Meet the Grantee: Dr. Dr. habil. Bismark Singh
Algorithms for solving two-staged chance-constrained optimization models
The Bavarian government is closing down recycling centers. Which centers should they close, from a given two thousand centers currently existing, so that sustainability goals are not compromised? Selections like this one are the key focus of the research project of our Short Term Grantee Dr. Dr. habil. Bismark Singh from University of Southampton and his host, Prof. Jörg Rambau Chair of Economathematics.
Dr. Dr. habil. Bismark Singh
If you had to explain the research project of your Short Term Grant to the person you metin the elevator, how would you describe it?
Bismark Singh:The key focus of our research project is selection. If you're given a box of 10 different chocolates and asked to select two of them, you have 45 choices. If you're asked to choose 3, there are 120 choices. If a postman is tasked to distribute envelopes to 10 different houses, there are over 3 million tours he can select from. Given 15 houses, there are more tours than there are stars in the Milky Way.
In practice, one has to choose from millions of options. Naturally, one cannot enumerate such choices. Our work helps design special methods that do not require such enumeration.
And, such choices are everywhere. For example, our specific topic also addresses one selection question on sustainability. The Bavarian government is closing down recycling centers. Which centers should they close, from a given two thousand or so centers currently existing, so that sustainability goals are not compromised? Another question of selection!
What does international research mobility in today's world mean to you?
BS: Difficulties with visas and economic disparity makes international mobility extremely difficult in Asian and African countries. While mobility is easy in Europe and the US, other countries face challenges that are one-directional.
What was your personal experience during your stay?
BS: My experience was largely very positive. My host and I spent a lot of time informally knowing each other, e.g., at cafes or Biergarten. My host also introduced me to several spots in Bayreuth that I did not expect to find here. I liked the bike route to his home and a special spot where one can gaze over the entire city horizon.
What were your expectations when you applied for the Grant?
BS: We have begun a specific activity but we need more resources to complete it. For example, we would like to hire a research scientist (HiWi) at Bayreuth who could actively contribute to it. We hope for at least one joint article in a top-tiered journal.
We have now proposed a senior fellowship in the upcoming call. Success here would allow us to actively spend time on this research topic, e.g., by buying out my time at Southampton.
If you could choose a famous researcher or scientist to have dinner with, who would it be?
BS: My PhD advisor, David Morton, is always an inspiration to me and I would any day choose him over any other scientist to have dinner with.
Have you noticed any differences or similarities between UBT and your home university?
BS: On one hand, I liked the UBT campus is very scenic. On the other hand, there is considerable bureaucracy in the German system.