I am Gigi Gugunava, originally from Georgia, and I am affiliated with the Data-Driven Industrial Systems group. My background combines research, teaching, and practical manufacturing experience. At Constructor University, I worked as a Research Assistant, where I collaborated on refining research methodologies, conducting literature reviews, analyzing data, interpreting results, and suggesting improvements to algorithms. I also served as a Laboratory Teaching Assistant, guiding students in hands-on manufacturing experiments involving machining, casting, welding, and 3D printing, while supporting their understanding of manufacturing technologies, material properties, and process optimization. In addition, I am now also a Teaching Assistant for the courses Production Planning and Control and AI and Data Management for Industrial Solutions.

I also gained industrial experience through an internship at Henkel in Manufacturing 3PM – Automotive Parts in Düsseldorf, where I further developed my understanding of production processes in an industrial setting. My academic interest in optimization is reflected in my co-authored work on the Photon Walk Algorithm for the Velocity-Dependent Travelling Salesman Problem. Building on this interest, I am preparing my thesis on Physics Behind Optimization – Photon Walk Algorithm: heuristic approach for the Velocity-Dependent Travelling Salesman Problem, contributing to optimization-oriented and data-driven research for complex industrial systems.