Email
xyangk@essex.ac.ukTelephone
+44 (0) 1206 872787
Location
STEM 5.17, Colchester Campus
Academic support hours
Open door policy.
Biography
I had my Bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics, Fudan University, China and then moved to the UK to pursue my postgraduate studies. I obtained MSc in Operational Research from University of Edinburgh, and did my PhD studies in Optimization in the same school under the supervision of Dr Andreas Grothey. Prior to joining the University of Essex, I worked as a Senior Research Associate in Lancaster University Management School for 1.5 years.
Qualifications
Ph.D. in Optimization, Supervisor Andreas Grothey University of Edinburgh, (2011)
MSc in Operational Research (with distinction) University of Edinburgh, (2007)
BSc in Applied Mathematics Fudan University, (2006)
Research interests
Stochastic Optimization and its applications in Logistics, Telecommunications, Revenue Management and Energy.
Stochastic Optimization and Markov Decision Process (MDP)
Approximate Dynamic Programming (ADP) and Reinforcement Learning
Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) and solution approaches
Current research
Online shopping and e-grocery fulfilment
- customer behaviour analysis - demand forecasting - dynamic routing - revenue management and pricing - dynamic inventory control
Decarbonisation with Electric Vehicle (EV) or hybrid fleet
- Carbon emission modelling - Dynamic emission control - Real-time traffic management
Robot/Drone assisted delivery network
- Travelling Salesman Problem (TSP) or Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) - innovative network design and fleet usage - scheduling - tactical decision
Customer preference and dynamic pricing
Real-time dynamic routing with traffic condtion inputs
Current teaching responsibilities
Foundational Mathematics for Data Science (MA111)
Nonlinear Programming (MA305)
Previous supervision
Degree subject: Operational Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 27/6/2024
Degree subject: Operational Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 15/4/2024
Degree subject: Operational Research
Degree type: Master of Philosophy
Awarded date: 3/2/2023
Degree subject: Operational Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 17/10/2022
Degree subject: Operational Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 1/3/2019
Degree subject: Operational Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 18/1/2018
Degree subject: Operational Research
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 3/7/2017
Journal articles (19)
Alsoufi, G., Yang, X. and Salhi, A., An evolutionary approach to solving a new integrated quay crane assignment and quay crane scheduling mathematical model. European Journal of Operational Research
Song, H., Jingi, AM. and Yang, X., Drone-Assisted Last-Mile Delivery Problem by Covering Salesman Problem with Nodes and Segments. SSRN Electronic Journal
Yang, X., Salhi, A., Moghadam, AM., Nguyen, TT. and Pourhejazy, P., (2025). A Multi-Objective Approach for the Integrated Planning of Drone and Robot Assisted Truck Operations in Last-Mile Delivery. Expert Systems With Applications. 269, 126434-126434
Abdollahi, M., Yang, X., Fairbank, M. and Nasri, M., (2023). Demand Management in Time-slotted Last-mile Delivery via Dynamic Routing with Forecast Orders. European Journal of Operational Research. 309 (2), 704-718
Yang, X., Chitsuphaphan, T., Dai, H. and Meng, F., (2022). EVB-Supportive Energy Management for Residential Systems with Renewable Energy Supply. World Electric Vehicle Journal. 13 (7), 122-122
Yang, X. and Thomos, N., (2021). An approximate dynamic programming approach for collaborative caching. Engineering Optimization. 53 (6), 1005-1023
Hosseini, E., Sadiq, AS., Ghafoor, KZ., Rawat, DB., Saif, M. and Yang, X., (2021). Volcano eruption algorithm for solving optimization problems. Neural Computing and Applications. 33 (7), 2321-2337
Yang, X., Salhi, A. and Daham, H., (2021). Combined Strip and Discharge Delivery of Containers in Heterogeneous Fleets with Time Windows. Computers and Operations Research. 127, 105141-105141
Yang, X. and Daham, H., (2020). A column generation based decomposition and aggregation approach for combining orders in inland transportation of containers. OR Spectrum. 42 (1), 261-296
Salhi, A., Alsoufi, G. and Yang, X., (2019). An evolutionary approach to a combined mixed integer programming model of seaside operations as arise in container ports. Annals of Operations Research. 272 (1-2), 69-98
Alsoufi, G., Yang, X. and Salhi, A., (2018). Combined quay crane assignment and quay crane scheduling with crane inter-vessel movement and non-interference constraints. Journal of the Operational Research Society. 69 (3), 372-383
Daham, HA., Yang, X. and Warnes, MK., (2017). An efficient mixed integer programming model for pairing containers in inland transportation based on the assignment of orders. Journal of the Operational Research Society. 68 (6), 678-694
Yang, X. and Strauss, AK., (2017). An approximate dynamic programming approach to attended home delivery management. European Journal of Operational Research. 263 (3), 935-945
Yang, X., Strauss, AK., Currie, CSM. and Eglese, R., (2016). Choice-Based Demand Management and Vehicle Routing in E-Fulfillment. Transportation Science. 50 (2), 473-488
Yang, X., Vernitski, A. and Carrea, L., (2016). An approximate dynamic programming approach for improving accuracy of lossy data compression by Bloom filters. European Journal of Operational Research. 252 (3), 985-994
Alsoufi, G., Yang, X. and Salhi, A., (2015). A combined Mixed Integer Programming model of seaside operations arising in container ports. EURO Journal on Computational Optimization
Grothey, A. and Yang, X., (2012). Approximate dynamic programming with B�zier Curves/Surfaces for Top-percentile Traffic Routing. European Journal of Operational Research. 218 (3), 698-707
Yang, X. and Grothey, A., (2012). Solving the Top-percentile traffic routing problem by Approximate Dynamic Programming. IMA Journal of Management Mathematics. 23 (4), 413-434
Grothey, A. and Yang, X., (2011). Top-percentile traffic routing problem by dynamic programming. Optimization and Engineering. 12 (4), 631-655
Book chapters (1)
Alsoufi, G., Yang, X. and Salhi, A., (2016). Robust Berth Allocation Using a Hybrid Approach Combining Branch-and-Cut and the Genetic Algorithm. In: Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Springer International Publishing. 187- 201. 9783319396354
Conferences (3)
Sapkota, MS., Doctor, F., Herrera, H., Kampouridis, M. and Yang, X., (2024). Machine Learning to Predict Surgery Duration: Towards Implementing AI and Digital Twin for Effective Scheduling
Jingi, AM. and Yang, X., (2023). Robot-Assisted Delivery Problems and Their Exact Solutions
Chitsuphaphan, T., Yang, X. and Dai, H., (2020). Stochastic Programming for Residential Energy Management with Electric Vehicle under Photovoltaic Power Generation Uncertainty
Reports and Papers (1)
Yang, X. and Thomos, N., (2019). A rolling-horizon dynamic programming approach for collaborative caching
2024
To develop a multicriteria optimisation model to schedule outpatient appointments in North East Essex Community Services � with an initial focus on musculoskeletal (MSK) patients.
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
2023
ESNEFT Waiting List Reduction
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
2021
YANG 210628
London Mathematical Society
2020
MSC KTP Application
MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY (UK) LIMITED
2018
Dynamic Pricing and emission control for e-grocery fulfilment
University of Essex
The project will improve efficiencies of the system, customer demand and control the price in real time.
Ocado Technology
Academic support hours:
Open door policy.
