Sheldon
H. Jacobson Ph.D.
University
of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Founder Professor in Computer
Science
Director, Bed Time Research Institute
Director, Institute
for Computational Redistricting
Director, Simulation and Optimization Laboratory
201 North Goodwin Avenue
(MC-258)
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois 61801-2302
Telephone: (217) 244-7275
Fax: (217) 265-4035
Skype: sheldon.jacobson1
Email: shj@illinois.edu
Twitter: @shjanalytics
Professional Awards,
Honors, and Recognitions
Muck Rack Page (communication
activities)
For the Media:
Areas of Expertise
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9042-8750
Primary and Affiliate Appointments:
Professor of Computer
Science
Professor of Electrical
and Computer Engineering
Professor of Industrial
and Enterprise Systems Engineering
Professor of Mathematics
(College of Liberal Arts and Science)
Professor of Statistics
(College of Liberal Arts and Science)
Professor, Carle
Illinois College of Medicine
Founding Director: Institute for Computational
Redistricting (ICOR)
Founding Director: Bed
Time Research Institute
(BTRI)
Web Sites of Interest within
the BTRI
1) March Madness 2023... What are your bracket odds? Visit Bracketodds
for help with your Men’s and Women’s brackets.
2) What drives obesity? Visit Driving Obesity for the
answer.
3) Interested in ending gerrymandering?
Visit the Institute for
Computational Redistricting (ICOR).
Information
of Interest
Broader Impacts: How research supported by
the National Science Foundation makes the world better for all. Read the Workshop Report: Setting
a Broader Impacts Innovation Roadmap.
In
the News
2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 and earlier
(20 May 2024, The
Closing Bell, WLS-890 Chicago, IL, Bret Gogoel) “Hospital Cyberattacks, the Grandma McFlurry, and the Cost of Traveling” speaks
with Jacobson on the new Department of Transportation automatic refund policy
for air tickets, based on his op-ed in the Chicago
Tribune (available 24:00 to 30:28).
(20 May 2024, CNBC, Todd Wasserman) “With JP Morgan, Mastercard on board
in biometric ‘breakthrough’ year, you may soon start paying with your face” quotes
Jacobson on the evolution of facial recognition into retail and issues related
to privacy.
(19 March 2024, ESPN,
Ryan Hockensmith) “How one fan came close to a perfect March
Madness bracket” references strategies
from the bracketodds web site and quotes
Jacobson on upsets in the tournament.
(18 March 2024, Associated
Press, Mark Anderson) “Bettors counting on upsets as they put
money on long shots this March Madness” references the bracketodds web site and quotes
Jacobson on how the Selection Committee seeded teams.
(18 March 2024, Washington
Post, Neil Greenberg) “10 March Madness tips from a certified
bracket master” references strategies
from the bracketodds web site and quotes
Jacobson on how to sensibly fill out your bracket.
(13 March 2024, National
Geographic, Ronan O’Connell) “PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR: We explain U.S.
expedited travel programs” quotes Jacobson on the
benefits associated with TSA PreCheck.
(12 March 2024, Consumer
Affairs, Kristen Dalli) “TSA is testing out a self-service
screening system at Las Vegas.” quotes Jacobson on the
new airport screening system being launched at Las Vegas Harry Reid
International airport.
(13 December 2023, CBS Philadelphia, Alexandra Simon and Liz
Crawford) “TSA sets record for most guns confiscated at Philadelphia International
Airport in year” provides commentary from Jacobson on the risks associated with
firearms being brought to airport security checkpoints.
(16 November 2023, CBS (News) Money Watch, Megan Cerullo) “Flights in 2023 are cheaper than last year. Here’s how to get the best deals” quotes Jacobson on how to find the best airfares for holiday travel.
(30 October 2023, WGN
Radio 720, John Williams) “U of I professor explains
why we should stop changing clocks twice a year” features Jacobson as a
guest discussing a simple solution to changing the clocks twice each year.
29 October 2023, Voice
of America, Dora Mekouar) “How old is too old to
lead?” quotes Jacobson
on the risks associated with older elected officials.
(4 July 2023, CNN Business, Jon Sarlin) “When
will the US lift the liquid ban in airports?” interviews Jacobson on when the TSA liquid ban will be relaxed.
(14 June 2023, New York Post, Thomas Barrabi)
“’AI
‘deepfakes’ poised to wreak havoc on 2024 presidential election: experts” quotes Jacobson on the use of generative AI in the leadup to the 2024
presidential election.
(12 June 2023, USA Today Network, Douglas Soule) “’Wild
West’ of AI campaign warfare: DeSantis launches attack ad with fake Fauci
images” quotes Jacobson on the use of generative AI in election ads.
Potential PhD Graduate
Students
Research Opportunities in
Operations Research
Secrets to Learn
Before you Graduate
Visit the Media and Outreach
Presentation
For a seminar on
bracketology:
March
Madness and Advanced Analytics: Improving Your Bracket Odds
Looking for a Ph.D. Advisor?
Zen and
the Art of Hiring and Advising Graduate Students
Interested in
Jacobson’s “TED-type” Talk slides?
Interested in supporting Jacobson’s research on policy, public
health, societal issues, or bracketology?
Visit Benefunder.
Research Areas and Interests
Theory/AI Interface (Operations
Research)
Advanced Analytics and Data
Science (Big Data, Computational Public Health & Social Sciences, Health
Informatics)
Industrial Engineering
Current Research Thrusts
Data-driven
Causal Inference (BIG Data Analytics Using Discrete Optimization)
Security
Screening (Data-driven Decision-making Under Uncertainty, Game Theory)
Algorithmic
Political Districting (Graph Theory, Artificial Intelligence)
Branch and Bound
Strategies for discrete optimization problems (Theory/Artificial Intelligence)
Bracketology
Data Analytics (Sports Analytics)
Infectious
Disease Screening and quarantining strategies (Decision-making Under
Uncertainty)
Obesity, Energy,
and Transportation (Public Health Data Analytics)
Mass Murder and
Violence Trends in Society (Public Health Data Analytics)
Research (Peer
Reviewed) Articles
Computer Simulation Methodology and
Modeling
Discrete Optimization Algorithms
(Exact and Approximation)
Stochastic Models,
On-line Optimization, and Sequential Decision-Making
Aviation Security
System Design and Analysis
Health Care Systems Engineering,
Modeling, and Analysis
Immunization and
Vaccine Economics
Transportation, Obesity, and Public
Health
Causal Inference,
Districting Problems, and Election Forecasting
Sports Analytics:
NCAA Bracketology
Applications of Operations Research
Other
Publications
Book Chapters
Professional
Magazines, Public Writings
Conference
Proceedings Papers
Professional
Activities
Presentations,
Seminars, and Posters
Sponsored Research
Dissertation,
Theses, and Projects Directed
Teaching and Service
Activities
Jacobson's
Web Site on the Computer Science Web Page
Sheldon H. Jacobson, Ph.D.
201 North Goodwin Avenue (MC-258)
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois 61801-2302
Telephone: (217) 244-7275
Fax: (217) 244-6869
Skype: sheldon.jacobson1
Email: shj@illinois.edu
Twitter: @shjanalytics
Last Updated: 28 October 2024
First Posted: 25 June 1999
