Univ of Nott Computer Science COL Research Lab

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"Learning without thought is labor lost" (Confucius)
"You are not your resume, you are your work" (Seth Godin)
"Be the worst enemy of your own idea, always challenge it, always test it" (Sir Paul Nurse)

Dario Landa-Silva
BEng, MSc, PhD, FHEA

Professor of Computational Optimisation
Member of: COL, HEA
Co-lead of Smart Systems and Operations in the TMC Initiative
Course Leader for the Heuristic Optimisation and Learning NATCOR course

Room C70, School of Computer Science
University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus
Email: dario.landasilva at nottingham.ac.uk
Skype: dario.landasilva

Online Profiles

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Scopus

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Brief CV


Teaching Activity

Present Teaching

Past Teaching

  • COMP4038 - Simulation and Optimization for Decision Support (2016 to 2020)
  • G54ORM - Operations Research and Modelling (2011 to 2015)
  • G53CWO - Computers in the World (2014 to 2015)
  • G53ORO - Operations Research and Optimisation (2008 to 2012)
  • G53QAT - Quality Assurance and Testing (2011)
  • G54HSM - Heuristic Search Methods (2008 to 2010)
  • G54AOR - Algorithm Design and Operations Research (2007 to 2010)
  • G53COM - Computability (2005 to 2007)
  • G52LSS - Large Scale Systems Design (2005 to 2008)

Research Activity

My research interests are in the interface between computer science, operations research and artificial intelligence for the application of modeling, search and optimization techniques to underpin the development of intelligent decision support systems across a range of real-world applications, particularly in logistic and operational scenarios. More specifically, my expertise is on tackling a range of complex combinatorial optimization problems such as vehicle routing, transport planning, personnel scheduling, timetabling, task assignment, room assignment, office space allocation, space planning and other similar problems. The techniques applied in my research include meta-heuristics, hyper-heuristics, evolutionary algorithms, mathematical programming and multi-objective methods. More recently, I am also conducting research on the interplay between optimisation and other methodologies such as machine learning, computer simulation, data science and human computation.

I have been an investigator on several research and knowledge transfer projects (see list of grants awarded below) with various academic and industrial collaborators. Various of these projects have been KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnership). In addition to knowledge transfer, KTPs are an excellent mechanism to forge new research directions and to realise impact from scientific research. My experience with several KTPs has been much rewarding in terms of collaboration with industry, published research papers and generation of REF (Research Excellence Framework) impact case studies based on bringing innovation from scientific research into businesses and industry. According to UKRI, "Innovation is defined as the practical translation of disruptive ideas into novel, relevant and valued products, services, processes, systems or business models, making them readily available to markets, government and society. Innovation means creating economic and/or social value from ideas".

List of Publications - reporting outcomes from my research activity.

Professional Committees and Reviews - various scientific professional activities.

Advice for Prospective PhD Students - some guidance on seeking PhD supervision.


Grants Awarded

Project: Big Data Science for Predictive Analysis and Faster Decision Making.
Funded by: KTP Scheme under Project No. KTP13113.
Academic Team: I. Triguero, D. Landa-Silva, Nicholas Watson.
Industrial Partner: Unilever UK
Project Duration: May 2022 - April 2024.
Value of Award:£1,170,304 (£85,152 from Innovate UK + £85,152 from Unilever UK).
Date of Award: January 2022.

Project: Digitally Enhanced Advanced Services Network+.
Funded by: EPSRC (EP/R044937/1).
Investigators: R. Maull, R. John (D. Landa-Silva), S. Fletcher, T. Baines, Z. Wood
Project Duration: October 2018 - September 2021.
Value of Award: £1,116,752 (from EPSRC).
Date of Award: February 2018.

Project: Big Data Science and Optimisation for Energy Management Systems.
Funded by: KTP Scheme under Project No. KTP11094.
Academic Team: I. Triguero, D. Landa-Silva.
Industrial Partner: E.ON Energy
Project Duration: November 2018 - October 2021.
Value of Award: £219,492 (£109,746 from Innovate UK + £109,746 from E.ON).
Date of Award: February 2018.

Project: Analyse and Categorise Web Traffic to Effectively Identify Intent.
Funded by: KTP Scheme under Project No. KTP11037.
Academic Team: M. Torres Torres, D. Landa-Silva.
Industrial Partner: Netacea Ltd.
Project Duration: September 2018 - July 2021.
Value of Award: £209,913 (£139,943 from Innovate UK + £69,970 from E.ON).
Date of Award: February 2018.

Project: Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics with Optimisation for Business Intelligence.
Funded by: KTP Scheme under Project No. KTP10464.
Academic Team: D. Landa-Silva, I. Triguero, G. Figueredo.
Industrial Partner: PXtech Ltd.
Project Duration: March 2017 - January 2020.
Value of Award: £207,551 (£139,059 from Innovate UK + £68,492 from PXtech).
Date of Award: June 2016.

Project: COSLE - Collaborative Optimisation in a Shared-Logistics Environment (More Here).
Funded by: Innovate UK Collaborative R&D under Competition "Innovation in Location-based Services".
Academic Team: D. Landa-Silva, R. John, T. Pridmore.
Industrial Partner: Microlise Ltd.
Project Duration: June 2015 - May 2017.
Value of Award: £719,435 (from Innovate UK) with £299,482 (to University of Nottingham).
Date of Award: August 2014.

Project: Workforce Scheduling Software Solution.
Funded by: University of Nottingham under EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) Scheme.
Academic Team: D. Landa-Silva.
Impact Industrial Partner: Webroster Net.
Project Duration: April 2015 - August 2015.
Value of Award: £9,000 (from EPSRC).
Date of Award: March 2015.

Project: VEDAT - Value Enhancement for Data from Assets & Transactions. (More Here)
Funded by: Innovate UK Collaborative R&D under Competition "Data Exploration - Creating New Insight and Value".
Academic Team: R. John, D. Landa-Silva.
Industrial Partner: Microlise Ltd.
Project Duration: September 2014 - August 2016.
Value of Award: £359,318 (from Innovate UK) with £149,401 (to University of Nottingham).
Date of Award: April 2014.

Project: Improve Homecare Workforce Utilisation by Developing an Adaptable Software Optimisation Engine that Solves Any Workforce Management Scenario that Includes both Rostering and Routing.
Funded by: KTP Scheme under Project No. KTP9240.
Academic Team: D. Landa-Silva, R. Qu.
Industrial Partner: Webroster Net.
Project Duration: February 2014 - February 2016.
Value of Award: £122,159 (£81,847 from EPSRC and Innovate UK + £40,132 from Webroster).
Date of Award: September 2012.

Project: Energy Efficient Freight Transport Scheduling in Supply Chain Logistics.
Funded by: The Royal Society and NSFC (China) under International Exchanges 2012 NSFC Scheme.
Academic Team: R. Qu, R. Bai, J. Atkin, D. Landa-Silva.
Overseas Partner: University of Nottingham Ningbo, China
Project Duration: April 2013 - March 2015.
Value of Award: £11,830 (from RS and NSFC).
Date of Award: March 2013.

Project: Optimisation Model Software Development for Rostering and Routing to Improve Home Care Staff Utilisation.
Funded by: University of Nottingham under EPSRC Knowledge Transfer Secondment Scheme.
Academic Team: D. Landa-Silva, R. Qu.
Industrial Partner: Webroster Net.
Project Duration: July 2012 - September 2012.
Value of Award: £9,871 (from EPSRC and UoN).
Date of Award: March 2013.

Project: Plan, Develop and Implement a Telematics Based Predictive Maintenance System for Commercial Vehicles.
Funded by: KTP Scheme under Project No. KTP8667.
Academic Team: G. Kendall, D. Landa-Silva.
Industrial Partner: Microlise Ltd.
Project Duration: April 2012 - April 2014.
Value of Award: £122,562 (£82,117 from EPSRC and TSB + £40,445 from Microlise).
Date of Award: October 2011.

Project: Towards More Effective Computational Search.
Funded by: EPSRC (EP/H000968/1).
Investigators: R. John, E.K. Burke, G. Kendall, J.D. Landa-Silva, A. Parkes, S. Petrovic, R. Qu.
Project Duration: February 2010 - February 2015.
Value of Award: £1,010,976 (from EPSRC).
Date of Award: May 2009.

Project: Design, Develop and Implement Modern Heuristic Algorithms for Improved, Adaptive Carrier, Management and Strategic Scheduling.
Funded by: KTP Scheme under Project No. KTP7449.
Academic Team: G. Kendall, D. Landa-Silva.
Industrial Partner: 3T Logistics Ltd.
Project Duration: January 2010 - January 2012.
Value of Award: £124,672 (£83,530 from TSB + £41,142 from 3TLogistics).
Date of Award: May 2009.

Project: Developing Next Generation Rostering Software Using Advanced Scheduling Techniques.
Funded by: KTP Scheme under Project No. KTP7074.
Academic Team: D. Landa-Silva, E.K. Burke, R. Qu.
Industrial Partner: Midland Software Ltd.
Project Duration: February 2009 - February 2011.
Value of Award: £111,992 (£55,996 from TSB + £55,996 from MidlandHR).
Date of Award: August 2008.

Project: Towards More Effective Multi-objective Meta-Heuristics to Solve Complex Combinatorial Problems.
Funded by: EPSRC (EP/E019781/1).
Investigators: J.D. Landa-Silva.
Project Duration: June 2007 - May 2010.
Value of Award: £204,877 (from EPSRC).
Date of Award: September 2006.

Project: Next Generation Decision Support: Automating the Heuristic Design Process.
Funded by: EPSRC (EP/D061571/1).
Investigators: E.K. Burke, J. Garibaldi, G. Kendall, N. Krasnogor, J.D. Landa-Silva, S. Petrovic, R. Qu.
Project Duration: October 2006 - March 2012.
Value of Award: £2,666,765 (from EPSRC).
Date of Award: September 2005.

Project: Adaptive and Multi-objective Heuristic and Meta-heuristic Approaches to Space Allocation.
Funded by: EPSRC (GR/T26115/01).
Investigators: E.K. Burke, G. Kendall, J.D. Landa-Silva, G. Medjdoub.
Project Duration: April 2005 - October 2009.
Value of Award: £205,378 (from EPSRC).
Date of Award: September 2004.

Project: Tutorials in Optimisation and Search Methodology: A Workshop at the Interface of Artificial Intelligence and Operational Research.
Funded by: EPSRC and LMS.
Investigators: E.K. Burke, G. Kendall, J.D. Landa-Silva (co-author).
Project Duration: February 2003 - September 2003.
Value of Award: £9,543 (from EPSRC and LMS).
Date of Award: December 2002.


Research Supervision and Visitors

Research Fellows

  • Ning Xue: PXtech KTP Project on "Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics with Optimisation for Business Intelligence"
        From March 2017 to January 2020

  • Timothy Curtois: Microlise COSLE Project on "Collaborative Optimisation in a Shared Logistics Environment"
        From June 2015 to August 2017

  • Yi Qu: Microlise COSLE Project on "Collaborative Optimisation in a Shared Logistics Environment"
        From June 2016 to May 2017

  • Wasakorn Laesanklang: Microlise COSLE Project on "Collaborative Optimisation in a Shared Logistics Environment"
        From June 2016 to May 2017

  • Rodrigo Pinheiro: Webroster KTP Project on "Homecare Workforce Optimisation Engine for Rostering and Routing"
        From February 2014 to February 2016

  • Mohammad Mesgarpour: Microlise KTP Project on "Telematics Based Predictive Maintenance"
        From May 2012 to April 2014

  • Yijun Wang: 3T Logistics KTP Project on "Modern Heuristic Algorithms for Carrier Scheduling"
        From January 2010 to December 2011

  • Arturo Castillo: Midland HR KTP Project on "Rostering Software Using Advanced Scheduling Techniques"
        From February 2009 to February 2011

  • Hui Li: Project "Multi-objective Meta-Heuristics" (June 2007 - June 2010)

  • German Terrazas Angulo: Project "Nature-inspired Cooperative Hyper-heuristics"
        From April 2008 to March 2010

    Research Students

    Acting as 1st Supervisor for:

  • Ifeoma Ogbodo: Optimization of Immunization Planning Through Mobile Technology for Enhancing Child Wellness and Health in Nigeria (Started February 2021)

  • Salim Maaji: Intelligent Autonomous Multi-drone-robots for Remote Sensing in Exploration of Hydrocarbon (Started December 2018)


    Acting as 2nd Supervisor for:

  • Tim Cargan: Big Data Learning and Optimisation for Predicting Power Output of Solar Arrays (Started October 2019)


    Completed Supervised Theses:

  • Rodrigo Pinheiro: PhD Thesis "A Computational Study and Heuristic Algorithms for the Home Healthcare Scheduling and Routing Problem" (December 2017)

  • Haneen Algethami: PhD Thesis "Genetic Algorithms for Workforce Scheduling and Routing Problem" (December 2017)

  • Osman Ibrahim: PhD Thesis: "Evolutionary Algorithms and Machine Learning Techniques for Information Retrieval" (December 2017)

  • Wasakorn Laesanklang: PhD Thesis "Heuristic Decomposition and Mathematical Programming for Workforce Scheduling and Routing Problems" (January 2017)

  • Arturo Castillo-Salazar: PhD Thesis "Optimisation Models and Algorithms for Workforce Scheduling and Routing" (August 2015)

  • Ha-Thai Duong: PhD Thesis "Heuristics Approaches For Three-Dimensional Strip Packing And Multiple Carrier Transportation Plans" (August 2015)

  • Ozgur Ulker: PhD Thesis "Office Space Allocation by Using Mathematical Programming and Meta-heuristics" (July 2013)

  • Juan Castro-Gutierrez: PhD Thesis "Multi-Objective Tools for the Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows" (March 2012)

  • Khoi Le: PhD Thesis "A Study of Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithms and Their Application to Knapsack and Nurse Scheduling Problems" (March 2011)

  • Joe Henry Obit: PhD Thesis "Developing Meta-heuristics, Hyper-heuristics and Cooperative Search for Course Timetabling" (November 2010)

  • Khoi Le: MRes Thesis "An Evolutionary Algorithm for Multi-Objective Nurse Scheduling" (September 2006)

    Visting Researchers

  • Jaruwan Wangwattanakol: Visiting UG Student from Mahidol University in Thailand
        Visited: (15-January-2024 to 13-March-2024)

  • HuaFeng Dai: Visiting Professor from Chengdu University in China
        Visited: (15-November-2023 to 01-November-2024)

  • Netiphan Amphaiphan: Visiting PhD Student from Mahidol University in Thailand
        Visited: (1-October-2022 to 30-September-2023)

  • Jingyi Ding: Visiting Researcher from the School of Artificial Intelligence, Xidian University in China
        Visited: (31-July-2019 to 30-July-2020)

  • Federico Alonso-Pecina: Visiting Professor from Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos in Cuernavaca, Mexico
        Visited: (16-May-2018 to 8-June-2018, 4-May-2015 to 13-July-2015, June-2014, 22-April-2013 to 19-July-2013)

  • Jairo Lozano-Carballo: Visiting MSc Student from Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua in Mexico
        Visited: (15-February-2016 to 15-May-2015)

  • Anna Martinez-Gavara: Visiting Researcher from Universidad de Valencia in Spain
        Visited: (1-May-2015 to 31-August-2015)

  • Arton Dorneles: Visiting PhD Student from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) in Brazil
        Visited: (15-December-2014 to 31-May-2015)

  • Jesica de Armas: Visiting Researcher from Universidad de La Laguna in Spain
        Visited: (1-October-2014 to 30-November-2014)

  • Raquel Martinez España: Visiting PhD Student from Universidad de Murcia in Spain
        Visited: (1-October-2013 to 31-December-2013)

  • Christopher Exposito-Izquierdo: Visiting PhD Student from Universidad de La Laguna in Tenerife, Spain
        Visited: (9-April-2012 to 25-May-2012)

  • Eduardo Lalla-Ruiz: Visiting PhD Student from Universidad de La Laguna in Tenerife, Spain
        Visited: (9-April-2012 to 25-May-2012)

  • Prof. Alfonso Fernandez Timon: Visiting Professor from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Spain
        Visited: (July-2011)

  • Prof. Ademir Constantino: Visiting Professor from Maringa State University in Brazil
        Visited: (December-2009 to November-2010)

  • Takuma Kubo: Visting PhD Student from National Institute of Informatics in Japan
        Visited: (October-2009 to November-2009)

  • Nadarajen Veerapen: Visting Erasmus Student from University of Nantes in France
        Visited: (January-2009 to June-2009)

  • Prof. Minaya Villasana: Visiting Professor from Universidad Simon Bolivar in Venezuela
        Visited: (August-2008 to April-2009)