Jafar Fathali | Operations Research | Best Researcher Award

Prof.Jafar Fathali | Operations Research | Best Researcher Award

University Professor at Shahrood University of Technology, Iran 

Professor Jafar Fathali 🎓 is a renowned academic in Operations Research and Applied Mathematics, currently serving as a Professor at the Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, Shahrood University of Technology, Iran 🇮🇷. With decades of contribution to location theory, heuristic optimization, and scheduling problems , he has become a distinguished figure in computational mathematics. A prolific researcher, Prof. Fathali has authored over 50+ peer-reviewed journal articles  in internationally recognized platforms such as EJOR, Soft Computing, and Computers & Industrial Engineering. He is actively involved in scholarly communities including the Iranian Mathematical Society and the Iranian Operations Research Society . Beyond research, he contributes as a referee for leading journals, mentoring students and advancing mathematical modeling in real-world applications. His academic journey is defined by innovation, persistence, and leadership , making him a vital contributor to the global research ecosystem .

🔹Professional Profile

SCOPUS

ORCID

📘 Education & Experience

Prof. Jafar Fathali holds a BSc in Applied Mathematics from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad , an MSc from Amirkabir University of Technology , and earned his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Ferdowsi University in 2005 . With a solid foundation in mathematical theories, he began teaching at Shahrood University of Technology, where he advanced to a full professorship . Over the years, he has taught a wide array of undergraduate and graduate courses, including Operations Research, Advanced Linear & Nonlinear Programming, Combinatorial Optimization, and Numerical Analysis . His expertise spans both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, equipping students with problem-solving and analytical skills 🔍. With his academic and mentoring experience, Prof. Fathali has played a key role in shaping Iran’s next generation of mathematicians and operations research .

🚀 Professional Development

Professor Fathali has shown remarkable growth in academia through innovative research, interdisciplinary collaborations, and active journal reviewing . He has reviewed articles for top-tier journals such as European Journal of Operational Research, Transportation Research Part E, Soft Computing, and Optimization Methods and Software . He is a member of the Iranian Mathematical Society, Iranian Operations Research Society, and Iranian Statistics Society , reflecting his deep involvement in the academic community. His ability to integrate fuzzy logic, graph theory, and metaheuristic algorithms into practical models has enhanced decision-making strategies across industries . Prof. Fathali has also co-developed numerous hybrid algorithms involving genetic algorithms, ant colony optimization, and variable neighborhood search for solving complex problems . His active mentorship, editorial contributions, and research collaborations are key indicators of a career deeply committed to academic excellence, growth, and innovation .

🔬 Research Focus

Professor Jafar Fathali’s research is firmly rooted in Operations Research, with an emphasis on location theory , combinatorial optimization, and scheduling problems . He specializes in designing algorithms for complex decision-making models such as the p-median, p-center, and core location problems across graphs and trees . His methods employ heuristic techniques, metaheuristics (e.g., genetic algorithms , particle swarm optimization , and fuzzy logic  to model real-world uncertainties in logistics, network design, and resource allocation. Prof. Fathali has also explored inverse and semi-obnoxious location problems, expanding the scope of location models to account for service inefficiencies and backup facilities . His works address both theoretical and applied aspects, blending mathematical rigor with practical implementation . With continuous innovations in modeling and optimization, his contributions have significantly advanced the field of applied mathematics and operations research .

🏆 Awards & Honors

While specific awards and honors for Professor Jafar Fathali are not individually listed, his academic reputation is underscored by the impact and volume of his scholarly work . Having published in high-impact journals like European Journal of Operational Research and Soft Computing, his research has earned wide recognition and citation 🏆. Being a referee for over a dozen international journals and collaborating with well-known scholars such as R.E. Burkard, indicates peer acknowledgment and respect . His sustained publication record, editorial engagements, and frequent invitations to review complex mathematical models highlight his research excellence and international credibility . His contributions have helped define solutions for complex logistics and scheduling challenges, securing his place among Iran’s most influential operations research . With ongoing recognition from both academic institutions and scholarly circles, Prof. Fathali continues to be a role model for aspiring mathematicians and OR specialists globally .

🔹Publication of Top Notes

1.Convexity and sensitivity analysis of the median line location problem

Authors: Mehdi Golpayegani, Jafar Fathali
Year: 2025
Journal: International Journal of Systems Science: Operations & Logistics
DOI: 10.1080/23302674.2025.2529967

2.Greedy algorithms for the inverse center line location problem

Authors: Mehdi Golpayegani, Jafar Fathali
Year: 2025
Journal: Expert Systems with Applications
DOI: 10.1016/j.eswa.2025.129064

3.Fuzzy balanced allocation problem with efficiency on facilities

Authors: Azam Azodi, Jafar Fathali, Mojtaba Ghiyasi, Tahereh Sayar
Year: 2023
Journal: Soft Computing
DOI: 10.1007/s00500-022-07695-4

4.The balanced 2-median and 2-maxian problems on a tree

Authors: Jafar Fathali, Mehdi Zaferanieh
Year: 2023
Journal: Journal of Combinatorial Optimization
DOI: 10.1007/s10878-023-00997-9

5.Finding the absolute and vertex center of a fuzzy tree

Authors: Fatemeh Taleshian, Jafar Fathali, Nemat Allah Taghi-Nezhad
Year: 2022
Journal: Transportation Letters
DOI: 10.1080/19427867.2021.1909797

6.The minimum information approach to the uncapacitated p-median facility location problem

Authors: Mehdi Zaferanieh, Maryam Abareshi, Jafar Fathali
Year: 2022
Journal: Transportation Letters
DOI: 10.1080/19427867.2020.1864595

7.Fuzzy Balanced Allocation Problem with Efficiency on Servers

Authors: Azam Azodi, Jafar Fathali, Mojtaba Ghiyasi, Tahereh Sayar
Year: 2021
Type: Preprint
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-444116/v1

8.Inverse and reverse balanced facility location problems with variable edge lengths on trees

Authors: Shahede Omidi, Jafar Fathali, Morteza Nazari
Year: 2020
Journal: OPSEARCH
DOI: 10.1007/s12597-019-00428-6

9.Finding an optimal core on a tree network with M/G/c/c state-dependent queues

Authors: Mehrdad Moshtagh, Jafar Fathali, James MacGregor Smith, Nezam Mahdavi-Amiri
Year: 2019
Journal: Mathematical Methods of Operations Research
DOI: 10.1007/s00186-018-0651-3

10.The Stochastic Queue Core problem, evacuation networks, and state-dependent queues

Authors: Mehrdad Moshtagh, Jafar Fathali, J. MacGregor Smith
Year: 2018
 Journal: European Journal of Operational Research
 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejor.2018.02.026

🏁Conclusion

Professor Fathali’s research stands out due to its mathematical rigor, practical relevance, and algorithmic innovation. His work significantly advances the optimization and decision sciences field, contributing both theoretical frameworks and practical solutions. These qualities, combined with his sustained academic output, collaborative spirit, and international impact, make him an ideal candidate for the Best Researcher Award.

Jibamitra Ganguly | Geo Chemistry| Best Researcher Award

Jibamitra Ganguly | Geo Chemistry| Best Researcher Award

Jibamitra Ganguly, University of Arizona, United States

Professor Jibamitra Ganguly is a renowned Earth and Planetary Scientist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona 🌍. With a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1967), his pioneering research has spanned petrology, geochemistry, thermodynamics, and planetary science 🚀. Over five decades, he has mentored countless scholars, delivered keynote lectures globally 🌎, and contributed foundational work on diffusion kinetics, thermobarometry, and planetary evolution. His scientific legacy is recognized through numerous awards, fellowships, and visiting professorships 🌟. Widely respected for both his depth and breadth, Prof. Ganguly remains a towering figure in geosciences and cosmochemistry 🪐.

Profesessional Profile:

Google Scholar

🎓 Education & Experience

Professor Ganguly earned his Ph.D. in Geosciences from the University of Chicago in 1967 🎓, focusing on mineral equilibria and stability. He began his career as a Scientific Officer at India’s Atomic Energy Establishment ⚛️, followed by academic roles including Assistant Professor at BITS Pilani 🇮🇳 and Postdoc at Yale University 🇺🇸. He was a Research Geophysicist at UCLA 🌐 before joining the University of Arizona in 1975, where he served as a Professor until 2016 👨‍🏫. He later became an Honorary Professor at IISER India 🏛️, marking a distinguished career in research, teaching, and international collaboration 🌎.

🌍 Professional Development 

Professor Ganguly has been a driving force in global geoscientific engagement 🌐. He’s delivered keynote talks at premier conferences like Goldschmidt, IMA, and the Meteoritical Society 🎤, elevating the discourse in experimental petrology and planetary thermodynamics 🌋. His leadership in summer schools and workshops across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. 📚 reflects his dedication to geochemical education. Collaborations with CNR 🇮🇹, CAS 🇨🇳, and CSIR 🇮🇳 showcase his international influence. His integral role in NASA and NSF-backed cosmochemical research 🚀🔬 has helped unify planetary science with Earth systems research, nurturing a truly interdisciplinary and global academic impact 🌎.

🔎 Research Focus 

Professor Ganguly’s research spans geosciences and planetary sciences 🌋🪐. He’s an authority in mineral thermodynamics, diffusion kinetics, and phase equilibria 🧪. His innovations include closure temperature theory, mineral order-disorder, and mantle heat transfer modeling 🌍🔥. In planetary science, his work investigates the thermal history of meteorites, mineral reactions in asteroids, and early solar system events ☄️⏳. His multidisciplinary approach integrates field data, lab experiments, and theoretical models, bridging geoscience and cosmochemistry 🌐. His studies help decipher Earth’s deep interior and unravel extraterrestrial processes, positioning him as a pioneer in Earth and planetary system evolution 🌌🛰️.

🏅 Awards & Honors 

Professor Ganguly’s excellence has been recognized worldwide 🏆. He received the prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Research Prize 🇩🇪 and is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the Mineralogical Society of America (MSA) 🌟. He served as Chief Guest at IIEST’s 2018 convocation 🎓 and was an Invited Scientist under the United Nations TOKTEN Program with CSIR India 🌐. As Honorary Professor at IISER India 🏛️ and guest professor in Germany, Sweden, Italy, and India 🌍, his academic influence spans continents. His accolades honor a lifetime of groundbreaking contributions to Earth and planetary sciences 🔬🌎.

Publication Top Notes:

1. Mixing properties of aluminosilicate garnets: constraints from natural and experimental data, and applications to geothermo-barometry

Authors: J. Ganguly, S.K. Saxena
Journal: American Mineralogist, Vol. 69(1-2), pp. 88–97, 1984
Citations: 725
Summary:
This seminal work investigates the mixing properties of aluminosilicate garnet solid solutions using both natural and experimental data. Ganguly and Saxena developed thermodynamic models for the mixing behavior of garnets in the pyrope-almandine-grossular system. The study provided key constraints for the use of garnet as a geothermobarometer—a tool for estimating pressure and temperature conditions of rock formation—thereby advancing petrologic modeling and metamorphic studies.


2. Thermodynamics of aluminosilicate garnet solid solution: new experimental data, an optimized model, and thermometric applications

Authors: J. Ganguly, W. Cheng, M. Tirone
Journal: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, Vol. 126, pp. 137–151, 1996
Citations: 452
Summary:
This paper presents new experimental data and an improved thermodynamic model for aluminosilicate garnet solid solutions. By refining activity-composition relations, the authors developed a more accurate method for garnet-based thermometry. The model has found widespread application in metamorphic petrology, allowing for more precise temperature estimations in high-grade metamorphic rocks.


3. Equilibrium Compositions of Coexisting Garnet and Orthopyroxene: Experimental Determinations in the System FeO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂, and Applications

Authors: Hany Lee, J. Ganguly
Journal: Journal of Petrology, Vol. 29(1), pp. 93–113, 1988
Citations: 439
Summary:
This study experimentally determines equilibrium compositions of garnet and orthopyroxene in the Fe-Mg-Al-Si-O system at high temperatures and pressures. The resulting thermodynamic data have been used to calibrate geothermometers and geobarometers, facilitating better interpretations of metamorphic conditions in ultramafic and mafic rocks. The work is foundational in linking mineral compositions with metamorphic P-T paths.


4. Cation diffusion in aluminosilicate garnets: experimental determination in spessartine-almandine diffusion couples, evaluation of effective binary diffusion coefficients, and applications

Authors: S. Chakraborty, J. Ganguly
Journal: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, Vol. 111(1), pp. 74–86, 1992
Citations: 386
Summary:
This research focuses on the diffusion behavior of cations (notably Fe and Mn) in garnet minerals using diffusion couples of spessartine and almandine. The study provided essential diffusion coefficients and insights into the time scales of metamorphic processes. These findings are pivotal for understanding compositional zoning in garnets and for modeling the kinetics of mineral reactions.


5. Quartz-coesite transition revisited: Reversed experimental determination at 500–1200 °C and retrieved thermochemical properties

Authors: K. Bose, J. Ganguly
Journal: American Mineralogist, Vol. 80(3-4), pp. 231–238, 1995
Citations: 373
Summary:
This paper revisits the quartz–coesite phase transition through a series of reversed experiments at various temperatures. The authors refined the equilibrium boundary and derived updated thermochemical data, which are crucial for understanding ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic conditions. This work significantly contributed to the identification of coesite as an indicator of extreme metamorphic environments, such as those found in subduction zones.

🧾 Conclusion

  • Prof. Jibamitra Ganguly is an exemplary researcher whose work has transformed our understanding of mineral behavior in high-temperature and high-pressure geological environments. His quantitative, high-impact, and enduring contributions make him an ideal recipient of a Best Researcher Award in the geosciences. His research not only informs academic knowledge but also supports applied geological investigations, such as tectonic reconstructions and resource exploration.