Alex Barrales-Araneda

location_on PhD Student • University of Bologna

Biomedical, Electrical, and Systems Engineering

Alex Barrales-Araneda
person About Me

Hi, my name is Alex Barrales Araneda. I am currently a PhD Student in the Biomedical, Electrical, and Systems Engineering program at the University of Bologna. Previously, I obtained the title of M.E. in Industrial Engineering, Industrial Engineer, and Bachelor of Engineering Sciences from the University of Bío-Bío.

"Hello friend. That's lame. Maybe I should give you a name, but that's a slippery slope. You're only in my head. We have to remember that."
PhD
Current Studies
M.E.
Industrial Engineering
B.S.
Engineering Sciences
insights

Research Focus

My research lies at the intersection of operations research, optimization, and data-driven decision-making, with a dual focus on public transportation systems and security applications through social network analysis. I have developed mathematical models and algorithms to support electric public transport planning, last-mile logistics, and fraud/homicide investigation using machine learning and graph optimization. I aim to design innovative, efficient, and socially impactful solutions to complex real-world problems.

Optimization Models Public Transportation Electric Buses Graph Optimization Machine Learning Security Applications

Education

My academic journey and qualifications

PhD in Biomedical, Electrical, and Systems Engineering

University of Bologna • Italy

2024 - Present
In Progress

M.E. in Industrial Engineering

University of Bío-Bío • Chile

2022

Industrial Engineer

University of Bío-Bío • Chile

2020

B.S. in Engineering Science

University of Bío-Bío • Chile

2017

Conferences & Publications

Research contributions and academic presentations

Conference
calendar_today 2024

Optimization in social networks to identify related crimes

R. Weber, C. Vairetti, F. Troncoso, S. Maldonado, A. Barrales-Araneda, V. Reyes, P. Pincheira

place EURO 2024 • Copenhagen, Denmark
Conference
calendar_today 2023

Optimization models for crime analytics applied to social networks

R. Weber, A. Barrales-Araneda, F. Troncoso

place IFORS 2023 • Santiago, Chile
Conference
calendar_today 2022

El problema del ruteo de un furgón escolar, generalizado, selectivo, con carga mixta y ventanas de tiempo

R. Riffo-Sandoval, C. Obreque, G. Latorre-Nuñez, P. Álvarez, A. Barrales-Araneda, C. Bizama

place CLAIO 2022 • Buenos Aires, Argentina
Conference
calendar_today 2022

The Multiperiod Set Team Orienteering Problem with Time Windows

N. Villanueva, C. Obreque, G. Latorre-Nuñez, P. Álvarez, A. Barrales-Araneda, C. Bizama

place CLAIO 2022 • Buenos Aires, Argentina
Conference
calendar_today 2022

El problema del ruteo de furgones escolares selectivo, con carga mixta, flota heterogénea y ventanas de tiempo

M. Villagra-Aguayo, C. Obreque, G. Latorre-Nuñez, P. Álvarez, A. Barrales-Araneda, C. Bizama

place CLAIO 2022 • Buenos Aires, Argentina
Conference
calendar_today 2022

Ruteo de furgones escolares selectivo, con carga mixta, flota homogénea y transbordo

C. Obreque, G. Latorre-Nuñez, P. Álvarez, A. Barrales-Araneda, C. Bizama, M. Villagra-Aguayo

place CLAIO 2022 • Buenos Aires, Argentina
Conference
calendar_today 2022

Finding Criminal Groups in Suspect Networks Using a Steiner Tree Approach

F. Troncoso, R. Weber, A. Barrales-Araneda

place EURO 2022 • Espoo, Finland
Conference
calendar_today 2020

Un modelo de programación lineal entera para el Median Tour Problem Generalizado con Tiempo Acumulado

A. Barrales-Araneda, C. Obreque

place VIII Encuentro de Investigación de Estudiantes de Postgrado UBB 2020 • Concepción, Chile
Conference
calendar_today 2019

Formulación y solución para el median tour problem generalizado con tiempo acumulado

A. Barrales-Araneda, C. Obreque

place OPTIMA 2019 • Santa Cruz, Chile
Conference
calendar_today 2019

Formulation for the median tour problem generalized with cumulative time

A. Barrales-Araneda, C. Obreque

place ICCL 2019 • Barranquilla, Colombia

Research Projects

Current and ongoing research initiatives

FONDEF IT23I0061, University of Bío-Bío

Ongoing
location_on Concepción, Chile Research Assistant May 2024 - Jul. 2024
FONDEF

Scaling and validation of an integrated system for crime prosecution using advanced data analytics.

Data Analytics Crime Prosecution System Integration
assignment Research Project

ISCI - ISCI Impact Fund, University of Chile

location_on Concepción, Chile Research Assistant Oct. 2023 - Mar. 2024
ISCI

Developed a specialized tool for processing large volumes of text to enhance the effectiveness of crime investigation. Created an AI-based system that translates natural language queries into SQL queries. Developed an MVP integrating natural language querying and data visualization.

Natural Language Processing AI Systems Crime Investigation
assignment Research Project

Public Prosecutor's Office, University of Chile

location_on Concepción, Chile Research Assistant Apr. 2023 - Mar. 2024
Public

Developed optimization and ML algorithms for detecting patterns in fraud and homicide cases. Enhanced Fiscal Heredia with new data sources. Led training and coordination sessions with institutional stakeholders.

Machine Learning Optimization LegalTech
assignment Research Project

FONDECYT 1221562, University of Chile

location_on Concepción, Chile Research Assistant Apr. 2023 - Mar. 2024
FONDECYT

Implemented OCoDeDANet for dynamic graph community detection. Ran benchmarks and contributed to scientific publication on overlapping communities.

Graph Algorithms Community Detection Dynamic Networks
assignment Research Project

Project 2160285 GI/EF, University of Bío-Bío

Ongoing
location_on Concepción, Chile Research Assistant Mar. 2022 - Present
Project

Collaborated with AMDEL on waste collection logistics. Co-authored papers in Operations Research. Participated in university-industry transport/logistics project development.

Logistics Operations Research Sustainability
assignment Research Project

FONDEF ID20I10230, University of Bío-Bío

location_on Concepción, Chile Research Assistant Nov. 2021 - Mar. 2023
FONDEF

Created models to identify criminal groups through social network analysis. Delivered Fiscal Heredia prototype to Prosecutor's Office. Presented at CLAIO, EURO, and IFORS conferences.

Social Network Analysis Optimization Crime Analysis
assignment Research Project

Project UBB 2155, University of Bío-Bío

location_on Concepción, Chile Research Assistant Jun. 2021 - Dec. 2021
Project

Analyzed public transport GPS data for congestion studies. Evaluated school transport policies in Chillán.

Transportation Public Policy Data Analysis
assignment Research Project

FONDECYT 1181036, University of Chile

location_on Santiago, Chile Research Assistant Mar. 2021 - Mar. 2022
FONDECYT

Developed algorithms for dynamic social networks. Submitted results to WoS-indexed journal.

Dynamic Networks Algorithm Design Community Detection
assignment Research Project

Project ING 2030 I+D 20-45, University of Bío-Bío

location_on Concepción, Chile Research Assistant Aug. 2020 - Mar. 2021
Project

Worked on MIP model for School Bus Routing Problem. Developed mobile app for school transport communication.

Routing Problems Mobile Development Transportation
assignment Research Project

Research Group, GI 171411/EF, University of Bío-Bío

location_on Concepción, Chile Research Assistant Aug. 2018 - Dec. 2018
Research

Formulated and implemented model for GMTP with latency. Presented findings at ICCL and OPTIMA 2019.

Linear Programming Tour Optimization Academic Research
assignment Research Project

Spatial Economics Laboratory, University of Bío-Bío

location_on Concepción, Chile Research Assistant Aug. 2017 - Aug. 2018
Spatial

Analyzed sociodemographic and survey data for Concepción's mobility plan. Processed logistics data for National Congress study.

Urban Planning Data Processing Policy Research
assignment Research Project