Research Profile

Dr. Melissa Szymiczek is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Lecturer at the Chair of Technical Logistics within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Duisburg-Essen. Her research focuses on the analysis, evaluation, and optimization of logistics and transport networks through modelling and simulation. Following a systems engineering approach, she implements numerical, qualitative, and decision-support methods to facilitate the development and implementation of innovative transport and logistics concepts, products, services, and processes that contribute to sustainable long-term development.

A central element of Dr. Szymiczek’s academic profile is the integration of engineering approaches with interdisciplinary and international perspectives. Throughout her career, she has gained extensive experience in international research cooperation and in the strategic development of R&D partnerships. She has established and coordinated collaborations with partner institutions in ten countries, particularly in Latin America and Northwestern Europe, while actively fostering connections between regional stakeholders in the Lower Rhine and Ruhr areas and international research networks.

Dr. Szymiczek combines global perspectives with regional challenges by bringing together actors from science, industry, public administration, and society. Her work aims to address current and future challenges of transport systems through collaborative approaches that connect technological innovation with societal needs. She has led interdisciplinary teams of up to twelve international experts and independently coordinated research and development projects within national, European, and international funding programmes.

Her research activities are characterized by a strong commitment to knowledge transfer and societal impact. She applies participatory approaches and co-creative methods to strengthen the development of models and decision-support tools by integrating scientific evidence with practical expertise. Through publications, scientific presentations, strategic advisory activities, living labs, and citizen science formats, she actively contributes to transferring research results into academia, industry, municipalities, and society.

Dr. Szymiczek’s research has received international recognition and practical visibility. Her work on sustainable humanitarian relief networks following the Wenchuan earthquake demonstrates her ability to address complex interdisciplinary challenges within international research teams. Her studies on the effective control of passive traffic and the requirements, opportunities, and challenges for modern logistics locations in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region—including analyses of truck parking conditions in Duisburg and Cologne—have contributed to discussions among practitioners, policymakers, and the public.

In addition to her research activities, Dr. Szymiczek is committed to academic teaching and mentoring. She contributes to the internationally oriented Master’s programme Technical Logistics, which attracts students from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds. She has organized and delivered lectures and seminars and has supervised more than 25 Master’s theses, supporting students in developing their professional and research skills. Through alumni activities, she maintains long-term connections with graduates working in academia, industry, and different economic regions, strengthening the exchange between education, research, and practice.

Vita 

Awards, Recognitions & Career Development Support

Strategic Engagement, Advisory Roles & Academic Service

Research Projects (selection)

NEST – North-South Energy Sustainable Transformation and Climate-Resilient Urban Transport Dialog

Funding: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

NEST strengthens international academic cooperation and capacity building by supporting the professional development of Germany alumni from Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Peru in the fields of sustainable transport, energy transition, and innovation management. Through practice-oriented Alumni SkillUps, digital collaboration, and international networking activities, the project promotes knowledge exchange, lifelong learning, and the development of sustainable partnerships between academia and practice.

Role: Coordination, development of training activities, knowledge transfer, and dissemination.

Circular.Niederrhein

Funding: ERDF/JTF Programme NRW 2021–2027 (Regio.NRW – Transformation)

Circular.Niederrhein supports the transition towards a circular economy in the construction sector by developing sustainable value chains for construction materials in the Lower Rhine region. The project brings together academia, industry, municipalities, and regional stakeholders to advance circular business models, improve material traceability, and optimise logistics concepts for the recovery, reuse, and recycling of construction materials.

Role: Leader of a work package, development of decision-support approaches for circular construction supply chains and intermediate storage network configurations.

AgroTechGreen – Smart Agriculture Model for Sustainability and Rraceability of Agro-sustainable Value Chains

Funding: EU AL-INVEST Verde Programme

AgroTechGreen develops innovative approaches to improve the sustainability, traceability, and resilience of cacao agricultural value chains through digital technologies and stakeholder collaboration between Columbia and Europe. The project promotes sustainable production and transparent supply chains by integrating scientific methods with practical solutions for cacao producers.
Role: National coordinator, research activities, and knowledge transfer between German and Colombian partners.

WISTAR – Waterways for Green Inland Sustainable Transport and Rural Businesses

Funding: Interreg North-West Europe Programme

WISTAR promotes the use of inland waterways as sustainable transport corridors to strengthen regional economies and reduce the environmental impact of freight transport. The project develops and evaluates innovative logistics concepts that improve multimodal connectivity and support rural businesses in Normandie (FR), Wallonia (BE), Ruhr Area and Lower Rhein (DE).
Role: Project coordinator, research activities, and knowledge transfer between German and European partners.

ST4W – Smart Tracking Data Network for Inland Waterways

Funding: Interreg North-West Europe Programme

ST4W established a cross-border data network to improve transparency, efficiency, and reliability in inland waterway transport. The project developed digital solutions for freight tracking and information exchange to enhance multimodal logistics across Northwestern Europe.
Role: Coordinated regional activities, and conducted research on digital transport and logistics solutions.

SpeCTra – Smart Port Cities through Transversal Traffic Management Systems

Funding: German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

SpeCTra explored innovative traffic management approaches for port cities by integrating transport planning, logistics, and digital technologies. The project strengthened international cooperation to explores new sustainable mobility solutions for urban and port environments.
Role: Coordinated international activities, conducted research on port-cities symbiosis, and established international research partnerships.

KOMPASS – Lower Rhine: A Safe Logistics Region

Funding: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and State of North Rhine-Westphalia

KOMPASS investigated measures to enhance the safety and resilience of passive truck transit in the Duisburger Inland Port Axe. The project combined scientific analysis with stakeholder engagement to develop practical recommendations for regional logistics security.
Role: Conducted research of passive truck transit and work on co-creative exchange formats.

DeSKLog – Development and Strengthening of Knowledge Transfer to Address Logistics Challenges Arising from the Expansion of the Panama Canal

Funding: German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

DeSKLog promoted international knowledge transfer between Germany and Panama to address emerging logistics challenges associated with the expansion of the Panama Canal. The project established collaborative networks between academia and industry while supporting the exchange of expertise in logistics and supply chain management.
Role: Project coordination, research about Panama Canal logistic cluster and supported the establishment of international partnerships.

OrGoLo – Organisational Innovation through Good Governance in Logistics Networks

Funding: German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

OrGoLo investigated governance structures and organisational innovation in collaborative logistics networks. The project developed concepts and recommendations to improve cooperation, coordination, and decision-making among stakeholders in complex logistics systems.
Role: Leader of a work package, research in governance structures of multimodal supply chains.

Industry Studies (Selection)

Truck Parking Capacity Analysis for the City of Cologne

This industrial study analysed the current and future availability of truck parking infrastructure in the Cologne metropolitan area. The project assessed parking supply, demand patterns, and future requirements to provide an evidence-based foundation for infrastructure planning and decision-making in freight transport.
Role: Analysis of existing capacity, demand assessment, and forecasting of future truck parking requirements.

Modelling and Simulation of the Dry and Cold Storage Facility

The project involved the development and application of simulation models to analyse the operational performance of dry and temperature-controlled warehouse processes for Spaniens führende Supermarktkette. The results supported the evaluation of system capacities and operational requirements under different scenarios.
Role: System load analysis, and simulation-based evaluation.

Analysis and Optimization of a Warehouse and Distribution Network for a Detergent Product Line

This industrial project evaluated alternative warehouse and distribution network configurations for a detergent product line of a worldwide recognized leader in the laundry and home care industry. Different scenarios, including centralized and regional warehouse concepts, were analysed to support strategic decisions regarding logistics structures and distribution processes.
Role: Scenario analysis and evaluation of central versus regional warehouse concepts.

Development of a Simulation Tool for the Optimization of International Supply Chains

This project involved the conception and development of a simulation-based tool for the world's leading provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases to support the analysis and optimization of international supply chain structures. The tool enables scenario evaluation and provides decision support for strategic supply chain planning.
Role: Software concept development, usability testing, and preparation of tool documentation.