Interview with Jerry Yurchisin, Senior Data Science Strategist, discussing Gurobi, a mathematical optimization solver company.
In the world of data science and artificial intelligence (AI), mathematical optimization is increasingly becoming a crucial tool for businesses seeking to make informed and future-proof decisions. At the forefront of this movement is Jerry Yurchisin, Senior Data Science Strategist at Gurobi Optimization.
With over a decade of experience in data science, mathematical optimization, and related fields, Yurchisin has made a significant impact at Gurobi, contributing to the company's core mission and product development. His work primarily focuses on reaching out to data science and AI communities, demonstrating the benefits of mathematical optimization, and integrating decision science, AI, and mathematical optimization in industry applications.
A Career Dedicated to Optimization
Yurchisin's journey into data science and mathematical optimization is marked by significant roles. Early in his career, he worked with OnLocation, Inc., where he applied linear programming techniques to the U.S. National Energy Modeling System. Later, he progressed to Booz Allen Hamilton, where he developed optimization and machine learning solutions for federal agencies. Since joining Gurobi Optimization, he has been instrumental in integrating decision science, AI, and mathematical optimization in industry applications, such as airline pricing.
Yurchisin's work in airline pricing reflects an evolution from traditional revenue management approaches to sophisticated, AI-enhanced dynamic pricing strategies that incorporate real-time external factors beyond historical data. This approach helps balance profit, fairness, and customer trust, making airline pricing more dynamic and responsive to market conditions.
Gurobi's Optimization Tools
At Gurobi, Yurchisin has also been involved in creating educational content, such as lessons in the "Optimization for Data Scientists" training series. The company offers a range of tools to support large-scale optimization projects, including the Gurobi Compute Server, which offloads intense computations onto dedicated and clustered servers, and the Gurobi Instant Cloud, which allows users to run the Optimizer on their choice of Azure or AWS cloud environments at scale.
Moreover, Gurobi provides a mathematical optimization solver, the Gurobi Optimizer, which is renowned as the world's fastest. This solver helps businesses find optimal solutions to complex problems, aiding them in making better decisions. The NFL, for example, uses Gurobi's optimization tools to simplify the process of creating the most exciting and fair schedule possible, while generating and analyzing over 50,000 schedules in the time it used to take them to generate only five options.
Educating the Next Generation of Optimization Experts
Yurchisin finds it rewarding to be a part of Gurobi's efforts to educate data scientists on mathematical optimization. He worked with partners and Gurobi Experts to develop engaging and approachable content for the "Optimization for Data Scientists" training series. Gurobi also offers support from a team of PhD-level experts, providing comprehensive guidance and technical assistance to help users get from proof of concept to production.
In an era where data-driven decision-making is paramount, Yurchisin's work at Gurobi is driving wider adoption of optimization projects. His background in Integrated Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, and Statistics, coupled with his practical industry applications, makes him an ideal advocate for the integration of mathematical optimization into the skillset of data scientists and AI professionals.
- Jerry Yurchisin's contributions at Gurobi Optimization extend beyond product development, as he also focuses on educating data science and AI communities about the benefits of mathematical optimization, often integrating decision science, AI, and mathematical optimization in industry applications like airline pricing.
- The finance industry can leverage the power of data-and-cloud-computing and mathematical optimization, as demonstrated by Gurobi Optimization's tools, such as the Gurobi Compute Server, Gurobi Instant Cloud, and the Gurobi Optimizer, which is known as the world's fastest mathematical optimization solver, helping businesses make informed decisions based on optimal solutions.
