DRRN Member Highlights: Babak Tosarkani

Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your current research?

I am Dr. Babak Mohamadpour Tosarkani, an Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan, where I lead the Industrial & Systems Engineering Research Group. My research focuses on developing intelligent decision support systems, supply chain resilience, and sustainable operations, with a strong emphasis on data-driven optimization and blockchain applications.

One of my key areas of interest is enhancing disaster resilience through supply chain analytics and emergency logistics. My work aligns with the BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) by advancing methodologies for efficient resource allocation, rapid emergency response, and climate-adaptive supply chains. By integrating robust optimization, machine learning, and blockchain technology, my research aims to develop solutions that support proactive decision-making and improve community preparedness in the face of disruptions.

What motivated you to become a part of the DRRN community?

I joined the DRRN community because I believe interdisciplinary research is the key to making informed decisions in disaster risk management. Complex challenges in disaster resilience require collaboration across disciplines, integrating engineering, policy, and social sciences to develop holistic solutions. DRRN provides a platform where a diverse group of researchers work together on interdisciplinary research to enhance disaster risk and resilience. The network’s commitment to promoting inclusive and equitable disaster research aligns with my goal of advancing sustainable, data-driven approaches that benefit all communities. Through this collaboration, I aim to contribute to disaster risk reduction policies and evidence-based decision-making for individuals, communities, organizations, and governments. By leveraging the expertise within DRRN, we can develop more effective decision support systems and resilient supply chains to strengthen emergency management and climate adaptation efforts.

What do you wish practitioners or policymakers would ask you about your research? What insights would you like to share with them?

I wish practitioners and policymakers would ask how data-driven decision support system, supply chain resilience, and sustainable operations can enhance disaster preparedness and response. My research focuses on optimizing resource allocation by adopting data-driven decision support system during disasters. One key insight I’d like to share is how intelligent modeling and data analytics can improve disaster risk reduction by enabling real-time decision-making, scenario planning, and adaptive supply chain management. Effective disaster response requires resilient and flexible supply networks, ensuring that critical resources such as medical supplies and emergency aid reach affected communities efficiently and equitably.

I also encourage policymakers to consider how interdisciplinary collaboration—combining engineering, social sciences, and policy frameworks—can bridge the gap between research and practice, leading to more effective emergency management strategies. Through evidence-based decision-making and proactive risk mitigation approaches, we can significantly enhance the resilience of communities facing climate-related disasters and other emergencies.

How do you see yourself leveraging DRRN’s interdisciplinary approach in your work? What is your vision for the network?

Leveraging DRRN’s interdisciplinary approach is essential for developing a comprehensive decision support system that integrates multiple dimensions of sustainability, including economic feasibility, environmental impact, and social equity. Addressing disaster risk and resilience requires expertise beyond engineering—collaborating with researchers in geography, social sciences, environmental studies, and information systems ensures that decision support system models capture real-world complexities and effectively serve diverse communities.

For example, geographers provide insights into spatial analysis and risk mapping, optimizing evacuation routes and resource distribution. Social scientists contribute to understanding community behavior, risk perception, and cultural considerations, including the unique needs of Indigenous communities, ensuring that disaster response strategies are inclusive and equitable. Environmental experts assess climate impacts, helping integrate sustainability into disaster planning. Information systems specialists enhance real-time data sharing and integration, crucial for coordinating emergency responses. Engineers, particularly those in operations research and supply chain analytics, design robust, data-driven models for optimizing resource allocation under uncertainty. My vision for DRRN is to strengthen collaboration among these diverse disciplines to develop integrated and practical solutions for disaster resilience. By combining these perspectives, we can build a more adaptive, transparent, and efficient decision support system that enhances emergency decision-making while fostering long-term sustainability, equity, and climate adaptation efforts.

What future developments in disaster resilience research are you most interested in or concerned about?

One of the most critical future developments in disaster resilience research is advancing information-sharing technologies to enable real-time communication and feedback. In disaster scenarios, every second counts, and delays in reporting or response coordination can lead to severe consequences. Developing transparent, secure, and efficient communication channels can enhance collaboration among emergency responders, policymakers, and communities. Data-driven decision support system can facilitate trustworthy and decentralized data sharing, reducing misinformation and improving coordination across agencies.

In my recent research proposals, I have focused on integrating decision support systems with predictive analytics and multi-objective optimization models for emergency logistics and evacuation planning. These innovations aim to enhance coordination, transparency, and adaptability in disaster response, ensuring a proactive rather than reactive approach to emergency management.

Relevant Research:

Ferdous, O., Yousefi, S., & Tosarkani, B. M. (2025). A multi-disruption risk analysis system for sustainable supply chain resilience. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 116, 105136.

Lakzaei, S., Rahmani, D., Tosarkani, B. M., & Nasiri, S. (2023). Integrated optimal scheduling and routing of repair crew and relief vehicles after disaster: a novel hybrid solution approach. Annals of Operations Research, 328(2), 1495-1522.