【Abstract】The rapid advances in cyber-infrastructure ranging from sensor technology and communication networks to high-powered computing have resulted in temporally and spatially dense data-rich environments. With massive data readily available, there is a pressing need to develop advanced methodologies and associated tools that will enable and assist (i) the handling of the rich data streams communicated by the contemporary complex engineering systems, (ii) the extraction of pertinent knowledge about the environmental and operational dynamics driving these systems, and (ii) the exploitation of the acquired knowledge for more enhanced design, analysis, and control of them.

Addressing this need is considered very challenging because of a collection of factors, which include the inherent complexity of the physical system itself and its associated hardware, the uncertainty associated with the system’s operation and its environment, the heterogeneity and the high dimensionality of the data communicated by the system, and the increasing expectations and requirements posed by real-time decision-making. It is also recognized that these significant research challenges, combined with the extensive breadth of the target application domains, will require multidisciplinary research and educational efforts.

This presentation will discuss some research challenges, advancements, and opportunities in statistical methods driven by engineering models for system performance improvement. Specific examples will be provided on research activities related to the integration of statistics, engineering knowledge, and control theory in various applications. Real case studies will be provided to illustrate the key steps of system research and problem solving, including (1) the identification of the real need and potential in problem formulation; (2) acquisition of a system perspective of the research; (3) development of new methodologies through interdisciplinary methods; and (4) implementation in practice for significant economical and social impacts. The presentation will emphasize the introduction of research achievements, as well as how the achievements were achievement.