Belen Melian-Batista
Universidad de La Laguna
Tenerife, Spain
Full Professor in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
Bio
Belen Melian-Batista is a Full Professor in the Department of Ingeniería Informática y de Sistemas (Computer Science and Systems Engineering) at Universidad de La Laguna in Tenerife, Spain. She received her PhD from Universidad de La Laguna in 2003 with the thesis “Optimización metaheurística para la planificación de redes WDM” (Metaheuristic optimization for WDM network planning).
She is a recognized international expert in metaheuristics and combinatorial optimization with over two decades of research experience. Her work has been cited over 2,877 times according to Google Scholar, demonstrating significant impact in the field of optimization algorithms and their applications.
Research Focus
Metaheuristics: Extensive expertise in developing and applying metaheuristic algorithms including Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS), GRASP, and hybrid approaches for complex combinatorial optimization problems.
Network Optimization: Pioneering work in telecommunications network optimization, particularly WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) network planning and design problems.
Maritime Logistics: Research in optimization of maritime container terminal operations, transshipment and storage operations at container terminals.
Industrial Scheduling: Applications in parallel machine scheduling problems, production planning processes in various industries including nuts and dried fruits manufacturing.
Data Mining: Development of metaheuristic approaches for data mining applications and knowledge discovery.
Education & Career
- Full Professor - Universidad de La Laguna
- PhD in Computer Science - Universidad de La Laguna (2003)
- Department - Ingeniería Informática y de Sistemas
- Research Group - CAESIUM (Complex and Evolutionary Systems)
Key Research Contributions
- VNS Applications: “Using Memory to Improve the VNS Metaheuristic for the Design of SDH/WDM Networks”
- Network Design: Research on minimizing costs in wavelength division multiplexing and optical crossconnect equipment placement
- Maritime Operations: “Intelligent heuristic techniques for the optimization of the transshipment and storage operations at maritime container terminals”
- Cooperative Metaheuristics: “Nature-inspired Decentralized Cooperative Metaheuristic Strategies for Logistic Problems”
Research Applications
- Telecommunications - Network design and optimization problems
- Maritime Industry - Container terminal management and logistics
- Manufacturing - Production planning and scheduling optimization
- Transportation - Vehicle routing problems with time windows
- Data Analysis - Metaheuristic applications in data mining
Academic Recognition
- High Citation Impact - Over 2,877 citations reflecting significant research influence
- INFORMS Recognition - Acknowledged by The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences
- International Collaboration - Active participation in global research networks
- Long-term Research - Consistent contributions spanning from 2000 to 2025
Current Research Areas
- Advanced Metaheuristics - Development of novel optimization algorithms
- Facility Location Problems - Uncapacitated and complex facility location variants
- Hybrid Methods - Integration of different optimization approaches
- Real-world Applications - Practical implementation in industrial settings
Interests
Optimization | Metaheuristics | Network Design | Maritime Logistics | Operations Research | Data Mining
