Photo of Victor Chan by Rensselaer/Kris Qua

Troy, NY — Wai Kin “Victor” Chan plans to predict the future. Chan, an assistant professor of decision sciences and engineering systems at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been awarded a Faculty Early Career Development Award (CAREER) from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Chan will use the projected five-year, $400,000 grant to develop better computer simulation methodologies to improve systems from healthcare to military operation and airport security.

Chan will use the funding to develop new simulation modeling and analysis to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of simulation models and their results. His research is targeted to handle large-scale, time-sensitive, real-world systems. 

Chan will develop new simulation theories based on mathematical programming techniques to create fast simulation models that produce predictions as close as possible to the real-time results. He envisions developing experimental methods that require only a small data snapshot to yield reliable simulation results, avoiding the reams of data and multiple rounds of simulation that are required in traditional approaches. 

His research will go hand-in-hand with several educational programs. Chan plans to include both graduate and undergraduate student researchers in his work, helping them develop hands-on experience creating new simulation systems for companies. He will use a multidisciplinary approach that combines student knowledge in math, statistics, and simulation to create real solutions to real problems that companies are currently facing. He also plans to develop educational software that high school students can use to understand the basics of simulation and better visualize how simulation works in real-world applications. He hopes this will help inspire the next generation of computer programmers and mathematicians.

The CAREER Award is given to faculty members at the beginning of their academic careers and is one of NSF’s most competitive awards, placing emphasis on high-quality research and novel education initiatives.