Nicolas Rodriguez Uribe

Assistant Professor

Bio

Nicolás Rodríguez Uribe is an Assistant Professor (Profesor Ayudante Doctor) in the Department of Computer Science at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) and a member of the Research Group in Optimization Algorithms (GRAFO). He graduated with a degree in Computer Engineering from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in 2015, subsequently completed a Master’s Degree in Decision Systems Engineering in 2018, and obtained his Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence from the same university in 2022.

Previously, he served as a Visiting Professor at URJC from 2018 to 2023. During his teaching career, he has obtained two DOCENTIA periods corresponding to 2017-2020 and 2020-2023, demonstrating his commitment to excellence in higher education.

His research interests focus on the field of Optimization, specifically on the development of heuristic and metaheuristic algorithms to solve combinatorial optimization problems. Most of his publications deal with the development of heuristic and metaheuristic procedures to solve complex optimization problems, particularly in facility layout optimization.

Research Focus

Facility Layout Optimization: His doctoral thesis, titled “Heuristic and metaheuristic techniques applied to the problem of facility layout,” represents his primary research contribution. He specializes in the Bi-Objective Double Floor Corridor Allocation Problem (DFCAP), one of the most recent incorporations to the family of Facility Layout Problems.

Multi-Objective Optimization: He has developed advanced approaches for multi-objective formulations in facility layout, effectively balancing material handling costs and spatial efficiency in complex, multi-floor arrangements using path relinking strategies.

Metaheuristic Algorithms: His expertise includes various metaheuristic techniques such as Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS), GRASP (Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure), and genetic algorithms for solving complex optimization problems.

Path Relinking Strategies: He has pioneered research in path relinking strategies for bi-objective optimization problems, particularly in the context of facility layout optimization.

Education

• PhD in Artificial Intelligence - Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (2022)
  • Thesis: “Heuristic and metaheuristic techniques applied to the problem of facility layout”
• Master’s Degree in Decision Systems Engineering - Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (2018)
• Computer Engineering - Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (2015)

Key Publications

• “Path relinking strategies for the bi-objective double floor corridor allocation problem” - Knowledge-Based Systems (2024)
• “The bi-objective Double Floor Corridor Allocation Problem” - Research on multi-objective facility layout optimization
• Various publications in JCR-indexed journals - Focused on heuristic and metaheuristic optimization techniques

Research Applications

• Facility Layout Problems - Optimization of arrangements in manufacturing and service environments
• Multi-Floor Layouts - Double floor corridor allocation with vertical conveyor systems
• Material Handling Optimization - Minimizing material handling costs in complex layouts
• Spatial Efficiency - Optimizing total layout area and equilibrium index of double elevators

Academic Recognition

• DOCENTIA Excellence - Two DOCENTIA periods (2017-2020 and 2020-2023) recognizing teaching excellence
• International Conferences - Active presenter at metaheuristics conferences including MIC and MAEB
• JCR Publications - Multiple articles in prestigious indexed journals

Administrative Roles

• Sector B Member - Higher Technical School of Computer Engineering at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
• Works Council Member - Active participation in university governance
• Research Group Leadership - Key member of the GRAFO research group

Current Research Projects

• HOMERO Project - Holistic methodology for configuration, comparison, and evaluation of metaheuristics
• Advanced Facility Layout - Developing novel metaheuristic approaches for complex layout problems
• Multi-Objective Optimization - Enhancing Pareto front approaches for facility layout problems

Interests

Heuristics and Metaheuristics | Combinatorial Optimization | Trajectory Algorithms | Genetic Algorithms | Multi-objective Problems | Facility Layout Optimization

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