Decision-making in Large-scale Dynamical Networks: Modeling, Evaluation, Estimation and Control

Decision-support technologies are badly needed in many large-scale network applications (e.g., air traffic management, virus spread control, sensor networking, and information system management). Real time decision-making in these applications is very challenging, due to large network size, complex network structure, and intricate intertwined dynamics. Furthermore, uncertain environmental impact significantly complicates decision-making procedures in realistic settings. My research is concerned with developing general tools for crucial decision-making tasks in large-scale dynamical networks under uncertainty. In particular, I have been focused on four deeply-coupled directions: 1) modeling and abstraction of uncertain environmental impact and large-scale network dynamics to permit tractable evaluation and control, 2) estimation of network state and structure based upon smartly collected measurement data, 3) effective system performance evaluation under uncertainty, and 4) design and decentralized control of large-scale network dynamics. In pursuing these directions, I utilize the tools from a variety of fields, including decentralized control, algebraic graph theory, stochastic systems analysis, optimization, numerical simulation, and information theory. In this talk, I will first motivate the decision-making problems common to several applications, and then provide an overview of my development in the above four directions, with the aim of enabling effective real-time decision-making in large-scale networks.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Yan Wan is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of North Texas. She received her Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from Washington State University in May 2009. After that, she worked briefly as a postdoctoral scholar in the Control Systems program at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Dr. Wan’s research interest lies in developing tools for decision-making tasks in large-scale networks, with applications to air traffic management, sensor networking, systems biology, etc. She has authored and co-authored more than 80 publications. She was the recipient of the prestigious 2009 William E. Jackson Award, presented by Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA).  

Presentation Slides: PPT

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