Research & Publications

Dr. Nazzal’s research focuses on modeling, design, and control of discrete event logistics systems, including healthcare delivery systems, manufacturing systems, and distribution systems. Her recent work has focused on election voting systems, higher education response to COVID-19,  understanding and driving higher childhood vaccination rates in developing countries, modeling of collaborative robots in distribution systems; scheduling and dispatching policies in semiconductor manufacturing, and energy systems development. She has worked with companies, non-governmental organizations, and healthcare providers, including Georgia Department of Public Health, ExxonMobil, Emory University, Samsung, Gates Foundation, and Walt Disney World.

Refereed Journal Papers:

  1. Wu, D., Hamilton, H., Jagrowski, L., Nazzal, D., Steimle, L. (2024). Revisiting the small-world property of co-enrollment networks: A network analysis of hybrid course delivery strategies. In print. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences. Preprint DOI: https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/jp6aq
  2. Barenji, A.V.; Montreuil, B.; Babalou, S.; Nazzal, D.; Benaben, F.; DeMillo, R. 2023. An agent-based simulation platform for a safe election: From design to simulation. Information, 14, 529. https://doi.org/10.3390/info14100529
  3. Yamin, K., Jadali, N., Xie, Y., and Nazzal, D. 2023. “Novelty detection for election fraud: A case study with agent-based simulation data.” AI Magazine 00:1 -8.  https://doi.org/10.1002/aaai.12112
  4. Smalley, H. K., F. Castillo-Zunino, P. Keskinocak, D. Nazzal, Z. Sakas, M. Sarr, M.C. Freeman. 2023. Factors associated with vaccine coverage improvements in Senegal from 2005 to 2019: A quantitative retrospective analysis, to appear in BMJ Open.
  5. Sakas, Z., Hester K. A., Rodrigues, K., Diatta, S. A., Ellis, Gueye, D. M., Mapatano, D., Mboup, A. S., Oguto, E. A., Yang, C., Bednarczyk, R. A., Freeman, M. C., Sarr, S., Bueno, N., Castillo-Zunino, F., Darwar, R., Dounebaine, B., Dudgeon, M.R., Escoffery, C., Isett, K. R., Jaishwal, C., James, H., Keskinocak, P., Montagnes, B. P., Nazzal, D., Orenstein, W., Rueda Robayo, M., Rosenblum, S., Smalley, H. K., (2023). Critical success factors for high routine immunization performance: A case study of Senegal, Vaccine: X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvacx.2023.100296
  6. Hester K. A., Sakas, Z., Ellis, A. S., Bose, A. S., Darwar, R., Gautam, J., Jaishwal, C., James, H., Keskinocak, P., Nazzal, D., Oguto, E. A., Rodrigues, K., Castillo-Zunino, F., Dixit, S., Bednarczyk, R. A., Freeman, M. (2022). Critical success factors for high routine immunization performance: A case study of Nepal, Vaccine: X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvacx.2022.100214
  7. Navabi-Shirazi, , El Tonbari, M., Boland, N., Nazzal, D., Steimle, L. (2022). Multi-criteria Course Mode Selection and Classroom Reassignment Due to Reduced Densities for Social Distancing During a Sudden Pandemic. Manufacturing & Service Operations Management. https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.1131
  8. Freeman, M., Micek, K., Hester K. A., Castillo-Zunino, F., Chanda C., Darwar, R.; Dounebaine, B., Ellis, A. S., Keskinocak P., Leslie, A., Manyando, M., Manyando, M. S., Nazzal, D., Ogutu, E. A., Sakas, Z., Kilembe, W., Bednarczyk, R. A. (2021). “Critical success factors for routine immunization performance: A case study of Zambia 2000 to 2018” Vaccine: X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvacx.2022.100166
  9. Steimle,L., Sun, Y., Johnson, L., Besedeš, T., Mokhtarian, P., and Nazzal, D. (2022). “Students’ preferences for returning to colleges and universities during the COVID-19 pandemic: A discrete choice experiment”  Socio-Economic Planning Sciences https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seps.2022.101266.
  10. Musselman, A., Thomas, V., Nazzal, D., Venkatesh, A., Mallapragada, D.S., and  Papageorgiou, D. J. (2022). “The impact of development priorities on power generation expansion planning in sub-Saharan Africa”. Energy Systems. 13:461–492.
  11. Castillo-Zunino, F., Keskinocak, P., Nazzal, D., and Freeman, M. C. (2021). “Health spending and vaccination coverage in low-income countries”. BMJ Global Health 2021; 6:e004823.
  12. Musselman, A., Thomas, V., Boland, N., and Nazzal, D. (2019). “Optimizing wind farm siting to reduce power system impacts of wind variability”, Wind Energy, v22, p. 894-907.
  13. Siebert, M., Bartlett, K., Kim, H., Ahmed, S., Lee, J., Nazzal, D., Nemhauser, G., and Sokol, J.  (2018). “Lot targeting and lot dispatching decision policies for semiconductor manufacturing: optimisation under uncertainty with simulation validation”, International Journal of Production Research, v56, n1-2, p 629-641.
  14. Nazzal, D., Zabinski, J., Hugar, A., Reinhart, D., Karwowski, W., and Madani, K. (2015) “Sustainability in Industrial Engineering Education: a Modular Approach”, Advances in Engineering Education, an ASEE publication, v4, n4.
  15. Diabat, A., Battaia, O., and Nazzal, D. (2015). “An efficient Lagrangian relaxation-based heuristic for a joint location-inventory problem”, Computers and Operations Research, v61, p.170-178.
  16. Bozorgi, A., Pazour, J., and Nazzal, D. (2014). “A new inventory model for cold items that considers costs and emissions”. International Journal of Production Economics, v155, p. 114–125.
  17. Hillsman, C., Wang, Y., and Nazzal, D. (2013). “An analogy based costing system for injection molds based upon geometry similarity with wavelets”. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, DOI: 10.1007/s00170-013-4929-6
  18. Nazzal, D., Batarseh O., Patzner, J., and Martin, D.R. (2013). “Product servicing for lifespan extension and sustainable consumption: an optimization approach”. International Journal of Production Economics, v 142, n 1, p. 105–114.
  19. Nazzal, D., Mollaghasemi M, Hedlund, H.K., Bozorgi A. (2012). “Using genetic algorithms and an indifference-zone ranking and selection procedure under common random numbers for simulation optimization”. Journal of Simulation, v6 (1), p. 56-66.
  20. Nazzal, D. (2011). “A Closed queueing network approach to analyzing multivehicle material handling systems[1]”. IIE Transactions, v 43, n 10, p. 721-738.
  21. Hong, S., Johnson, A., Carlo, H. J., Nazzal, D., Jimenez, J. A. (2011). “Optimising the location of crossovers in conveyor-based automated material handling systems in semiconductor wafer fabs”. International Journal of Production Research, v 49, n 20, p. 6199-6226.
  22. Batarseh, O., Nazzal, D., and Wang, Y. (2010). “A metamodel approach to simulate material handling in wafer fabs”. IEEE Transactions on Semiconductor Manufacturing, v 23, n 4, p. 527–537.
  23. Nazzal, D., Jimenez, J. A., Carlo, H. J., Johnson, A., and Lasrado V. (2010). “An analytical model for conveyor-based material handling system with crossovers in semiconductor wafer fabs”. IEEE Transactions on Semiconductor Manufacturing, v 23, n 3, p. 468–476.
  24. Gammoh, D., Nazzal, D., Elshennawy, A, Furterer, S. (2010) “A framework for integrating quantitative quality function deployment with business architecture”, Journal of Management and Engineering Integration, v 3, n 1, p. 14–20.
  25. Nazzal, D. and L.F. McGinnis. (2008). “Throughput performance analysis for closed-loop vehicle-based material handling systems”.  IIE Transactions, v 40, n 11, p. 1097–1106.
  26. Nazzal, D. and McGinnis, L.F. (2007). “Expected response times for closed loop multi-vehicle automated material handling systems”. IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, v 4, n 4, p. 533–542.
  27. Nazzal, D. and McGinnis, L.F. (2007). “Analytical approach to estimating AMHS performance in 300mm fabs”. International Journal of Production Research, v 45, p. 571–590.
  28. Nazzal, D., Mollaghasemi, M. and Anderson, D. (2006) “A simulation-based evaluation of the cost of cycle time reduction in Agere Systems wafer fabrication facility – A case study”. International Journal of Production Economics v 100 n2, p. 300–313.
  29. Duwayri, Z., Mollaghasemi, M., Nazzal, D. and Rabadi, G. (2006). “Scheduling setup changes at bottleneck workstations in semiconductor manufacturing”. Production Planning & Control, v 17, p. 717–727.

Opinion Editorials and Magazine Articles

  1. Nazzal, D. (2024). Rebuilding Gaza was seen as a ‘Herculean’ task before Oct. 7; six months of bombing has led to crises that will long outlive the war. The Conversation.
  2. Fujimoto, A., Keskinocak, P., Nazzal, D. (2024). The Role of Health Equity in Quantitative Research. OR-MS Today, 51(1).
  3. Steimle, L. N., and Nazzal, D. (2020). “Georgia Tech researchers: Colleges too optimistic about social distancing“. Appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  4. Steimle, L. N., and Nazzal, D. (2020). “Does a ‘return to campus’ translate to a return to the classroom?” Appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  5. Nazzal, D., and Hillsman, C. (2010). “Better together: On the state of collaboration between academia and industry in Industrial Engineering”. Industrial Engineer.

Other Print Publications

  • Keskinocak, P., Nazzal, D., and Villareal, M. “Comprehensive Integrated Strategy for Cholera Prevention and Control: Procurement and Logistics”. Coalition for Cholera Prevention and Control. Aug. 2013.
  • Nazzal, D., and Hillsman*, C. “Better together: On the state of collaboration between academia and industry in Industrial Engineering”. Industrial Engineer. Sept. 2010.

Software and Datasets

Peer-Refereed Conference Proceedings

  1. Yamin, K., Jadali, N., Xie, Y., and Nazzal, D., Novelty Detection for Election Fraud: A Case Study with Agent-Based Simulation Data. 2023. Published in the 37th AAAI Conference of Artificial Intelligence for Credible Elections: A Call to Action with Trusted AI. February 2023, Washington D.C.
  2. Yamin, K., Oswald, M., Jadali, N., Xie, Y., Zegura, E., and Nazzal, D., “An Unsupervised Density Based Clustering Algorithm to detect election anomalies: Evidence from Georgia’s largest county”. Accepted with revisions for the Proceedings of the ACM SIGCAS Conference on Computing and Sustainable Societies, COMPASS, June 29 – July 1, 2022 Seattle, USA.
  3. Cerabona, T., Benaben, F., Montreuil, B., Vatankhah Barenji, A. and Nazzal, D., “Physics of Decision: Application to Polling Place Risk Management” Submitted to the 2021 Winter Simulation Conference Proceedings.
  4. Moradkhani, N., Benaben, F., Montreuil, B., Nazzal, D., Lauras, M., Jeany, J., and Faugère, L. “Parametrized SEIR model for performance-based decision support: A case study of COVID-19 epidemic in the state of Georgia (USA)” Submitted to the 2021 Proceedings of the 39th System Dynamics Conference.
  5. Moradkhani, N., Benaben, F., Montreuil, B., Vatankhah Barenji, A., and Nazzal, D. “Intelligent Polling Place Risk Management: A Case Study from the 2020 USA Presidential Election”. Submitted to the 2021 Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Research Challenges in Information Science.
  6. Meller, R.D., Nazzal, D., and Thomas, L. M. “Collaborative Bots in Distribution Centers”. Proceedings of the 2018 International Material Handling Research Colloquium, https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/pmhr_2018/
  7. Nazzal, D., Shanmugasundaram, S., Kim, S., and Meller, R.D. “Pull-driven Order Fulfillment in Distribution Centers”. Proceedings of the 2018 International Material Handling Research Colloquium, https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/pmhr_2018/
  8. Musselman, A., Nazzal, D., and Thomas, V. “Analyzing wind location options for the southwest power pool” Proceedings of the 2015 Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference, Nashville, USA 2015. http://www.xcdsystem.com/iie/2015_proceedings/iserc/1298.pdf
  9. Nazzal, D., and Zabinski, J. “Sustainability in Industrial Engineering Education: a Modular Approach”, Proceedings of the 2014 Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference, Montreal, Canada 2014.
  10. Lasrado, V., and Nazzal, D. “Design of a manufacturing facility layout with a closed loop conveyor with shortcuts using queueing theory and genetic algorithms”. Proceedings of the 2011 Winter Simulation Conference, 1964–1975.
  11. Hillsman, C., Wang, Y., and Nazzal, D. “A semi-automatic cost estimation framework based upon geometry similarity”. Proceedings of the 2011 Industrial Engineering Research Conference.
  12. Lasrado, V., and Nazzal, D. “Impact of variability on system performance for conveyor-based material handling”. Proceedings of the 2010 International Material Handling Research Colloquium, 328–337.
  13. Johnson, A., Carlo, H. J., Jimenez, J. A., Nazzal, , and Lasrado V. “A greedy heuristic for locating crossovers in conveyor-based AMHS in wafer fabs”. Proceedings of the 2009 Winter Simulation Conference, p. 1667–1676.
  14. McGinnis, L. F., Fowler, J. W., Iken, M. A., Meller, R. D. and Nazzal, D. “DELnet: An EVO for Discrete Event Logistics Systems”, Proceedings of the 2009 NSF CMMI Engineering Research and Innovation Conference, 1{6 (CD), Honolulu, HI, 2009.
  15. Nazzal, , Johnson, A., Carlo, H. J., and Jimenez, J. A. “An analytical model for conveyor based AMHS in semiconductor wafer fabs”. Proceedings of the 2008 Winter Simulation Conference, p. 2148-2155.
  16. Nazzal, and El-Nashar*, A. “Survey of research in modeling conveyor-based automated material handling systems in wafer fabs”. Proceedings of the 2007 Winter Simulation Conference, p. 1781-1788.
  17. Nazzal, and McGinnis, L. F. “An analytical model of vehicle-based automated material handling systems in semiconductor fabs”. Proceedings of the 2006 Winter Simulation Conference, p. 1871-1879.
  18. Nazzal, and McGinnis, L. F. “Analytical approach to estimating AMHS Performance in 300mm fabs”. Proceedings of the 2005 Conference on Modeling and Analysis of Semiconductor Manufacturing (MASM).
  19. Nazzal, and McGinnis, L. F. “Queuing models of vehicle-based automated material handling systems in semiconductor fabs”. Proceedings of the 2005 Winter Simulation Conference, p. 2464-2471.
  20. Nazzal, and McGinnis, L. F. “Analytical models of vehicle-based automated material handling systems in semiconductor fabs”. Proceeding of the 2005 International Symposium on Semiconductor Manufacturing (ISSM), p. 285-288.
  21. Nazzal, and Bodner, D. A. “A simulation-based design framework for automated material handling systems in 300mm fabrication facilities”. Proceeding of the 2003 Winter Simulation Conference, p. 1351-1359.
  22. Nazzal, and Mollaghasemi, M. “Critical tool identification and characteristics curves construction in a wafer fabrication facility”. Proceeding of the 2001 Winter Simulation Conference, p. 1194-1199.
  23. Duwayri, Z., Mollaghasemi, M. and Nazzal, “Scheduling setup changes at bottleneck facilities in semiconductor manufacturing”. Proceeding of the 2001 Winter Simulation Conference, p. 1208-1214.
  24. Nazzal, D., Mollaghasemi, M. and Malone, L. “Evaluation of the effectiveness of group-screening methods as compared to no-group-screening”. Proceedings of the 2000 Winter Simulation Conference, p. 1499-1504.