Dick Barr's Home Page
General Information
Richard S. Barr, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair,
Engineering Management,
Information, and Systems (EMIS) department in the
Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering at
Southern Methodist University,
Dallas, Texas 75275.
(B.S. in Electrical Engineering, M.B.A., and Ph.D. in
Operations Research, University of Texas at Austin.)
- Mailing Address:
Southern Methodist University
Department of Engineering Management, Information, and Systems
Science Information Center, Room 356
P. O. Box 750123
Dallas, TX 75275
- Phone: (214)768-1772. Fax: (214)768-1101.
- Email: barr at lyle dot smu dot edu
- Office: Science Information Center, Room 319
(map and directions to the EMIS office)
Research
The following are some of my research interests, reflected in selected
downloadable papers and presentations.
- Network Optimization. This research focuses on methods and
software for optimizing many varieties of network problems.
Recent projects include:
- Interval flow networks: a new class of network models that
restrict the flow on an arc to be either 0 or between a given
lower and upper bound. Extremely efficient optimization and
heuristic algorithms have been developed and tested.
- Network methodologies: parallel network algorithms,
reoptimization techniques, and large-scale problems.
- Network applications: include
telecommunications network design, railroad/airline logistics
operations, optimal file matching, and targeting and strike
planning for military air operations.
- Telecommunications: network design and planning tools.
A
Telecommunications Network Research Laboratory to
support this work has been funded by the
National Science Foundation
Of special interest are algorithms for optimizing DWDM and
all-optical broadband network designs (work sponsored by
the Texas Advanced Technology Program).
- Benchmarking with Data Envelopment Analysis
We are developing DEA into a benchmarking support methodology.
Research includes new DEA-based models, computationally efficient solution
algorithms, processes for identifying performance factors and
metrics for benchmarking studies, and industry-specific applications.
This work is sponsored by the
National Science Foundation.
Recent applications include Pier 1 Imports and the
Federal Reserve Banking System.
- Optimization-Based Machine Learning.
This work involves the use of mathematical programming methods to
solve classification and other neural-net-style problems. Recent
applications: credit scoring systems, bank failure prediction, and
processing of spectral images for GIS and geoscience applications.
- Parallel Optimization. This work focuses on the development of optimization
algorithms (both exact and inexact) that can exploit multiple processors
to reduce problem solution time. Recent applications: branch-and-bound
fixed charge networks and large-scale DEA.
- Empirical Analysis of Algorithms.
Designing and conscientiously reporting on computational experiments
with algorithms has always been a challenge for computer scientists and, particularly,
operations researchers. This research explores the issues and suggests
means by which the CS/OR community can be more scientific in its approach
to this valuable process.
Meet my academic ancestors Poisson, Lagrange, Euler, Bernoulli, Euler, and Laplace at the
Mathematics Genealogy Project.
I teach in the School of Engineering, primarily in
the operations research, engineering management, and management science
programs, at the undergraduate, Masters, and Ph.D. levels. The classes
offered over the National Technological
University satellite system have led to my selection as a 10-time Outstanding NTU Instructor
(1991-1999, 2001). Courses taught recently include:
- EMIS 4395 Senior Design.
Capstone course for undergraduate Management
Science majors, in which students apply their modeling skills to
real problems for industrial clients.
- EMIS 5362/7362 Production Systems Engineering.
A survey of production and operations systems and their
management models, methods, and issues.
- EMIS 5363 Applied Parallel Programming. A hands-on course in applications
programming for parallel machines. Covers both shared- and distributed-memory
architectures, and features industrial guest speakers.
-
EMIS 8362 Engineering Accounting. A one-semester overview of financial
and managerial accounting for engineering managers. One of the most
popular electives taught in the department, and extremely useful for
students working in industry.
- EMIS 8373 Integer Programming. The study of (mixed) integer programming problems:
exact and heuristic algorithms, modeling techniques, and computational considerations.
- EMIS 8374 Network Flows. Optimization algorithms and modeling techniques for
network flow problems (pure, generalized, integer, constrained, and special
cases of same).
- EMIS 8378
Optimization Models for Decision Support. A case-study course in
developing, solving, and implementing mathematical programming models to
support managerial decision-making. Homework assignments are solved using
the GAMS modeling language.
- ME 5350 Design for Manufacturability and Concurrent Engineering.
Course in DFM/CE issues, methods, and practice.
- Co-founder and former president, TelOptica, Inc., provider of technology and services for planning and designing optical
telecommunications networks
- Sought and received investment capital for business ventures from
StarTech Seed Fund, Austin Ventures, Centerpoint Associates, and
SSM Venture Associates
- Co-founder of Analysis, Research, and Computation, Inc., Austin, Texas, and JGR Systems Engineering LLC, Dallas, Texas
- Consultant to
General Motors,
IBM,
E-Systems,
Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail),
Coopers & Lybrand,
Cray Research,
Eclectic Computing Concepts,
Fujitsu Network Services,
Heritage Foundation,
Lockheed Martin,
Merit Technologies,
Peat Marwick Main & Company,
Pier 1 Imports,
Proyectos Marinos S.A.,
Raytheon,
Southwestern Bell,
the Tax Foundation,
Texas Dept. of Agriculture,
Texas Water Development Board,
Texas Instruments,
U.S. Air Force,
U.S. Navy,
U.S. Forestry Service,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and
U.S. Department of the Treasury
- I was born and reared in Austin, Texas.
- My wife, Shippy, and I live close to White Rock Lake,
near the heart of Dallas.
We like movies, books, eating out, visits from the neighborhood kids,
and travelling. I enjoy volleyball, software, aerobics, R&B, and jazz.
- However, since the arrival of our son, Johnathan (in 1996), we rarely indulge in the above activities. He is just too much
work and fun.
Last Update: Feb 6, 2009