zurich, Singapore-ETH Center, Aug '14–Dec '17
• Research Associate, Nanyang Technological University, Aug'13–Aug'14

Academic Qualifications

• PhD Systems and Engineering Management, Nanyang Technological University, 2014
• MSc Industrial and Systems Engineering (specialization: Logistics and Operations Research), National University of Singapore, 2009 
• BEng Industrial and Systems Engineering (specialization: Logistics and System Optimization), National University of Singapore, 2008

Methodological

• Robust optimisation, especially data-driven ambiguity-averse optimisation
• Stochastic programming
• Cutting plane algorithms (Benders decomposition, row generation, approximations)
• Decision rules for stochastic programming and robust optimisation

Application areas so far:

• Humanitarian logistics
• Flexibility and real options in engineering systems design
• Resilience of critical infrastructure systems
• Power grid expansion planning
• Post-disaster route restoration