Optimal Learning and Exploration Laboratory

Dr. Hadis Anahideh, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Dr. Anahideh’s research objectives center around Black-box Optimization, Active Learning, Machine Learning, and Algorithmic Fairness. She primarily seeks to develop innovative learning and optimization methodologies that have potential utility for multiple fields within engineering operations, design, and social systems. Anahideh recently joined UIC and teaches Data Science I and II. Before joining UIC, she worked as an OR scientist in the Operations Research and Advanced Analytics Department at American Airlines. Viewing research as teamwork, Dr. Anahideh firmly believes the power of developing meaningful relationships with whom she works is critical to successful learning and research.

Click here for Dr. Anahideh’s profile.

Nazanin Nezami

Nazanin is a Ph.D. student in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at UIC. Before joining UIC, Nazanin received her master’s degree in Industrial Engineering at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Sharif University of Technology. She currently conducts research as a Research Assistant in the OPLEX research lab. Her main research interests are in data-driven decision making, machine learning, and deep learning. She enjoys traveling and being exposed to new places, people, and cultures.

Sina Almasi

Sina is a Ph.D. student in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at UIC. Prior to joining UIC, Sina received his master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences at Michigan Technological University. He also got his bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics from Shahid Beheshti University. He is currently conducting research at the OPLEX research lab. Sina’s primary research areas of interest are optimization, machine learning, and data science. Aside from academia, he is an Avgeek, super passionate about airplanes and aviation.

Parian Haghighat

Parian is a Ph.D. student in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at UIC. She holds an M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.Sc. in the same field from Sharif University of Technology. She conducts research, at the OPLEX research lab, that explores the implications of machine learning algorithms in sensitive societal applications. Her work emphasizes the fairness and transparency of algorithms, which are critical in building a more equitable society.

Frantishek Akulich

Frantishek is a Ph.D. student in Industrial Engineering at UIC, where he also received his Bachelor’s degree. He currently conducts research as a Research Assistant in the OPLEX research lab, focusing on machine learning methodologies for fuel ignition systems. He is an automotive enthusiast with a passion for motorsport, research in the AI field, and an active lifestyle.

Ana Escoto-Cardenas

Ana is a master student in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at UIC. She received bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago. After graduation, she was out in the industry for 3 years where she had the chance to work in a variety of roles such as Material Analyst, Quality Engineer, and Manufacturing Supervisor in the aerospace sector. She is currently conducting research in the OPLEX research lab. Her research interests include process improvement through Machine Learning. Ana enjoys traveling and collecting vinyl records.