Rui Huang, Ph.D.

Professional Summary

Data science and operations research leader with 10+ years of experience driving business impact through machine learning, optimization, and AI. Ph.D. in optimization with a strong record of solving complex problems in logistics, retail, manufacturing, and healthcare. Proven success leading global teams and delivering large-scale analytics products. Recent focus includes LLM applications in operations and NLP.

Experience

• Walmart — Associate Director of Data Science (2023–Present)
  • Leading middle mile network transformation which optimizes large-scale logistics networks.
  • Developing reinforcement learning (RL) models for inventory replenishment.
  • Developing LLM-powered text intelligence tools showcasing Walmart’s GenAI capabilities.
• Coupang – Director of Data Science (2022–2023)
  • Led a team of 10 to deliver warehouse optimization solutions.
  • Developed a VRP-based picking strategy with 10% efficiency gain.
  • Designed correlated inventory assignment boosting picking by 20%.
• Wayfair – Senior Manager, Data Science (2019–2021)
  • Built and scaled the Sort Optimization team from 1 to 5 people.
  • Led recommendation engine development contributing to $770M in annual revenue.
• Johnson & Johnson – Principal Optimization Scientist (2017–2019)
  • Founded internal optimization team; collaborated with McKinsey on procurement optimization.
  • Built optimization models for smart medical devices (patent pending).
  • Created capacity planning tools deployed in manufacturing with $17M in benefits.
• United Technologies Research Center – Research Scientist (2010–2017)
  • Led a $1M portfolio in system optimization; reduced engineering cost by 10×.
  • Published algorithms in IEEE Transactions and other journals.
  • Co-invented optimization techniques for energy pricing and elevator systems.

Education

• Ph.D., Optimization – Carnegie Mellon University
• M.Sc., Control Science and Engineering – Zhejiang University
• B.Sc., Mathematics – Zhejiang University

Skills

Python, SQL, R, PyTorch, OpenAI, Hugging Face Transformers, Gurobi, CPLEX, AWS, Azure, GCP, Docker, Airflow

Selected Publications

• Huang, R. et al. “Robust stability of nonlinear model predictive control with extended Kalman filter.” Int. J. Robust Nonlinear Control, 2013.
• Chiang, N., Huang, R., Zavala, V. “Augmented Lagrangian Filter Method.” IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 2017.
• Huang, R. “Lyapunov stability of NMPC for cyclic processes.” J. of Process Control, 2011.
• Huang, R., Zavala, V. “Real-time optimization strategies for large-scale systems.” Computers & Chemical Engineering, 2010.
• Huang, R., et al. “Robust extended kalman filter based nonlinear model predictive control formulation” Proceedings of the 48th IEEE · 2009.
• Huang, R., Zavala, V. “Stability of economically-oriented nmpc with periodic constraint.” IFAC World Congress, Milan, Italy, 2011.

Selected Patents

• R. Huang, D. Wade, A. On, M. Piedra. Distribution and inventory system and method of medical products. US Patent Application Serial No. 62/854,003.
• R. Huang, Y. Wang, D. Vrabie, S. Krishnamurthy. System and Method of Maintaining Performance of a System, US Patent application NO. PA-0031158-US.
• R. Huang and D. Benitez. A method for non-intrusive load monitoring based on optimization approach. US Patent application NO. 13/049.695.

Capstone Projects

• Udacity_leard
  Repository for the Udacity course.
• Course Collaboration Travel Plans
  Forked project for collaborative travel planning.
• Git Blog Project
  Sample blog project for Git course.
• PDSND GitHub
  Project repository for PDSND.
• DSND Term 1
  Files related to content and projects of DSND Term 1.
• Deep Learning v2 PyTorch
  Projects and exercises for deep learning with PyTorch.