👋🏼 Hello there, I’m Ishan!

I’m a fourth year PhD candidate advised by Prof. Oktay Günlük in the department of Operations Research and Information Engineering at Cornell University.

My research interests are broadly in discrete optimization for operations research problems like production planning, electricty trading, and warehouse management. The tools I use include polyhedral analysis, algorithm design and mathematical modelling. I have recently also become interested in the optimal qubit routing problem arising in quantum computing. In addition to my interestes in operations research, I work on developing approximation algorithms for classical discrete optimization problems, particularly in network design. I like to think about how these techniques apply to supply-chain logistics and network optimization.

Prior to joining Cornell, I obtained a master’s degree from the University of Waterloo in the department of Combinatorics and Optimization, where I worked with Prof. Chaitanya Swamy and Prof. Jochen Köenemann. I completed my undergraduate studies from Chennai Mathematical Institute. During my time at Cornell, I’ve also worked with E & J Gallo Winery focussing on optimizing their transportation network across North America.

Apart from research, I am a certified meditation trainer, and spend my time volunteering and helping people meditate. I also enjoy playing chess and soccer. I’ve been learning to play the piano and would appreciate any tips to self-learn 🙂.