Research Interests: Modeling and optimization of complex systems using exact solution methods and metaheuristic techniques such as Tabu Search, Genetic Algorithms, and Ant Colony Approaches. Primary application areas are facility layout, reliability and network design. Other research interests consist of women participation in Information Science and Engineering, and Teaching and Learning with Virtual Teams.

External Research Grants

A Modular Assessment Framework for Professional Skills Using A Model of Domain Learning Approach, National Science Foundation (NSF) (DUE 1141001), Principal Investigator, $199,566, May 2012-April 2015.

Exploration of a Collaborative Virtual Computer Laboratory (CVCLAB) to Enhance Distance Learning in Information Security, NSF (DUE 1044800), co-Principal Investigator, $154,151, October 2011-Sepember 2013.

Internationalizing Entrepreneurship Education Program (IEEP), (proposal #7175-09), National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) Course and Program Grant, Principal Investigator, $31,700, July 2010-August 2014.

Exploration of the Effects of Race, Ethnicity and Socio-economic Class on Gender Stereotyping of STEM Disciplines, NSF, Research Opportunities Award (ROA), co-Principal Investigator, $38,050, April 2009-August 2013.

Collaborative Research:  Enhancing Learning Experiences in Partially Distributed Teams, CCLI- Phase I, NSF (DUE 0736981), co-Principal Investigator, $115,055, January 2008-December 2009.

Refereed Journal Articles

Liang, Y.-C., Kulturel-Konak, S., and Lo, M.H. (in print). "A Multiple-Level Variable Neighborhood Search Approach to the Orienteering Problem," Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering.

Kulturel-Konak, S. and Konak, A. (in print). "Linear Programming Based Genetic Algorithm for the Unequal Area Facility Layout Problem," International Journal of Production Research.

Ulutas, B.H. and Kulturel-Konak, S. (2013). "Assessing Hypermutation Operators of Clonal Selection Algorithm for the Unequal Area Facility Layout Problem," Engineering Optimization, 45(3), 375-395.

Kulturel-Konak, S. (2012). "A Linear Programming Embedded Probabilistic Tabu Search for the Unequal-Area Facility Layout Problem with Flexible Bays," European Journal of Operational Research, 223, 614-625.

Ulutas, B.H. and Kulturel-Konak, S. (2012). "An Artificial Immune System Based Algorithm to Solve Unequal Area Facility Layout Problem," Expert Systems with Applications, 39, 5384-5395.

Konak, A.,Kulturel-Konak, S., Levitin, G. (2012). "Multi-objective Optimization of Linear Multi-state Sliding Window System," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 98, 24-34.

Ulutas, B.H. and Kulturel-Konak, S. (2011). "A Review of Clonal Selection Algorithm and Its Applications," Artificial Intelligence Review, 36(2), 117-138.

Kulturel-Konak, S. and Konak, A. (2011). "A New Relaxed Flexible Bay Structure Representation and Particle Swarm Optimization for the Unequal Area Facility Layout Problem," Engineering Optimization, 43(12), 1263-1287.

Konak, A. and Kulturel-Konak, S. (2011). "Reliable Server Assignment in Networks using Nature Inspired Metaheuristics," IEEE Transactions on Reliability, 60(2), 381-393.

Kulturel-Konak, S. and Konak, A. (2011). "Unequal Area Flexible Bay Facility Layout using Ant Colony Optimization," International Journal of Production Research, 49(7), 1877-1902.

Kulturel-Konak, S., D'Allegro, M.L., and Dickinson, S. (2011). "Review of Gender Differences in Learning Styles: Suggestions for STEM Education," Contemporary Issues in Education Research, 4(3), 9-18.

Kulturel- Konak, S., Maurer, C.R., and Lohin, D.L. (2010). "Teaching Students How to Effectively Work in Virtual Teams," International Journal of Information Technology Project Management, 1(2), 61-78.

Ramirez-Marquez, J.E., Kulturel- Konak, S., and Sanseverino, C.M.R. (2010). "Probabilistic Solution Discovery Algorithm for the Orienteering Problem," International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering, 6(1), 45-61.

Konak, A., Kulturel-Konak, S., and Azizoglu, M. (2008). "Minimizing the Number of Tool Switching Instants in Flexible Manufacturing Systems," International Journal of Production Economics, 2008, 116, 298-307.

Kulturel-Konak, S., Coit D.W., and Baheranwala F. (2008). "Pruned Pareto-Optimal Front to the Multi-Objective System Redundancy Allocation Problem," Journal of Heuristics, 14(4), 335-357.

Konak, A. and Kulturel-Konak, S. (2007). "Ant Colony Optimization for the Minimization of the Number of Tool Switching Instants in Flexible Manufacturing Systems," International Journal of Information Technology and Intelligent Computing, 2(2).

Kulturel-Konak, S., (2007). "Approaches to Uncertainties in the Facility Layout Problems: Perspectives at the Beginning of the 21st Century," Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, 18(2), 273-284.

Kulturel-Konak, S., Smith, A.E., and Norman, B.A., (2007). "Bi-Objective Facility Expansion and Relayout Considering Monuments," IIE Transactions, 39(7), 747-761.

Scheubrein, R. and Kulturel-Konak, S. (2006). "An Electronic Teaching Assistant for Basic Operations Management Methods," INFORMS Transactions on Education Special Issue on the Effective Use of Software in the MS/OR Classroom, 7(1).

Konak, A., Kulturel-Konak, S., Norman, B.A., and Smith, A.E. (2006). "A New Mixed Integer Programming Formulation for Facility Layout Problem," Operations Research Letters, 34, 660-672.

Kulturel-Konak, S., Smith, A.E., and Norman, B.A. (2006). "Multi-Objective Tabu Search Using a Multinomial Probability Mass Function," European Journal of Operational Research, 169(3), 915-931.

Kulturel-Konak, S., Smith, A.E., and Norman, B.A. (2004). "Layout Optimization Considering Production Uncertainty and Routing Flexibility," International Journal of Production Research, 42(21), 4475-4493.

Kulturel-Konak, S., Norman, B.A., Coit, D.W., and Smith, A.E. (2004). "Exploiting Tabu Search Memory in Constrained Problems," INFORMS Journal on Computing, 16(3), 241-254.

Kulturel-Konak, S., Smith, A.E., and Coit, D.W. (2003). "Efficiently Solving the Redundancy Allocation Problem Using Tabu Search," IIE Transactions, 35(6), 515-526.

Konak, A., Kulturel-Konak, S., Smith, A.E., and Nettleship, I. (2003). "Estimation of Shrinkage for Near Net-Shape Using a Neural Network Approach," Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, 14(2), 219-228.

Kulturel, S., Ozdemirel, N.E., Sepil, C., and Bozkurt, Z. (1999). "Experimental Investigation of Shared Storage Assignment Policies in Automated Storage/Retrieval Systems," IIE Transactions, 31(8), 739-749.

Refereed Proceedings Articles

Kulturel-Konak, S. and Konak, A., Esparragoza, I., and Okudan Kremer, G. (2013) "Assessing Professional Skills in STEM Disciplines," Proceedings of the 3rd IEEE Integrated STEM Education Conference, 1-4, Princeton, NJ.

Kulturel-Konak, S. and Trauth, E.M. (2012). "Information Systems and Technology Education in the USA: Perspectives from Community Colleges." Proceedings of the AMCIS 2012 Conference, Seattle, WA, Paper 6, 1-10.

Kulturel-Konak, S. and Konak, A. (2011). "Ant Colony Optimization for the Unequal-Area Facility Layout Problem," Proceedings of International Conference on Evolutionary Computation Theory and Applications 2011, 273-277, University PARIS-EST Créteil (UPEC), Paris, France.

Konak, A. and Kulturel-Konak, S. (2011). "A Clonal Selection Algorithm to Investigate Diverse Solutions for the Reliable Server Assignment Problem," Proceedings of International Conference on Evolutionary Computation Theory and Applications 2011, 156-161, University PARIS-EST Créteil (UPEC), Paris, France.

Joshi, K. D., Kvasny, L., McPherson, S., Trauth, E.M., Kulturel-Konak, S., and Mahar, J. (2010). "Choosing IT as a Career: Exploring the Role of Self-Efficacy and Perceived Importance of IT Skills," Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Systems 2010, St. Louis, MO, 154-162.

Kulturel-Konak, S. and Konak, A. (2010). "Simulation Optimization Embedded Particle Swarm Optimization for Reliable Server Assignment," Proceedings of the 2010 Winter Simulation Conference, Baltimore, MD, 2897-2906.

Trauth, E.M., Joshi, K. D., Kvasny, L., Chong, J., Kulturel-Konak, S., and Mahar, J. (2010). "Millennials and Masculinity: A Shifting Tide of Gender Typing of ICT?". Proceedings of the AMCIS 2010 Conference, Lima, Peru, Paper 73, 1-9.

Esqueda, P.D., Ogden, D., and Kulturel-Konak, S. (2010). "Importance of Flexibility in Reaching Consensus: A Case of Real Estate Negotiation, Proceedings of the 2010 BALAS Conference , Barcelona, Spain, 1-17.

Konak, A. and Kulturel-Konak, S. (2009) "An Integrated Genetic Algorithm and Integer Programming Approach to the Network Design Problem with Relays," Proceedings of the 2009 Integration of AI and OR Techniques in Constraint Programming for Combinatorial Optimization Problems Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, 325.

Kulturel-Konak, S. and Konak, A. (2008). "Reliable Network Server Assignment using an Ant Colony Approach," Proceedings of ESREL 2008- Annual Conference of European Safety and Reliability Association (ESRA) and Society for Risk Analysis Europe (SRA-E) , Valencia, Spain, 2657-2663.

Dallard, H., Lam, S., and Kulturel-Konak, S. (2007). "Solving the Orienteering Problem Using Attractive and Repulsive Particle Swarm Optimization," Proceedings of the 2007 IEEE International Conference on Information Reuse and Integration, Las Vegas, NV, 12-17.

Kulturel-Konak, S. and Coit, D.W. (2007). "Determination of Pruned Pareto Sets for the Multi-Objective System Redundancy Allocation Problem," Proceedings of the 2007 IEEE Symposium on Computational Intelligence in Multi-Criteria Decision-Making, Honolulu, HI, 390-394.

Konak, A. and Kulturel-Konak, S. (2007). "An Ant Colony Optimization Approach to the Minimum Tool Switching Instant Problem in Flexible Manufacturing System," Proceedings of the 2007 IEEE Symposium on Computational Intelligence in Scheduling, Honolulu, HI, 43-48.

Lam, S., Dallard, H., and Kulturel-Konak, S. (2006). "A Particle Swarm Optimization Approach for Solving Orienteering Problem," Proceedings of the IERC2006, Orlando, FL, 1-6.

Konak, A. and Kulturel-Konak, S. (2005). "Simulation Optimization with Tabu Search: An Empirical Study," Proceedings of the 2005 Winter Simulation Conference, Orlando, FL, 2686-2692.

Kulturel-Konak, S., Sayin, E., and Alpay, N. (2005). "A Collaborative Teamwork Experience Between Industrial Engineering Students of the Middle East Technical University and Business Administration Students of the Pennsylvania State University," Proceedings of the 2005 International SEFI Conference, Ankara, Turkey, 372-379.

Konak, A., Smith, A.E., and Kulturel- Konak, S. (2004). "New Event Driven Sampling Techniques for Network Reliability Estimation," Proceedings of the 2004 Winter Simulation Conference, Washington, DC, 224-231.

Liang, Y.-C., Kulturel-Konak, S., and Smith, A.E. (2002). "Metaheuristics for the Orienteering Problem," Proceedings of the 2002 Congress on Evolutionary Computation, Honolulu, HI, 384-389.

Kulturel-Konak, S., Konak, A., and Smith, A.E. (2000). "Minimum Cost 2-Edge-Connected Steiner Graphs in Rectilinear Space: An Evolutionary Approach," Proceedings of the 2000 Congress on Evolutionary Computation, San Diego, CA, 97-103.

Book Sections

Kulturel- Konak, S., Maurer, C.R., and Lohin, D.L. (2012). "Teaching Students How to Effectively Work in Virtual Teams," ed. Wang, J. Project Management Techniques and Innovations in Information Technology, 127-144, IGI Global, Montclair State University, USA.

Konak, A., Kulturel-Konak, S., and Smith, A.E. (2009). "Two-Edge Disjoint Survivable Network Design Problem with Relays," eds. Chinneck, J.W., Kristjansson, B., and Saltzman, M. Operations Research and Cyber-Infrastructure, Operations Research/Computer Science Interfaces Series 47, 279-292, Springer, New York, USA.

Kulturel-Konak, S. and Konak, A. (2008). "A Local Search Hybrid Genetic Algorithm Approach to the Network Design Problem with Relay Stations," eds. Golden, B., Raghavan, S., and Wasil, E. Telecommunications Modeling, Policy and Technology, 311-324, Springer, New York, USA.

Kulturel-Konak, S., Konak, A., and Coit, D.W. (2006). "Multiobjective Metaheuristic Approaches to Reliability Optimization," ed. Levitin, G. Computational Intelligence in Reliability Engineering: Evolutionary Techniques in Reliability Analysis and Optimization, Studies in Computational Intelligence 39, 37-62, Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg.

Dengiz, O., Konak, A., Kulturel-Konak, S., Smith, A.E., and Nettleship,I. (2002). "Neural Computing Approach to Shape Change Estimation in Hot Isostatic Pressing,"ed. Parmee, I.C. Adaptive Computing in Design and Manufacture V, Springer-Verlang, London.

Visiting Scholars

Dr. Berna Ulutas, Assistant Professor of Industrial Engineering, Osmangazi University, Ankara, Turkey. May 2009-May 2010 (funded by the TUBITAK, Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey). " Artificial Immune Systems Applied to Facility Layout Problems."