Newswise — Maria Gisela Bardossy, assistant professor of decision science in the University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business, received a first-place award from the nationally recognized Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences for her doctoral dissertation exploring computer network design. "Dual-Based Local Search for Deterministic, Stochastic, and Robust Variants of the Connected Facility Location Problem" earned Bardossy first-place recognition—the SOLA-Air Products Bi-Annual Dissertation Award—from the organization this past November. The Institute for Operations Research holds a competition for the dissertation prize on location-related research bi-annually. Bardossy worked on the dissertation as part of her doctoral program through the University of Maryland College Park. She earned her Ph.D. in management science in 2011 through that institution's Robert H. Smith School of Business. Bardossy said her research focused on optimizing networks that help provide companies with lower cost solutions in locating data and server warehouses, cell towers and distribution centers for large retailers. "Imagine you are a telecommunications company looking to put up new cell towers," she said. "Using this algorithm, you can locate the ideal or close to ideal location for that tower. The results are generated within seconds or so—a lot faster than typical models that could take a few hours. Having this information allows you to build more efficient and cost effective networks and ultimately provides better customer service and financial benefits to a company." Darlene Smith, dean of the Merrick School of Business, praised Bardossy's work as an example of university research potentially impacting the bottom line of American companies. "How to make better decisions, faster and more accurately and at a lower cost are problems organizations are continually trying to solve," Smith said. "Gisela's research is a testament to her innovative way of thinking. We are thrilled to have her on the faculty and are excited about her future research contributions." Bardossy also holds an M.S. from Clemson University's Department of Mathematical Sciences, a B.S. from the Universidad Catolica de Cordoba, Facultad de Ingenieria, and Licentiate from the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, Facultad de Administracion. Learn more about Bardossy's work and her recognition by the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences. The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UB School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.