Fatma Gzara, PEng

I am Professor at the Department of Management Sciences, University of Waterloo; and co-founder and co-director of WANOPT, the Waterloo Analytics and Optimization Lab. I hold a Ph.D. from McGill University, M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees from Bilkent University, and a Professional Engineering designation in Canada. My primary research interests are in large scale optimization and supply chain analytics. My current research focusses on data analytics, emerging technologies in logistics and distribution, and optimization under uncertainty. Recently, I led several industry collaborations on data analytics and optimization funded by NSERC, OCE, and MITACS. My work appeared in Transportation Science, EJOR, IISE Transactions, Informs Journal on Optimization, Journal of Global Optimization, Omega: The International Journal of Management Science, Networks, Computers and OR, and Optimization letters, among others.

I am the recipient of the University of Waterloo’s distinguished and outstanding performance awards in 2010, 2016, and 2021.

I was assistant professor at York University from 2006 to 2009. Prior to that, I held a postdoctoral position at the University of Alberta, School of Business.

• Operations research

• large scale optimization

• optimization under uncertainty

• network design and analysis

• supply chain management

• hazmat transportation

• airline operations planning

• Data Analytics Research

• 2003, Doctorate, Management Science/Operations Management, McGill University, Canada

• 1997, Master's Thesis, Industrial Engineering, Bilkent University, Turkey

• 1995, Bachelor's, Industrial Engineering, Bilkent University, Turkey

• 2024 Best Paper Award, Transportation Science Journal

• 2024 A conversation with Dr. Fatma Gzara, Women in Research Council Fireside Chat, Ontario Tech University

• 2023 Keynote Speaker, Tunisian Operational Research Society Annual meeting, TORS 2023, Tunisia.

• 2022 Outstanding Performance Award, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo

• 2022 Eldon Gunn Service Award, Canadian Operational Research Society

• 2021 Distinguished Performance Award, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo

• 2015 Outstanding Performance Award, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo

• 2010 Distinguished Performance Award, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo

• El Hajj H, Elhedhli S, and Gzara F, Efficient and Equitable Strategic Disaster Preparedness, European Journal of Operational Research, 2025

• Biswal A, Rambhatla S, and Gzara F, Embedding-Based Representation Learning for Forecasting Flight Characteristics, Transportation Research Record, 2025

• Alnaggar A, Gzara F, and Bookbinder JH, Heatmap design for crowdsourced delivery, Transportation Science 59 (1), 81-103, 2025

• Stuive L and Gzara F, Airspace Network Design for Urban UAV Traffic Management with Congestion, Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies 169, 2024

• Alnaggar A, Gzara F, and Bookbinder JH, Compensation Guarantees in Crowdsourced Delivery: Impact on Platform and Driver Welfare, Omega – The International Journal of Management Science, 122, 2024

• Kinay O, Gzara F, and Alumur SA, Charging station location and sizing for electric vehicles considering user behavior and congestion, Transportation Science 57(6), 1433-1451, 2023

• Baloch G, Gzara F, and Elhedhli S, Risk-based allocation of COVID-19 PPE under limited supply, European Journal of Operational Research 310(3), 1085-1100, 2023

• Baloch G, Gzara F, and Elhedhli S, COVID-19 PPE distribution planning with demand priorities and supply uncertainties, Computers and Operations Research, 146, 2022

• Bayram V, Baloch G, Gzara F, and Elhedhli S, Optimal order batching in warehouse management: A data driven robust approach, Informs Journal on Optimization 4(3), 278-303, 2022

• Kinay O, Gzara F, and Alumur SA, Full cover refueling station location problem with routing, Transportation Research Part B: Methodological 144, 1-22, 2021

• Alnaggar A, Gzara F, and Bookbinder JH, Crowdsourced delivery: A review of platforms and academic literature, Omega: The International Journal of Management Science, 102 – 139, 2021

• Gzara F, Elhedhli S, and Yildiz B, The pallet loading problem: three-dimensional bin packing with practical constraints, European Journal of Operational Research 287(3), 1062-1074, 2020

• Baloch G and Gzara F, Strategic network design for parcel delivery with drones under competition, Transportation Science 54 (1), 204 – 228, 2020

• Lu D and Gzara F, The robust vehicle routing problem with time windows: Solution by Branch and Price and Cut, European Journal of Operational Research 275 (3), 925 – 938, 2019

• Elhedhli S, Gzara F, and Yildiz B, Three-dimensional bin packing and mixed-case palletization, Informs Journal on Optimization 1 (4), 323 – 352, 2019

• Chipotle Announces Major Food Delivery Update
• Interview on the global supply chain crisis
• CP Rail workers could be locked out this weekend. If they are, expect to see more supply shortages — and even higher prices
• Seven researchers receive Graham Seed Fund awards