ERIC SOLANO
ericssolano@gmail.com – (919) 491-6481
Summary of Professional Experience
Eric Solano has more than 20 years of experience applying his training as a data scientist, mathematical
modeler, and engineer and his experience with multiple information technology tools to work in a variety
of multidisciplinary projects. He joined Pactera Technology International Limited in June 2015 as a
Senior Data Scientist. Dr. Solano’s primary area of expertise is systems and data analysis and modeling
and simulation for science and engineering. He develops and analyzes science and engineering systems
that require modeling and uses technologies such as microsimulation, operations research, optimization,
decision-support systems, model verification, and model validation.
Dr. Solano’s business development interests include the identification of business problems that could be
solved with data science via the extraction of valuable information from data to inform decision making.
The process includes the decomposition of the business problem in pieces, the use of data mining and
other methodologies (operations research, statistics, mathematical modeling, databases, etc.) to process
and analyze the data to extract valuable information, and the identification of business solutions and
value.
His research interests include the creation, assessment, validation, and implementation of new
mathematical models to better understand the complexities of public health issues and environmental and
energy-efficient systems. Other research areas of interest are risk assessment and management for critical
infrastructures and the use of agent-based models for environmental modeling. Other important research
areas are as follows: In the public health area, environmental health, modeling of substance abuse,
infectious diseases and chronic diseases, and in the engineering area, water resources, water quality, solid
waste management, infrastructure resilience, and energy consumption and efficiency.
He has experience with system dynamics, genetic algorithms, neural networks, linear and nonlinear
optimization, Markov decision processes, and stochastic optimization. Dr. Solano also has experience
with high-performance computing tools in simulations, modeling, and programming and experience with
object-oriented programming and integrates this technology with databases. He is a registered
Professional Engineer.
Education
PhD, Civil/Environmental/Systems Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 1999.
MS, Civil Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 1996.
BS (5-year degree), Civil Engineering, University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica, 1991.
Data Science Skills
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Advanced Analytics Techniques: Mathematical optimization techniques, such as linear, integer, and
dynamic programming; genetic algorithms; multi-objective programming and modeling to generate
alternatives; artificial intelligence. Use of optimization tools: CPLEX, COIN LP.
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Predictive Mathematical Modeling and Analytics Tools: Repast, AnyLogic, eclipse, Systems
Dynamics, Dynamical Systems, Discrete Event Modeling, Agent-Based Modeling, Model Ensembles,
Data Visualization.
Data Mining Techniques: Classification: Decision Trees, Random Forests, Artificial Neural
Networks, Nearest Neighbor classifiers. Supervised Learning: linear regression, decision trees,
logistic regression.
Statistical techniques and tools: MATLAB, SAS, R, non-linear regression, survival analysis, time
series analysis, network theory.
Machine learning: Supervised learning: Linear Regression, Decision Trees, Ensembles, k-NN, Naïve
Bayes, Neural networks, Logistic Regression, etc.
Statistical modeling and inference: R, SAS.
Mathematical modeling and simulation: agent-based modeling, discrete-time models, dynamic
systems, systems dynamics. Platforms: Repast, eclipse, AnyLogic.
System analysis techniques: Mathematical optimization techniques, such as linear, integer, and
dynamic programming; genetic algorithms; multi-objective programming and modeling to generate
alternatives; artificial intelligence: neural networks.
Operating systems: LINUX (Fedora, Red Hat, Debian Ubuntu), Windows NT, Windows XP, DOS
Programming languages: Object-oriented programming; Java Platform, Visual Basic.NET; Nonobject oriented languages: Visual Basic 6.0, VBA, PL/SQL.
Relational database management systems: Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, MS Access
Geographical information systems: ESRI Software, Oracle Spatial.
Web application development tools: J2EE, Servlets/JSP, Struts, Spring, Hibernate, HTML/XML,
Cold Fusion, Javascript.
High-performance computing tools: MATLAB Distributed Computing Toolbox, MATLAB Simulink,
Moab Cluster Management System.
Professional Certifications
Diplomate, Water Resources Engineer. American Academy of Water Resources Engineers, May 2011
Professional Engineer Certification, North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors
(NCBELS), October 2008
Engineering Intern Certificate, NCBELS, June 2007
Selected Project Experience
Software Engineering Defect Prediction (2015 – to date). Developed predictive models using R and
machine learning to leverage code metrics and code process metrics to predict whether a software product
is defective or not. Implemented supervised learning classification algorithms to train code metrics data
and help client anticipate what new software products could be defective. Client is using predictions to try
to allocate software testing resources more efficiently.
Consumer’s Sentiment Analysis of Popular Mobile Phone Brands using Social Media data (2015 – to
date). Preliminary consumer’s sentiment analyses of popular mobile phone brands were performed using
twitter data. Sentiment analysis included basic tasks of determining the polarity (e.g. positive, negative or
neutral) of expressions included in the tweets. Beyond polarity, an attempt to classify emotions (e.g. joy,
anger, etc.) was made about the devices in general. In addition to analyses about the devices as a whole,
the datasets were analyzed to try to determine polarity and emotions about specific device features
(camera, screen, etc.). Some interesting highlights from the results include: the general polarity seems to
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be more positive than negative for all devices, and negative emotions seem to be unimportant for all
devices. This preliminary study can be improved by analyzing larger data sample sizes from twitter and
other social media sources.
MSW DST Development (1994 - 2015). Helped develop a quantitative framework to aid in decision
making for integrated municipal solid waste (MSW) management. The MSW Decision Support Tool
(MSW DST) uses a flexible framework to represent many site-specific issues and considerations. It
incorporates both cost and environmental objectives. The environmental objectives are defined in terms of
life cycle inventories of energy and emissions (of carbon monoxide, fossil- and biomass-derived carbon
dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, particulate matter [PM], and PM10) and greenhouse gases)
associated with MSW management strategies. The application of the MSW DST was demonstrated
through realistic hypothetical case studies. Several MSW management scenarios of typical interest to U.S.
municipalities were studied. Through these illustrative applications, the flexibility and capabilities of the
MSW DST were demonstrated.
The MSW DST has an optimization module that selects the best group of technology options based on
cost or environmental criteria. Developed the mathematical model that constitutes the optimization core in
the tool. This mathematical model is represented by a set of linear equations that constitute the input of a
linear programming (LP) solver. The first version of the MSW DST uses the powerful commercial LP
solver CPLEX ®. The MSWDST is comprised of multiple modules. The MSW models are written in
VB.NET to represent the objectives functions and thousands of constraints and decision variables in a
Linear Programing formulation. The MSW models use object oriented programming to represent the
optimization problem components as objects and to convert these abstractions into LP and Mathematical
Programming System (MPS) file formats in memory. The LP or MPS optimization problem is then
loaded into CPLEX via Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) to find for an optimal solution using the Simplex
algorithm. If an infeasible solution is found, potential causes for its infeasibility are suggested. If a
feasible solution is found, the optimal decision variables are re-arranged and interpreted to represent the
subject matter objects and to create reports with the optimal solution.
The MSWDST also includes multi-objective optimization capabilities to choose the objective function
among competing objective functions such as cost, environmental emissions, energy consumption and
recycling levels. The CPLEX DLL engine was used repeatedly to obtain the Pareto surface for convex
multi-objective instances. Additionally, the CPLEX DLL engine was used to obtain near optimal
solutions for a specific objective function. The Modeling to Generate Alternatives (MGA) methodology
was used to alter the LP formulation submitted to the CPLEX DLL to obtain multiple interesting near
optimal solution.
Topological Insulators for Meso Dynamic Architectures (2014 - 2015). The objective of this project was
to study the metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth of ultrathin (≤ 300nm)
Bi0.1Sb1.9Te3 thin films. It is a unique semiconductor, which was being explored for its potential as an
efficient thermoelectric material for refrigeration or portable power generation. In this project, a series of
statistically designed experiments (SDEs) were conducted to optimize the Bi0.1Sb1.9Te3 growth process. In
these experiments, several materials’ properties were tracked (mobility, resistivity, carrier concentration,
Seebeck, film thickness, growth rate, elemental percentage, surface morphology); however, the primary
focus was power factor (measured in µW/K2-cm). Used statistical learning, cluster analysis, and
multivariate regression models.
Options for Sustainable Waste Management in the City of Durham (2014 - 2015). A sustainable waste
management system can reduce the resources expended by the City of Durham to manage its waste while
minimizing impacts to health and the environment. It also can shift the view of waste from unusable
materials to valuable commodities that can be used to grow industries and associated jobs. Current
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sustainability programs are expected to result in many benefits, including decreasing the use of virgin
materials in products or processes, economic development opportunities for material recyclers, and social
benefits. In addition to benefits, additional (and perhaps unforeseen) economic, social, and environmental
impacts may result from new municipal solid waste (MSW) management strategies. Thus, decision
makers must balance the objectives of promoting sustainable waste management with the need to protect
human health and the environment, as well as to minimize any negative economic or social impacts. A
MSW Decision Support Tool (MSW DST) was used for this study. The study provided a profile of
current solid waste operations and infrastructure provided by the City of Durham. It presented and
summarized results from the analyses of targeted waste management options and strategies that were
defined in collaboration with City of Durham staff.
Smart Grid Data and Electric Power Load Forecasting (2013 - 2015). Accurate models for electric
power load forecasting are essential to the operation and planning of a utility company. Load forecasting
helps an electric utility make important decisions, including purchasing and generating electric power,
load switching, and infrastructure development. In this project, he developed methodologies using agentbased model simulations and synthetic populations that could help develop a new electric forecasting
paradigm. In this new paradigm, the forecast of future electricity consumption quantities and geographical
locations could be analyzed in concurrent rather than separate models. The “how much,” “when,” and
“where” could be simulated and answered at once in one combined simulation.
System Reliability Model for Solid State Lighting (SSL) Luminaires (2011 - 2015). The primary
objectives of this project was to develop reliability model and accelerated life testing (ALT)
methodologies for predicting the lifetime of integrated SSL luminaires. Standard SSL test methods,
including Illumination Engineering Society LM-79-08 and LM-80-08, are used to evaluate luminaire and
component performance. An initial reliability model based on assumed Arrhenius behavior was built. In
the absence of comparable datasets, initial ALT studies were conducted using the Joint Electron Device
Engineering Council’s standard test methods. Temperature, relative humidity, particle ingress, and
atmospheric pollutant exposure were used as environmental stressors. Statistically valid sample sets,
based on the assumed Arrhenius behavior, were used in this initial study. Phase II of this project created a
multivariable reliability model based on measured statistical distributions of experimental values and
degradation factors, with greatly improved accuracy over the initial model. This model was created by
statistical analysis of the experiment data obtained during Phase I and includes the effects of
environmental stressors on system reliability. ALT methodologies are refined through additional
environmental stressors including step-stress methodologies to significantly reduce test duration. The
multivariable reliability model is refined through additional ALT studies using these modified techniques.
Phase III completes the validation of the model by performing additional ALTs, including lumen
maintenance and system reliability testing on select luminaires. The ultimate outcome from this project is
a multivariable reliability prediction tool for SSL luminaires and new ALT methodologies for evaluating
the system performance of SSL luminaires in less than 3,000 hours of testing. Designed and developed
reliability models, Kaplan-Meier models, and Arrhenius models. Used multivariate regressions models,
statistical learning and cluster analysis.
Impact of Genomics and Personalized Medicine on the Cost-effectiveness of Preventing and Screening
for Breast Cancer in Younger Women (2011 - 2015). The key objective of this study was to compare the
costs and benefits of personalized medicine to identify the approaches that will be the most cost-effective
to screen younger women to identify those at increased risk of developing breast cancer. Results from this
study can be used to address the following critical questions: what new technologies are likely to be cost
effective for screening young women?; at what threshold values are these new technologies cost effective,
and can these be achieved in the real-world clinical setting?; how will the introduction of genomics-based
screening technologies change the current screening pathways?; and what are the costs and benefits of
initiating genomics testing at specific age thresholds? The results from this modeling study will provide
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important evidence for developing guidelines and recommendations related to breast cancer screening
programs for young women. Worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study the
impact of personalized medicine on the cost-effectiveness of screening young women for breast cancer
using an agent-based model to simulate individual behaviors and interactions and to assess their collective
impacts at the population level. Designed and developed agent-based models in Repast Simphony, risk
assessment models, incidence and prevalence models, Gompertz growth models, natural history models,
screening models, and treatment models.
Use of Multistate Markov Modeling for Investigating Time-Varying Factors Associated with Lipid
Lowering Medications for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (2013 to 2014). This project
used de-identified clinical data derived from electronic medical records adopted and maintained since
1997 by Midwest Heart Specialists/Advocate Medical Group, a 50-physician cardiology practice. The
objectives are to determine health status trajectories for primary prevention starting with the development
of elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (>100 mg/dL) progressing through
revascularization in patients without coronary artery disease at the start of observation; and to use the
information derived from a multi-state Markov model to construct a simulator of cardiovascular disease
(CVD) development accounting for known CVD risk factors, that will be useful in investigation of
predictive analytic questions. Designed and developed agent-based models in Repast Simphony.
Translational Cocaine Addiction: From Man to Mouse to Man (2012). Drug addiction cannot be
adequately addressed solely within a single discipline and instead requires a more comprehensive
approach. In our project, we first used mouse system genetics to identify genes, gene networks and
pathways associated with cocaine dependence. As in our previous studies with nicotine and heroin
dependence, previously identified candidate genes for cocaine abuse phenotypes in humans and model
animals were used to initiate the mouse systems genetic studies. The findings of the mouse systems
genetic studies were then integrated with known environmental factors, such as drug availability, social
stressors, peer support, and environmental exposures, to build an ontology-based network model of
cocaine abuse and addiction. This model can be used to provide a framework for future cocaine-addiction
studies.
Comparative Effectiveness of Alcohol Treatments (2011 to 2014)—Data and Modeling Analyst. In this
methodological study, a predictive framework was developed to improve the quality of comparative
effectiveness research by identifying subpopulations most responsive to treatment. The framework will
provide an analysis flow, linking theoretical, exploratory, predictive, and Markov models aimed to fill
gaps not currently addressed by each of methods used separately. Designer and developer of Agent Based
Models for Alcohol Use and Treatment and simulators associated with those models in Repast Simphony,
Random Forest Models, and Survival Analysis Models.
Methods for Assessing Vulnerability and Resilience of Critical Infrastructure (IHSS Brief) (2010).
This project explored an inclusive approach that incorporates physical, social, organizational, economic,
and environmental variables in addition to empirical measurements and operationalization of resilience
and vulnerability. The objective was to help improve the understanding and management of risk
associated with threats to complex infrastructure systems. The framework uses network theory, modelbased vulnerability analysis, and reliability theory (fault tree analysis).
Services Accountability Improvement System (SAIS) (2009 to 2011). SAIS is a service of the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAIS is intended for use by the Center
for Substance Abuse Treatment’s (CSAT’s) Discretionary Services and Best Practices grantees, and by
SAMHSA and CSAT staff. SAIS was developed as part of the effort mandated by the Government
Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993. GPRA is intended to increase program effectiveness and
public accountability by promoting a focus on results, service quality, and customer satisfaction. Led the
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monitoring of the SAIS IT infrastructure through monitoring systems he helped developed. Wrote several
standard operating procedure (SOP) manuals including the SOP to conduct the monitoring activities.
Performed a variety of activities to improve the SAIS SQL server production database.
Violent Intent Modeling and Simulation (VIMS) (2009). VIMS was conceived by the Human
Factors/Behavioral Sciences Division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and
Technology Directorate. The VIMS project team developed social science models as the core of an
analytic decision support tool to interpret the motivations and behaviors of violent groups and identify
factors indicating that a group may engage in ideologically motivated violent activity. Applied agentbased modeling and cellular automata concepts to create a prototype model and simulator based on
published literature regarding Civil Violence. This task generated a report for the VIMS project.
Modeling the Effectiveness of Hepatitis Vaccination When Accounting for Transmission Dynamics
(2008). Developed a compartmental susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered model in MATLAB to study
the effectiveness of hepatitis A vaccination. Helped analyze the results from the dynamic transmission
model that accounts for natural declines in force of infection, foreign sources of infection, and vaccination
coverage rates.
Economic Issues in Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (2006 to 2007). Using special software that
accounts for uncertainty and variability in the impacts of influenza and influenza vaccination, both across
population subgroups and from one season to the next, he built a model that estimates the likelihood that
the influenza vaccination will result in positive net benefits for several specific population subgroups. A
key feature of this Monte Carlo–style simulation model is its ability to use information on a range of
possible values for influenza severity and vaccine effectiveness to calculate a range of possible economic
impacts and the likelihood of occurrence for each, i.e., a distribution of possible outcomes. This feature is
important because influenza severity and vaccine effectiveness are usually unknown early in the influenza
season when policymakers may be called upon to provide guidance on priority populations for
vaccination. Co-led the model development team that built and calibrated the model and generated results
from running Monte Carlo analyses.
Models for Infectious Disease Agent Study (MIDAS) (2005 to 2010). MIDAS was funded by for the
National Institute of General Medical Sciences to encourage development of infectious disease modeling
to address a wide range of possible infectious agents, explore a variety of possible responses, and enhance
the model interface, thereby making the modeling process understandable and accessible by nonscientists
exploring health policy options. Developed information technology tools and performed modeling
analyses. Involved with a set of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) agent-based models
developed in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh and the Harvard Medical School. Led the
team in charge of maintaining and improving the MIDAS portal. Helped design the ORACLE
Ultrasearch-based search system and helped maintain the MIDAS Historic Data and Document Catalog.
Development of GIS Tools to Evaluate Risks to Watershed Health from Wildfires in the Western
United States (2005 to 2006). Used Java programming in the FORWARDWest project, a suite of Javabased tools used for identifying geographic areas at risk of catastrophic forest fires. The main goal of
these tools was to give the end user the ability to weigh the different parameters so as to isolate areas of
interest. The core of this suite of tools was the FORWARDWest slider toolbar. Once the sliders were set
to the user’s preference, a 1:24k USGS quad tile layer was scored to indicate the geographic risks based
on how the user has set the slider bars. A Java-based configuration program, WestWardHO gave the user
the ability to introduce custom data to the FORWARDWest interface by modifying the underlying XML
Configuration file.
Air Quality Modeling Decision Support Tool (2004 to 2005). Helped create an air-quality modeling
decision support tool to help the city of Beijing, China, analyze and improve air quality before the 2008
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Olympic Games. Also helped design management plans to improve air quality conditions. The decision
support tool included an air emissions database and a set of small programs to link many existing air
quality models designed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Development of Integrated Water Quality Analyses for the Shared Waters of the United States and
Mexico (2003 to 2005). This project was funded by EPA’s Border 2012 Program. The Border 2012 goal
was to reduce water contamination on the U.S.-Mexico border by collecting and analyzing water quality
data. These assessments of significant shared and transboundary surface waters identified current water
quality status and trends and helped the United States and Mexico formulate water resource management
strategies to achieve, by 2012, a majority of water quality standards currently being exceeded in those
waters. Designed a database to collect and store water quality data from monitoring stations on the U.S.Mexico Border. Used EPA’s STOrage and RETrieval system (STORET) water quality data dictionary
and many EPA data standards. Performed analyses on the water quality data stored in the repository to
determine water quality status and water quality trends on the U.S.-Mexico border. Coordinated a
binational group of stakeholders who represented U.S. and Mexican states, federal and state agencies, and
consortiums.
GUI Development for the Total Risk Integrated Methodology (TRIM) (2002 to 2005). Developed a
Java-based graphical user interface (GUI) as part of EPA’s TRIM project. The GUI helped users perform
ecological hazard calculations for wildlife and species assemblages for spatially explicit areas of interest;
calculated hazards for acute, subchronic, and chronic benchmarks; and calculated hazards for different
endpoints. Inputs for this model were time series of annual concentrations in abiotic media and time series
of average daily doses for biota.
Data Mining and Analysis Tool Development (2002 to 2004). Helped create a Web-based data mining
and analysis tool to present environmental project results more efficiently. The main purpose of this tool
was to replace large amounts of printed data tables that must be analyzed, summarized, and delivered to
the client. The back-end of the tool was an Oracle database, and the front-end was a combination of JSP
pages and applets to provide the user with a GUI to perform analyses. With this tool, data could be made
available to the client in a format that was engaging and easy to understand; users could ask follow-up
questions rather than searching through the hardcopy data tables; clients could view tables and graphics
that were useful in decision making; and clients could present results and benefits of a project to upper
management via the easily accessible Web site.
Programming in Support of EPA Reach Indexing Projects (2001 to 2005). Wrote an ORACLE PL/SQL
package as a stored procedure and has used object-oriented approaches to handle batch indexing jobs for
the WebRIT tool. The package communicated and integrated with other packages written to handle
different functionalities for the WebRIT. Used the batch-indexing package to perform several indexing
jobs, including indexing of combined sewer overflow data, Drinking Water Initiative data, and Clean
Watershed Needs Survey data. Wrote a series of small functions in Oracle Spatial to manipulate
georeferenced data related to water sources for the EPA Total WATERS Project. This project created
summaries of total miles of waterbodies by state and by waterbody type.
Professional Experience
June 2015 to date
Pactera Technology International Limited, Seattle Area, WA.
Senior Data Scientist. Works in the Data Science and Internet of Things Initiative
at Pactera. Major responsibilities include the development of Data Science as a
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Service for Pactera, recruiting new data scientists, establishing scientific stature
for the initiative and building a data science case study library.
1999 to May 2015
RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC.
Senior Data Scientist and Mathematical Modeler (2006 to 2015). Worked in the
Predictive Analytics group as an analyst, designing, creating, validating,
calibrating, and analyzing mathematical models for environmental- and healthrelated complex problems.
Worked in the Statistics and Epidemiology group as an analyst, designing,
creating, validating, calibrating, and analyzing mathematical models for
environmental- and health- related complex problems.
Worked in the Bioinformatics group as a research programmer analyst,
performing modeling analyses and developing information technology tools.
Research Environmental Engineer (1999 to 2006). Managed a project on the
U.S.–Mexico border to help EPA reach its goals for the Border 2012 Program.
Designed high-level information and modeling systems. Developed a decision
support tool for integrated solid waste management. Served on the Environment,
Health and Safety Division International Business Development Team and RTI’s
Latin America and Caribbean Team.
1994 to 1999
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
Research Assistant. Helped develop a decision support tool for solid waste
management as part of a team that included staff from RTI, EPA, and other
academic centers. Designed the optimization module. Presented the tool and
results in multiple forums in the United States.
1991 to 1994
University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica.
Instructor/Research Associate. Served as a member of the Sustainable Urban
Development Program at the University of Costa Rica, which helped develop
projects in a variety of disciplines, including solid waste management, urban
growth, and the use of appropriate technologies such as clean energy, biomass
energy, and low-cost technologies to solve problems in urban and rural areas.
Served as a research team member on a project that developed management plans
for national parks and protected areas in Costa Rica. Plans included tropical rain
forest biodiversity protection plans, surface waters, coastal and marine resources
management, environmental education, socioeconomic studies to integrate
communities interacting with parks, and carrying capacity studies. Taught
courses on strength of materials, mechanics, and engineering economics.
1991 to 1994
Independent Consultant, San Jose, Costa Rica.
Consultant. Performed consultant work for the United Nations under Special
Service Agreement CLA/94/1337, analyzing product manufacturing in Costa
Rica from a life cycle assessment perspective. Served as a research team member
on a project with the German Agency for Technical Assistance that focused on
solid waste management in the San Jose Metropolitan Area.
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Honors and Awards
Solid State Lighting Research Project by Department of Energy, 2013
SCS Engineers Scholarship Award for Solid Waste Management as part of the Grant H. Flint
Scholarships awarded by the Solid Waste Association of North America, July 1998
Honor Instructor, Civil Engineering Department, University of Costa Rica, 1991, San Jose, Costa Rica
Achieved highest national score on admissions at University of Costa Rica, San Jose, Costa Rica, 1986
Professional Associations
American Society of Civil Engineers, February 2008 to date
Professional Service
Reviewer, RTI Press, October 2014
Reviewer, Conference papers: International Conference on Advances in System Simulation, August 2012,
July 2013, July 2014
Reviewer, Waste Management & Research: Journal of the International Solid Waste Association Online,
March 2009, December 2013, February 2014, April 2014, June 2014
Judge, Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Graduate Research Symposium, North Carolina
State University, Raleigh, NC, March 2008, March 2009, March 2010, March 2012, March 2013,
and March 2014
Reviewer, International Journal of Critical Infrastructures, May 2012
Judge, Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School Science Fair, North Carolina State University, Raleigh,
NC, February 2012
Reviewer, Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of
Natural Hazards, July 2011
Seminars and Courses Taught
Speaker, Wake Tech Speaker Series. Wake Technical Community College, Business Analytics
Department. Lecture: Careers in Business Analytics. Wake Technical Community College, Cary,
March 2014
Speaker, Computing & Systems Colloquium. Lecture: An Agent-based Model to Support Measuring
Drug Choice and Switch between Drug Types in Rural Populations. Department of Civil,
Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, April
2013
Speaker, Computers & Systems Colloquium. Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental
Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, September 2011
Lecture: Municipal Solid Waste: Technologies and Policy. Mount Olive College, Research Triangle Park,
NC, July 2011
Seminar/Webinar: The Use of Agent-Based Simulation (ABS) in Environmental Management. Presented
to Hazen and Sawyer environmental engineers and scientists. Valid for professional development
credit. Raleigh, NC, June 2008
Strength of Materials, University of Costa Rica, 1993
Engineering Economics, University of Costa Rica, 1993
Mechanics for Civil Engineers (Statics), University of Costa Rica, 1992
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Languages
Spanish (native), Portuguese (conversant)
Books, Book Chapters, and Monographs
Abarca, L., Soto, M. A., Barrantes, A., Castro, C., Chevez, A., Porras, A., Quesada, T., Solano, E, et al.
(1991). Solid waste management national plan for Costa Rica. San Jose, Costa Rica: Pan American
Information Network on Environmental Health.
Solano, E. (1991). Pre-feasibility study of solid waste railroad transportation to a landfill outside the
Great Metropolitan area in San Jose, Costa Rica. San Jose, Costa Rica: Pan American Information
Network on Environmental Health.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Solano, E., Morris, R. J., & Bobashev, G. V. (2013). Coupling models by routing communication through
a database. RTI Press, MR-0026-1309, 1–20.
Bryant, S.P., Solano, E., Cantor, S., Cooley, P.C., & Wagener, D.K. (2011). Sharing research models:
Using software engineering practices for facilitation. Research Triangle Park, NC: RTI Press. RTI
Press Publication No. MR-0022-1103.
Cooley, P. C., Roberts, D. J., Bakalov, V. D., Golla, B. J., Bikmal, S. H., Cantor, S., Costandine,
T., Ganapathi, L., Golla, B.J., Grubbs, G., Hollingsworth, C., Li, S., Qin, Y., Savage, W., Simoni,
D., Solano, E., et al. (2008). The MIDAS Model Repository (MREP). IEEE Transactions on
Information Technology in Biomedicine, 12, 513–522.
Solano, E., Ranjithan, S. R., Barlaz, M. A., & Brill, E. D. (2002). Life-cycle-based solid waste
management. I: Model development. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 128, 981–992.
Solano, E., Dumas, R. D., Harrison, K., Ranjithan, S. R., Barlaz, M. A., & Brill, E. D. (2002). Life-cyclebased solid waste management. II: Illustrative applications. Journal of Environmental Engineering,
128, 993–1005.
Harrison, K. W., Dumas, R. D., Solano, E., Barlaz, M. A., Brill, E. D., & Ranjithan, S. (2001). Decision
support tool for life-cycle-based solid waste management. Journal of Computing in Civil
Engineering, 15, 44–58.
Other Papers
Solano, E. (1999). Integrated solid waste management alternatives in consideration of economic and
environmental factors: A mathematical model and development and evaluation. PhD dissertation.
North Carolina State University, Department of Civil Engineering, Raleigh, NC.
Solano, E. (1996). Life-cycle assessment of municipal solid waste management alternatives: An
integrated optimization model. Master of Science Thesis at North Carolina State University, Raleigh,
NC.
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Solano, E. (1991). Collection, use of transfer stations and railroad transportation for solid waste
generated in the great metropolitan area in Costa Rica (in Spanish). Thesis for Licentiate degree,
San Jose, Costa Rica.
Presentations and Proceedings
Bobashev, G., Solano, E., & Hoffer, L. (2014, October). An agent-based model to support measuring
drug choice and switch between drug types in rural populations. Presented at the International
Conference on Advances in System Simulation, Nice, France.
Davis, J. L., Mills, K. C., Lamvik, M. K., Bittle, J. F., Shepherd, S. D., Evans, A. L., Baldasaro, N. G.,
Solano, E., & Bobashev, G. V. (Invited Speaker). (2014, May). Causes of color shift in SSL devices.
Presented at DOE SSL Manufacturing Technologies Workshop, San Diego, CA.
Davis, J. L., Mills, K. C., Lamvik, M. K., Yaga, R. W., Shepherd, S. D., Bittle, J. F., Baldasaro, N. G.,
Solano, E., et al. (Invited Speaker). (2014, April). System reliability for LED-based products.
Presented at EuroSim 2014, Ghent, Belgium.
Davis, J. L., Mills, K. C., Yaga, R. W., Johnson, C. G., Baldasaro, N. G., Solano, E., & Bobashev, G. V.
(2014, January). Reality model for solid-state lighting luminaires. Poster presented at DOE SSL
R&D Workshop, Tampa, FL.
Clark, R. F., Solano, E., Edlund, M. J., Garge, N. R., & Johnson, E. O. (2013, October). A translational
approach for cocaine abuse: From man to mouse to man. Poster presented at 63rd Annual Meeting
of the American Society of Human Genetics, Boston, MA.
Davis, J. L., Lamvik, M. K., Bittle, J. F., Shepherd, S. D., Yaga, R. W., Baldasaro, N. G., Solano, E., &
Bobashev, G. V. (2013, September). Insights into accelerated aging of SSL luminaires. In
Proceedings of SPIE: LED-base Illumination Systems, [8835], pp. 88350L-1–88350L-10. San
Diego, CA.
Davis, J. L., Bittle, J. F., Lamvik, M. K., Shepherd, S. D., Yaga, R. W., Baldasaro, N. G., Solano , E., et
al. (2013, June). System reliability model for SSL luminaires. Poster presented at the U.S.
Department of Energy Solid State Lighting Manufacturing R&D Workshop, Boston, MA.
Solano, E., Bobashev, G., & Hoffer, L. (2013, April). An agent-based model to support measuring drug
choice and switch between drug types in rural populations. Presented at North Carolina State
University. Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering’s Computing &
Systems Colloquium.
Davis, J. L., Lamvik, M. K., Shepherd, S. D., Yaga, R. W., Bittle, J. F., Bobashev, G. V., Solano, E., et al.
(2013, January). System reliability model for SSL luminaires. Poster presented at DOE Solid-State
Lighting R&D Workshop, Long Beach, CA.
Davis, J. L., Lamvik, M. K., Bittle, J. F., Shepherd, S. D., Yaga, R. W., Baldasaro, N. G., Solano, E.,
& Bobashev, G. V. (2013). Insights into accelerated aging of SSL luminaires. In Proceedings of
SPIE: LED-base Illumination Systems, 8835, pp. 88350L-1–88350L-10. San Diego, CA.
Solano, E. (2012). Multi-objective linear programming optimization for waste management simulation.
SIMUL 2012, the 4th International Conference on Advances in System Simulation, Lisbon,
Portugal.
SOLANO, 12
Cooley, P. C., Solano, E. (2011). Agent-based model (ABM) validation considerations. SIMUL 2011, the
3rd International Conference on Advances in System Simulation, Barcelona, Spain.
Solano, E. (2010, November). Theoretical framework for the vulnerability and resilience assessments of
infrastructures. Poster presented at Institute For Homeland Security Solutions (IHSS) Research
Summit, Research Triangle Park, NC.
Simoni, D. A., Bryant, S. P., Cooley, P. C., Solano, E., Roberts, D. J., & Wagener, D. K. (2010, October).
MATLAB and parallel computing toolbox: Next generation of environment for developing cluster
based applications. Presented at The Huntsville Simulation Conference, Huntsville, AL.
Simoni, D. A., Bryant, S. P., Solano, E., Roberts, D. J., Cooley, P. C., & Wagener, D. K. (2010, June).
Modeling the spread of epidemics using MATLAB and MathWorks parallel computing tools.
Presented at MATLAB Technology Tour, Durham, NC.
Rein, D. B., Allaire, B. T., & Solano, E. (2009, March). Should we vaccinate children against hepatitis A
in high incidence countries? Results from a dynamic transmission model that accounts for natural
declines in force of infection, foreign sources of infection, and vaccination coverage rates. Presented
at 13th International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease, Washington, DC.
Rein, D. B., Allaire, B. T., & Solano, E. (2008, October). Modeling the effectiveness of hepatitis A
vaccination when accounting for transmission dynamics. Presented at Center of Excellence in Health
Promotion Economics Seminar Series, Research Triangle Park, NC.
Honeycutt, A., Lesesne, S., Lin, S., Solano, E., & Hoerger, T. (2008, April). Model of the economic
impacts of seasonal influenza vaccination. Presented to the Office of the ASPE, Washington, DC.
Cooley, P. C., Simoni, D. A., Wagener, D. K., & Solano, E. (2007). The MIDAS research network. Poster
presented at RTI’s Fellows Internal Symposium, Research Triangle Park, NC.
Cooley, P. C., Simoni, D. A., Wagener, D. K., & Solano, E. (2007). The MIDAS research network. Poster
presented at Latin American Conference on Informatics (CLEI2007), San Jose, Costa Rica.
Cooley, P. C., Simoni, D. A., Wagener, D. K., & Solano, E. (2007). The MIDAS research network. Poster
presented at Costa Rica Technology Insight 2007, San Jose, Costa Rica.
Weitz, K. A., Branscome, M. R., Bahner, M. A., Coburn, J. B., & Solano, E. (2007). Assessing the
climate change impacts of solid waste management (presented by K.A. Weitz). Poster presented at
2007 RTI International Fellows Internal Symposium, Research Triangle Park, NC.
Cooley, P. C., Simoni, D. A., Wagener, D. K., & Solano, E. (2006, September). The MIDAS research
network. Poster presented at Infectious Disease Informatics: Surveillance, Modeling, and Response,
Urbana, IL.
Cooter, W. S., Ilieve, P. I., Bondelid, T. R., Bruhn, M. C., Pickren, K. P., Solano, E., et al. (2006). NHD
tools for the evaluation of watershed condition and management performance. Poster presented at
the national conference of the National Water Quality Monitoring Council, San Jose, CA.
Brandmeyer, J. E., Solano, E., Zerbonia, R. A., Gao, G., Xin, L., Tian, C., et al. (2005). The emissions
inventory database application component of the air quality management decision support system
for Beijing. Presented at the 14th annual Emission Inventory conference, Las Vegas, NV.
SOLANO, 13
Brandmeyer, J. E., Solano, E., Zerbonia, R. A., Gao, G., Xin, L., Tian, C., et al. (2004). Development of
an air quality management decision support system for Beijing, China. Presented at the Community
Modeling and Analysis System (CMAS) Models-3 Conference, Chapel Hill, NC.
Kaplan, P. O., Solano, E., Dumas, R., Harrison, K., Ranjithan, S., Barlaz, M., et al. (2003, June). Lifecycle-based solid waste management. In The 2nd Meeting of the International Society for Industrial
Ecology, Michigan.
Harrison, K. W., Dumas, R. D., Solano, E., Barlaz, M. A., Brill, E. D., & Ranjithan, S. (1998).
Interactively exploring efficient solid waste management alternatives to meet environmental goals.
Presented at the annual Water Resources Planning and Management conference (ASCE), Chicago,
IL.
Ranjithan, S., Barlaz, M. A., Brill, E. D., Dumas, R. D., Harrison, K. W., Kosmicki, B. A., et al. (1996).
Development of alternative integrated solid waste management strategies in consideration of
economic and environmental factors. Presented at the International Conference on Solid Waste
Technology and Management, Philadelphia, PA.
Ranjithan, S., Solano, E., Harrison, K. W., Dumas, R. D., Barlaz, M. A., & Brill, E. D., Jr. (1996).
Economic and environmental trade-off in integrated solid waste management. Institute for
Operations Research and the Management Sciences, Washington, DC.
Harrison, K. W., Fu, S.-Y., Solano, E., Dumas, R. D., Ranjithan, S., Barlaz, M. A., et al (1996).
Computer-based integrated solid waste management system: A decision support system prototype
demonstration. Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences, Washington, DC.
Pujol, R., & Solano, E. (1992). Solid waste recycling in Costa Rica: New bottles for an old wine? In
Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Solid Waste Management and Secondary
Materials, Philadelphia, PA.
Solano, E. (1992). Solid waste generation rates and composition studies in Costa Rica (in Spanish). In
Proceedings of the IV Hydraulic Resources National Congress, San Jose, Costa Rica.
Technical Reports
Solano, E. (2010, March). Methods for assessing vulnerability of critical infrastructure. Research Brief.
Institute for Homeland Security Solutions.
Solano, E., Truesdale, R. S., & Lutes, A. C. (2006, March). Development of water quality analyses for the
shared waters of the United States and Mexico. Prepared for the United States Environmental
Protection Agency, National Service for Environmental Publications (NSCEP).
Deerhake, M. E., Zapata, A., Solano, E., Icenhour, M., Kwok, R., Phillips, M., & Sonnenfeld, N. (2005,
September). Gathering bi-national information on environmental monitoring and health
tracking/surveillance data related to air–draft summary report. Prepared for the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental
Effects Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC. Prepared by RTI, Research Triangle Park,
NC.
Solano, E., Pujol, R., & Monson, R. R. (1994). Packaging waste recycling in Costa Rica, final report.
Santiago, Chile: Pan American Information Network on Environmental Health.