Prof. Huali Sun | Government-Enterprise Cooperation | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Huali Sun | Shanghai University | China

Professor Huali Sun is a distinguished academic at the School of Management, Shanghai University, where he also serves as a PhD supervisor. He earned his PhD in Control Theory and Control Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and was a senior visiting scholar at the University of Missouri, USA in 2014. With a career marked by academic excellence and public service, he has significantly contributed to research, teaching, and policy consulting. He has led and participated in numerous national and provincial-level research projects and authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications. Beyond academia, his work has influenced real-world decision-making in government agencies. He is recognized for his commitment to education, student mentorship, and public service. Professor Sun continues to be a pillar in the development of emergency logistics, management operations research, and sustainable systems in China.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

1. Extensive Research Portfolio

   • Over 80 publications in high-impact SCI/SSCI and Class A journals.

   • Topics span robust optimization, emergency logistics, carbon efficiency, and supply chain management—relevant, impactful, and interdisciplinary.

2. Strong Leadership in Research Projects

   • Led 3 National Natural Science Foundation projects and several provincial-level projects.

   • Contributed to a major National Social Science Foundation project and numerous strategic soft science initiatives.

3. Policy Influence & Practical Impact

   • Authored 10+ decision-making consultation reports adopted by central and municipal governments, including direct national-level recognition.

4. Educational Contributions

   • Supervised 80+ postgraduates, with several receiving top national and university-level awards.

   • Recognized as an Excellent Full-time Tutor and Outstanding Party Member.

5. Case-Based Research Contributions

   • Authored 2 nationally recognized management cases, showcasing the application of research to real-world managerial contexts.

6. International Exposure

   • Completed a senior visiting scholar program in the U.S., contributing to his global research perspective and collaboration potential.

🔍 Areas for Improvement:

1. Greater International Collaboration

   • While he has U.S. academic exposure, co-authored research with global collaborators or institutions could enhance visibility and international citation impact.

2. Increased Public Engagement

   • Public communication of complex research (e.g., media, open lectures, or policy briefs) could further amplify his influence beyond academia.

3. Diversification of Publication Outlets

   • A broader mix of outlets in applied and interdisciplinary journals could position his work at the intersection of policy and practice more strongly.

4. Citation Metrics

   • Some recent publications have low or zero citations, which is common for new works but requires strategic dissemination to improve impact metrics.

🎓 Education:

Professor Huali Sun received his PhD in Control Theory and Control Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, one of China’s most prestigious technical institutions. His academic training provided him with a strong foundation in systems engineering, optimization, and control-based problem-solving. In 2014, he enhanced his global perspective through an international research tenure as a senior visiting scholar at the University of Missouri, USA. This exposure allowed him to merge Eastern and Western perspectives in management science and systems theory. His early academic pursuits focused on engineering applications, which later expanded to management science and logistics optimization. Through continual learning and collaborative research, Professor Sun has maintained academic rigor and interdisciplinary relevance in both control engineering and managerial sciences.

💼 Experience:

Currently a Professor and PhD Supervisor at the School of Management, Shanghai University, Huali Sun has an extensive track record in academia and applied research. He has hosted three National Natural Science Foundation projects and contributed as a core member to multiple other national and provincial-level research initiatives. His project involvement includes significant soft science research commissioned by the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, and innovation plans backed by the Ministry of Education. In the classroom, he has been a recognized full-time tutor and mentor for both undergraduates and postgraduates, guiding over 80 students, many of whom have achieved top honors. His dual roles as an educator and researcher make him a vital asset in advancing practical and theoretical knowledge in management and operations research.

🔬 Research Focus:

Professor Sun specializes in emergency logistics, distributionally robust optimization, disruption risk management, and environmental efficiency within transportation systems. His interdisciplinary research bridges systems engineering, operations research, and management science. He has developed robust, multi-period models for emergency logistics networks and explored sustainability and carbon emissions in transportation. His interest in pre-positioning strategies, joint road restoration, and location-routing optimization addresses real-world challenges in disaster response and public infrastructure resilience. His publications in SCI/SSCI international journals and Chinese Class A journals contribute to both global and local academic dialogues. His work often translates into actionable policy suggestions, making it valuable to both scholars and policymakers.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

• 📦 Distributionally robust pre-positioning strategies for relief supplies with two ordering opportunities – International Journal of Production Economics, 2025

• 🚧 Robust optimization of joint road restoration and emergency location-routing – Systems Engineering Theory and Practice, 2023

• 🌿 Analysis of transportation CO₂ emission efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China – Maritime Policy and Management, 2024

• ⚠️ A robust and multi-period model for an emergency logistics network considering the risk of disruptions – RAIRO Operations Research, 2025

📝 Conclusion:

Professor Huali Sun is a highly qualified and deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award, particularly due to his:

• Strong track record in academic publishing,

• Proven impact on government decision-making,

• Nationally recognized teaching and mentorship,

• Leadership in critical and socially relevant research areas.

His profile reflects well-rounded excellence in research, education, and service, making him an exemplary figure in the Chinese academic community and a worthy recipient of the award. Minor improvements in international outreach and citation growth could further elevate his global academic influence.