MCD (Meike) Reusken

Meike Reusken obtained her PhD in Operations Research at the Zero Hunger Lab of Tilburg University (2024). In her PhD thesis, she provides possible solutions to address the complexities and uncertainties of real-world challenges in food security through mathematical optimization and collaboration with food assistance programs. In 2022, Meike conducted a research visit at the Interuniversity Research Centre on Enterprise Networks, Logistics and Transportation (CIRRELT) in Montréal, Canada. For the research in Reusken et al. (2023), Meike received the 2024 Analytics for a Better World Award, second place, provided by the Foundation for the Dutch Data Science Awards and KHMW.

Meike's research focuses on developing mathematical methods for optimization under uncertainty, aiming to support humanitarian operations and provide new insights within the field of Operations Research. She addresses real uncertainties in the humanitarian context, such as fluctuating demand, unpredictable accessibility of areas, limited resources, and the data-driven dependencies between these factors. Through the development of new optimization techniques and collaboration with practice, her research contributes to better decision-making and more efficient operational processes for humanitarian organizations.

Part of the Sector Plan Technology network, see: Discipline Technische Bedrijfs- en Bestuurskunde – Ontdek hoe wij technologie, management en beleid combineren om complexe maatschappelijke uitdagingen aan te pakken.

Research:

Reusken, M., Coffey, C., Cruijssen, F., Melenberg, B., and van Wanrooij, C. (2025). Identification of factors associated with acute malnutrition in children under 5 years and forecasting future prevalence: assessing the potential of statistical and machine learning methods. BMJ Public Health, 3:e001460.

Reusken, M., Cruijssen, F., and Fleuren, H. (2023). A food bank supply chain
model: Optimizing investments to maximize food assistance. International
Journal of Production Economics, 261, 108886.

Reusken, M., Laporte, G., Rohmer, S. U. K., and Cruijssen, F. (2024). Vehicle
routing with stochastic demand, service and waiting times – The case
of food bank collection problems. European Journal of Operational Research,
317(1):111–127.

Reusken, M. (2024). Optimization under uncertainty for food security. [Doctoral Thesis, Tilburg University]. CentER, Center for Economic Research.