DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
VITA
Francis
J. Vasko
(610)
838-7590 home
(610) 704-5469 cell (610) 683-4417
EDUCATION:
1983, Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering/Operations
Research,
Doctoral Dissertation Topic:"An Efficient Heuristic for Large-Scale Facility
Location-Type Problems with Applications in the Steel Industry".
1978, M.S. in Industrial Engineering/Operations
Research,
Thesis:"The Applicability of Graph Theory to Large-Scale School and
Examination Scheduling Problems".
1976, M.S. in Mathematics,
Thesis:"Duality between Measure and Baire Category".
1974, B.S. in Mathematics Education (graduated with highest honors), Kutztown University
OTHER EDUCATION:
Attended numerous technical and professional development seminars over the years.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Francis
J. Vasko is a Professor
of Mathematics at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. Before coming to
RESEARCH INTERESTS AND BACKGROUND:
Major areas - Applying Mathematics to solve real-world problems/Operations Research/Management Science/Combinatorial Optimization/Heuristic Methodology and Metaheuristics
Minor areas - Real Analysis/Point-Set Topology
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society (Full Member)
Mathematical Programming Society (MPS)
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS)
Society
of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (
The Production and Operations Management Society (POMS)
Operational Research Society (ORS)
Mathematical
Association of
European Chapter on Metaheuristics
Special Interest Group on Cutting and Packing (SICUP)
Special Interest Group on Ant colony Optimization
HONORS/AWARDS:
2008-25th Anniversary Edition of
Who’s Who in the World
2008-Who’s Who in
2007-Who’s Who in
2005-C. R. Chambliss Kutztown University
Faculty Research Award
2005-Reading Eagle article “Pitching a
numerical formula: A Kutztown University professor uses mathematics-a
quantitative approach-to help solve Little League problem”, July 15, 2005.
2005-Tower:
2005-Reading radio station 830 AM WEEU
interview “What is an applied mathematician?” KU football game half-time
interview, August 27, 2005.
1999 - ANBAR Electronic Intelligence Citation of Excellence for Outstanding Contribution to the Literature and Body of Knowledge (for published paper [31]).
1994
- Big Brother of the Year (
1988 - Finalist Edelman Award for Management Science Achievement (for published paper [11]).
1984 - Finalist for Corporate Gold Award
1983-Bethlehem Globe Times article “Steel Researcher Contradicts Common Notion of a Scientist” one of five articles on “Scientists in the Lehigh Valley”, September 1983.
1983 - D. J. Blickwede Research Recognition Award
GRANTS:
2006-$3554
from
1988-$12,000 from Bethlehem Steel Corporation ($10,000) and SI Handling Corporation ($2,000) to fund the Kutztown University Artificial Intelligence Learning Center
PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS:
Published Papers: (Principal author is listed first.)
1. F. J. Vasko and D. C. Friedel, ²A Dynamic Programming Model for Determining Continuous-Caster Configurations², IIE Transactions, March 1982.
2. F. J. Vasko and G. R. Wilson, ²Using a Facility Location Algorithm To Solve Large Set Covering Problems², Operations Research Letters, 1984.
3. F. J. Vasko and G. R. Wilson, ²An Efficient Heuristic For Large Set Covering Problems², Naval Research Logistics Quarterly, 1984.
4. F. J. Vasko and G. R. Wilson, ²Hybrid Heuristics for Minimum Cardinality Set Covering Problems², Naval Research Logistics Quarterly, 1986.
5. F. J. Vasko, F. E. Wolf, and K. L. Stott, ²Optimal Selection of Ingot Sizes via Set Covering², Operations Research, V 35, N 3, 1987.
6. F. J. Vasko and F. E. Wolf, ²Solving Large Set Covering Problems on a Personal Computer², Computers and Operations Research, V 15, N 2, pp. 115-121, 1988.
7. F. J. Vasko, F. E. Wolf , and K. L. Stott, ²A Practical Solution to a Fuzzy Cutting Stock Problem², Fuzzy Sets and Systems, V 29, pp. 259-275, 1989.
8. F. J. Vasko, F. E. Wolf, K. L. Stott, and L. R. Woodyatt. ²A Fuzzy Approach to Optimal Metallurgical Grade Assignment², Applications of Fuzzy Set Methodologies in Industrial Engineering, G. W. Evans, W. Karwowski, and M. R. Wilhelm, Editors, Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1989.
9. F. J. Vasko, F. E. Wolf, and K. L. Stott, ²A Set Covering Approach to Metallurgical Grade Assignment², European Journal of Operational Research, V 38, N 1, 1989.
10. F. J. Vasko, ²An Improvement to Wang’s Two-Dimensional Cutting Stock Algorithm², Computers and Industrial Engineering, V 16, N 1, pp. 109-115, 1989.
11. F. J. Vasko, F. E. Wolf, K. L. Stott, and J. W. Scheirer, ²Selection of Optimal Ingot Sizes for Bethlehem Steel², Interfaces, V 19, N 1, 1989.
12. F. J. Vasko, F. E. Wolf, and J. A. McNamara, ²A Multiple Criteria Approach to Dynamic Cold Ingot Substitution², Journal of the Operational Research Society, V 40, N 4, 1989.
13.
K. L. Stott and F. J. Vasko, ²Fuzzy Problem Formulation
at
14. F. J. Vasko, M. L. Cregger, L. G. Lutsko, D. D. Newhart, and D. J. Renn, ²A Multiple Attribute-Based Expert Support System for Customer/Order Evaluation², Journal of the Operational Research Society, V 41, 1990.
15. F. J. Vasko, F. E. Wolf, and J. A. Pflugrad, ²An Efficient Heuristic for Planning Mother Plate Requirements at Bethlehem Steel², Interfaces, V 21, N 2, 1991.
16. F. J. Vasko, K. L. Stott, F. E. Wolf, and L. R. Woodyatt, ²An Application of Fuzzy Metallurgical Grade Selection², proceedings of the May workshop of the North American Fuzzy Information Processing Society (NAFIPS) May, 1991.
17. F. J. Vasko, F. E. Wolf, K. L. Stott, and O. Ehrsam, ²Bethlehem Steel Combines Cutting Stock and Set Covering to Enhance Customer Service², Mathematical and Computer Modelling, V 16, N 1, January, 1992.
18. L. R. Woodyatt, K. L. Stott, F. E. Wolf, and F. J. Vasko, ²Using Fuzzy Sets to Assign Metallurgical Grades to Steel², Journal of Metals, V 44, N 2, pp. 28-31, February, 1992.
19. D. D. Newhart, K. L. Stott, and F. J. Vasko, ²Consolidating Product Sizes to Minimize Inventory Levels for a Multi-stage Production and Distribution System², Journal of the Operational Research Society, July, 1993.
20. F. J. Vasko, F. E. Wolf, K. L. Stott, and L. R. Woodyatt, ²Adapting Branch - and - Bound for Real-World Scheduling Problems², Journal of the Operational Research Society, May, 1993.
21. L. R. Woodyatt, K. L. Stott, F. E. Wolf, and F. J. Vasko, ²An Application Combining Set Covering and Fuzzy Sets to Optimally Assign Metallurgical Grades to Customer Orders², Fuzzy Sets and Systems, V 53, N 1, pp. 15-26, January, 1993.
22.
F. J. Vasko, ²A Computational Note on
the Martello-Toth Knapsack Algorithm², European
Journal of Operational Research, V 73, May, 1994.
23. F. J. Vasko, J. A. McNamara, D. D. Newhart, and F. E. Wolf, ²A Practical Solution to a Cargo Loading Problem at Bethlehem Steel², Journal of the Operational Research Society, V45, N 11, pp. 1285-1292, 1994.
24. F. J. Vasko, M. L. Creggar, D. D. Newhart, and K. L. Stott, ²A Real-Time One-Dimensional Cutting Stock Algorithm for Balanced Cutting Patterns², Operations Research Letters, V 14, N 5, pp 275-282, 1993.
25. F. J. Vasko and F. E. Wolf. ²A Practical Approach for Determining Rectangular Stock Sizes², Journal of the Operational Research Society, V 45, N 3, pp 281-286, 1994.
26. F. J. Vasko, M. L. Creggar, K. L. Stott, and L. R. Woodyatt, ²Optimal Assignments of Slabs to Orders: An Example of Appropriate Model Formulation², Computers and Industrial Engineering, V 26, N 4, 1994.
27.
F. J. Vasko and K. L. Stott, ²Optimizing Continuous
Caster Product Dimensions: An Example of a Nonlinear Design Problem in the
Steel
28.
F. J. Vasko,
29. P. A. Huegler and F. J. Vasko, "A Performance Comparison of Heuristics for the Total Weighted Tardiness Problem", Computers and Industrial Engineering, Vol.32, No.4, pp.753-767, October, 1997.
30. D. J. Renn, K. L. Stott, and F. J. Vasko, ²A Penalty Function Sequencing Strategy Implemented Within a Knowledge-Based System², Journal of the Operational Research Society, V50, N 3, pp. 205-210, 1999.
31. F. J. Vasko, D. D. Newhart, and K. L. Stott, ²A Hierarchical Approach for One-Dimensional Cutting Stock Problems in the Steel Industry that Maximizes Yield and Minimizes Overgrading², European Journal of Operational Research, Vol.114, No.1, pp.72-82, 1999.
32. F. J. Vasko, D. D. Newhart, and K. L. Stott, ² A Hierarchical Approach for Cutting Stock Problems that Maximizes Yield and Minimizes Overgrading², 41st MWSP CONF. PROC., ISS, VOL. XXXVII, pp3-10, 1999.
33. F. J. Vasko, H. L. Gilles D. H. Bright, B. Kocatulum, and F. E. Wolf, ²Making Steel Cool: An Intelligent Search Strategy for Optimizing Water Spray Settings on a Continuous Caster², OR Insight, Vol. 12, Issue 4, pp. 2-10, 1999.
34. F. J. Vasko, J. A. McNamara, R. N. Parkes, F. E. Wolf, and L. R. Woodyatt, ²A Matching Approach for Replenishing Rectangular Stock Sizes², Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 51, No. 3, pp.253-257, 2000.
35. F. J. Vasko, D. D. Newhart, K. L. Stott, and F. E. Wolf, ²Fiddler on the Roof: balancing trim loss and setups², OR Insight, Vol. 13, Issue 3, pp. 9-14, 2000.
36. F. J. Vasko and F. E. Wolf, ²A Heuristic Concentration Approach for Weighted Set Covering Problems², Locator: ePublication of Location Analysis, Vol.2, No.1, pp. 1-14, 2001.
37. F. J. Vasko, ²My Fair Share: a simple multiple attribute decision making approach to graduate assistantship allocation², OR Insight, Vol. 14, Issue 3, pp. 26-31, 2001.
38. F. J. Vasko, R. S. Barbieri, B. Q. Rieksts, K. L. Reitmeyer, and K. L. Stott, ²The Cable Trench Problem: Combining The Shortest Path and Minimum Spanning Tree Problems², Computers and Operations Research, Vol. 29, No. 5, pp. 441-458, 2002.
39. F. J. Vasko and D. D. Newhart, “Heads I Win, Tails You Lose”, ORMS Today, Vol.29, No. 3, pp. 23, June 2002.
41. F. J. Vasko, D. D. Newhart, K. L. Stott, and F. E. Wolf, ²A Large-Scale Application of The Partial Coverage Uncapacitated Facility Location Problem”, Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 54, No. 1, pp. 11-20, 2003.
42.
F. J. Vasko and
43. F.J. Vasko, “Play Ball—Equally: Math Programming Lends a Hand to Little League Baseball”, OR Insight, Vol.16, Issue 2, pp. 16-19, April-June 2003. .
44. F.J.Vasko, D.D.Newhart, and A.D.Strauss, “Coal Blending Models for Optimum Cokemaking and Blast Furnace Operation”, Journal of the Operational Research Society,
Vol. 56, No. 3, pp 235-243, March 2005.
45.
F.J.Vasko, P.J. Knolle, and
D. S. Spiegel, “An Empirical Study of Hybrid Genetic Algorithms for the Set
Covering Problem”, Journal of the Operational Research Society,
Vol. 56, No. 10, pp 1213-1223, October 2005.
46. F. J. Vasko, A. J. Hamm, K. L. Reitmeyer, and L. R. Woodyatt, ²A Hierarchical Approach for the Application of Slabs to Strip Products in the Steel Industry², OR Insight, Vol.18, Issue 3, pp. 24-37, July-September 2005.
47. P. A. Huegler and F. J. Vasko, "Metaheuristics for Meltshop Scheduling in the Steel Industry", Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol. 58, Issue 6, pp. 791-796, June 2007.
48. F. J. Vasko and W. J. Peterson, “Can Teachers Trust the World Wide Web for Classroom Lesson Plans?”, TechTrends, Vol. 51, No. 4, pp. 53-54, July-August 2007.
Seminars/Conferences:
1-10.F. J. Vasko gave numerous technical seminars while a full-time employee of Bethlehem Steel’s Research Department (June 1978 - August 1986).
11.F.
J. Vasko, “An Introduction to the Theory of
Computational Complexity”, Mathematics and CIS Department Colloquium,
12.F. J. Vasko, “A Fuzzy Approach to Optimal Metallurgical Grade Assignment”, Research Seminar Series, Bethlehem Steel Research Department, August, 1987.
13.F. J. Vasko, W. Jolley, F. E. Wolf, K. L. Stott, and J. W. Scheirer, “A Set Covering Approach to Optimal Ignot Size Selection”, 1988 Edelman Award Finalist, TIMS/ORSA National Conference, Washington, D. C., April 1988.
The Edelman Award paper was also presented at the following:
14.Kutztown
15.Research Seminar Series,
Bethlehem Steel Research Department,
16.IBM Metals Industry Workshop,
17.Lehigh
18.Kutztown
March, 1989.
19.New Jersey Chapter TIMS/ORSA,
Busch Campus,
20.F. J. Vasko, F. E. Wolf, K. L. Stott, and L. R. Woodyatt, “A Fuzzy Approach to Optimal Metallurgical Grade Assignment”, Lehigh University Industrial Engineering Seminar Series, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, May, 1989.
21.F.
J. Vasko, “1990 Overview: Interior Point Methods for
Linear Programming”, PACISE/SSHE-MA Joint Meeting,
22.F.
J. Vasko, J. A. McNamara,
23.D.
D. Newhart, K. L. Stott, and F. J. Vasko, “A
Distribution and Inventory Analysis for a New Facility Location Study”,
ORSA/TIMS Joint National Meeting,
24.F.
J. Vasko, “Applied Combinatorial Optimization at
Bethlehem Steel”, DIMACS (An NSF institute) Seminar, Busch Campus,
25.F.
J. Vasko, “A Practical Solution to a Cargo Loading
Problem at
26.F. J. Vasko, “Mathematical Modeling for Successful Implementation in the Real World”, Dinner Speaker, Kappa Mu Epsilon, Mathematics Honor Society, April 16, 1993.
27.F. J. Vasko, “Mathematical Modeling for Successful Implementation in the Real World”, Annual SSHE-Mathematics Association Conference, May 25, 1993.
28.F.
J. Vasko, K. L. Stott, F. L. Wolf, and L. R. Woodyatt, "An Optimization-based Approach for
Scheduling Continuous Casters", invited talk, 14th Triennial Conference of
The International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS),
29.F. J. Vasko, D. D. Newhart, K. L. Stott, and F. E. Wolf, "Using a Facility Location Algorithm to Determine Optimum Cast Bloom Lengths", invited talk, 14th Triennial Confertence of The International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS), Vancouver, B.C., Canada, July 8-12, 1996.
30.L.
R. Woodyatt and F. J. Vasko,
"Optimum Selection of Semi-Finished Steel Slabs from Inventory for
Producing Plate Products", invited talk, 14th Triennial Conference of The
International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS),
31.L.
R. Woodyatt and F. J. Vasko,
"Combining Fuzzy Sets and Set Covering to Optimally Assign Metallurgical
Grades to Customer Orders", invited talk, 14th Triennial Conference of The
International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS),
32.F.
J. Vasko, D. D. Newhart, and K. L. Stott, ²A
Hierarchical Approach for Cutting Stock problems that maximizes Yield and
minimizes Overgrading², INFORMS FALL 1999
Meeting,
33.D.
34.D.
J. Renn, K. L. Stott, and F. J. Vasko,
²A
Penalty_based Sequencing Strategy Implemented within
a Knowledge-Based System², INFORMS FALL 1999 Meeting,
35.F. J. Vasko, “Formulation and Solution of Several Cutting Stock Applications in the Steel Industry”, invited lecture, RUTCOR (Rutgers Center for Operations Research), Busch Campus, Rutgers University, New Jersey, March 20, 2000.
36.F.
J. Vasko, “Math Lends a Hand to Little League
Baseball”, SSHE-MA 2002 Annual Conference,
37.F.J. Vasko and P.A. Huegler, “Using a Genetic Algorithm Approach to Schedule a Meltshop in the Steel Industry”, Seminar Series in Chemical Process Modeling, Dynamics and Control, Center for Chemical Process Modeling and Control, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, January 28, 2003.
38.F.J.
Vasko and P.A. Huegler,
“Using a Genetic Algorithm Approach to Schedule a Meltshop
in the Steel Industry”, Optimization Seminar Series, Industrial and Systems
Engineering Department,
39.F.J.
Vasko, “Should You Ask Marilyn Math Questions?”,
Department of Physics Colloquium,
40.F.
J. Vasko, “Does Marilyn Know Her Game Theory?”,
SSHE-MA 2004 Annual Conference,
41.F.
J. Vasko, "Coal Blending Models for Optimum Cokemaking and Blast Furnace Operation", invited talk,
17th Triennial Conference of The International Federation of Operational
Research Societies (IFORS),
42.F. J. Vasko and P.A. Huegler, "Using a Genetic Algorithm Approach to Schedule a Meltshop in the Steel Industry", invited talk, 17th Triennial Conference of The International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS), Honolulu, Hawaii, July 10-15, 2005.
43.F. J. Vasko, P.J. Knolle and P.A. Huegler, "An Empirical Study of Hybrid Genetic Algorithms for the Set Covering Problem", 17th Triennial Conference of The International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS), Honolulu, Hawaii, July 10-15, 2005.
44.D.
S Spiegel and F. J. Vasko, ²A Panmictic
Evolutionary Approach to the Set Covering Problem², INFORMS FALL 2005
Meeting,
45.J. Keffer, D. Rieksts and F.J. Vasko, “Ant Colony Optimization: How Many Ants are Enough?”, 17th Annual St. Joseph’s Sigma Xi Student Research Symposium, St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA, April 22, 2006.
46.J. Keffer, D. Rieksts and F.J. Vasko, “Ant Colony Optimization: How Many Ants are Enough?”, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Conference 2006, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, November 4, 2006.
47.F.J.Vasko,
“Metaheuristics: What are they and what are they used
for?”, C. R. Chambliss Kutztown
University Faculty Research Award Lecture,
48.J.
Keffer, D. Rieksts and F.J.
Vasko, “Ant Colony Optimization: How Many Ants are
Enough?”, Moravian College Mathematics Conference,
49.F.J.Vasko,
“Combining Statistics and Mathematical Programming to Develop Coal Blends for
Optimum Cokemaking and Blast Furnace Operation”,
Kutztown University Mathematics Department Colloquium, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA, March 1, 2007.
JOURNAL REFEREE:
European Journal of Operational Research
Annals of Operations Research
Interfaces
Operations Research
Mathematical and Computer Modelling
Computer and Industrial Engineering
Computers and Operations Research
IEEE Expert
International Journal of Production
Economics
Journal of the Operational Research Society
Omega
International Transactions of Operational
Research
(more than 90 papers reviewed).
BOOK REVIEW:
Reviewed (May 2001), at publisher’s request, S.Tan’s Finite Mathematics for the Managerial, Life, and Social Sciences (6th edition).
Reviewed (2006), at publisher’s request, Kenneth H. Rosen’s Discrete Mathematics and Its Applications (8th edition).
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
1991-Present Professor
Mathematics and CIS Department
2006-Present Consultant in applied mathematics
Solo Laboratories
1986-1991 Associate Professor
Mathematics and CIS Department
1986-2003 Consultant in applied mathematics
Research Department
Bethlehem Steel Corporation
1986 Adjunct Professor of management science
1985 Adjunct Professor of mathematics and management science
1986 Senior Scientist
1983 - 1986 Research Engineer
1981 - 1983 Assistant Research Engineer
1978 - 1981 Engineer
Systems Analysis Group
Research Department
Bethlehem Steel Corporation
1977 - 1978 Teaching Assistant
Department of Industrial Engineering
1976 Adjunct Professor
Department of Mathematics
1975 - 1977 Junior High Mathematics Teacher
1974 - 1975 Teaching Assistant
Department of Mathematics
SERVICE HISTORY:
Math Search Committee (2006-2007)-two positions
Math Search Committee (2005-2006)-two positions
Chair, Math Search Committee (2001-2002)-two positions
Graduate Council (university) 1991-present
Event Scheduling Committee (university)
Industrial Advisory Board (department)
Long Range Planning Committee (department)
MS in CIS Committee (department)
Mathematics Undergraduate Review Committee (department)
Mathematics Graduate Review Committee (department)
Member, Carlos A.Valenzuela Ph.D.
Committee, Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering Department,
Big Brother (Big Brothers/Big Sisters Organization) 1986-1994
Hellertown Area Library Board of Trustees 1995-1998
Member, Peter A.Huegler (KU MA in math 1995) Ph.D. Committee, Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA (1999-2003)
Supervised at least six masters’ theses in both math and computer science
Nominated three graduates of the Math & CIS Department for Outstanding Young Alumni Awards (all three received the award)