About
Helga Ingimundardóttir
About
An engineer who has worked in both industry and academia — and can translate between them.
I am an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Iceland. I joined the IDeLM project as a postdoctoral researcher in 2023 before taking up my current assistant professorship. My research sits at the intersection of machine learning and optimisation: how to learn good decision rules from data instead of hand-crafting them. Before academia I spent a decade in industry — deCODE genetics, CCP Games (now Fenris Creations), Travelshift, AGR Dynamics and Valka — and that experience shapes how I teach: real data, real stakeholders, real uncertainty.
Affiliations
Speciality
- Heuristics
- Hyperheuristics
- Matheuristics
- Optimization
- Mathematical modeling
- Data science
- Artificial intelligence
- Business intelligence
- Computational intelligence
Academic appointments
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2024–
Member of the Teaching Academy
Icelandic Teaching Academy, University of Iceland · Reykjavík, Iceland
Recognised for excellence and innovation in university teaching.
The fellowship reflects a sustained commitment to active learning pedagogies, including flipped classroom design, project-based assessment, and industry-engaged curricula that connect students with real-world engineering challenges.
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2023–
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Iceland · Reykjavík, Iceland
Teaching business intelligence, Discrete Event Simulation, operations research and information engineering — with real data from Icelandic companies.
My focus is on bridging theoretical knowledge with practical skills, emphasising the use of real-world data in collaboration with Icelandic companies. Specialising in courses such as Business Intelligence, Discrete Event Simulation, Operations Research and Information Engineering, I equip students with the tools and insights needed to excel in the industrial sector.
Education
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2009–16
Ph.D. in Computational Engineering
University of Iceland · Reykjavík, Iceland
Hyperheuristics for job-shop scheduling, supervised by Prof. Tómas Philip Rúnarsson.
Automating the scheduling process for Job Shop Scheduling Problems using ordinal regression, and analysing the problem difficulty and the algorithm footprints in instance space for such optimisation problems. Awarded a doctoral grant from the University of Iceland Research Fund.
Doctoral defence: 30 June 2016. Opponents: Prof. Edmund Burke and Prof. Kate Smith-Miles.
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2010–12
Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching Studies in Higher Education
School of Education, University of Iceland · Reykjavík, Iceland
A 30 ECTS programme in university teaching — one of the inaugural participants in 2010.
A programme spearheaded by Professor Guðrún Geirsdóttir, tailored to faculty and doctoral students teaching at the University of Iceland. Coursework across three semesters covered university-level teaching studies, course design and assessment, and reflective practice. The final class produced a grant application that was funded by the University of Iceland Teaching Fund.
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2008–10
M.Sc. in Computational Engineering
University of Iceland · Reykjavík, Iceland
Wavelet transforms for fouling detection in heat exchangers.
Research with Prof. Sylvain Lalot at the Université de Valenciennes et du Hainaut-Cambrésis, France (now the Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France), exploring the feasibility of using wavelet transforms to detect fouling in cross-flow heat exchangers from measurements taken during normal operation. Awarded a grant from the French Embassy in Iceland to study in France.
Master's defence: February 2010. Examiner: Prof. Ólafur Pétur Pálsson.
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2005–08
B.Sc. in Mathematics
University of Iceland · Reykjavík, Iceland
Specialisation in Computer Science.
Industry experience
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2022–23
Head of AI Research
Travelshift · Reykjavík, Iceland
Led the AI research team optimising vacation packages for GuideToEurope.com — the travelling thief problem.
The team developed data-driven optimisation for vacation packages offered on GuideToEurope.com. The core problem was the NP-hard travelling thief problem, which combines the knapsack problem with the travelling salesman problem. I also contributed to related patent applications.
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2021–22
Data Scientist
CCP Games (now Fenris Creations) · Reykjavík, Iceland
Led development of a real-time recommendation engine for new EVE Online characters.
Built real-time time-series processing from proto-events on Kafka streams using the TimescaleDB extension for PostgreSQL, and developed ad-hoc metrics to measure content quality and engagement for the new recommendation models.
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2016–21
Research Scientist
deCODE genetics · Reykjavík, Iceland
Founding member of the Oxford Nanopore team at deCODE genetics; ran the long-read pipeline that processed 6 petabytes in three years.
Responsible for implementing and maintaining the long-range sequencing analysis pipeline. Collaborated with the lab on protocols and with IT on cluster and disk architecture to process a large volume of data (6 PB over three years) while ensuring data integrity. Also co-authored research papers with the ONT team and operationalised research findings for production use.
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2015–16
SQL Consultant
AGR Dynamics · Reykjavík, Iceland
Implemented AGR 5, a web-based supply chain management system, into client ERP systems.
AGR 5 lets users visualise sales history and generate order proposals using statistical forecasting. The work involved implementation, database maintenance and custom SQL solutions tailored to individual customers.
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2013–15
Computational Engineer, Research and Development
Valka (now part of JBT Marel) · Kópavogur, Iceland
Designed an intelligent fish portioning algorithm from X-ray imagery and generalised bone detection across species.
Valka is a leading provider of equipment and automation for fish processing. Alongside the portioning and bone-detection algorithms, I contributed to three-dimensional visualisation of fish bones and carried out efficiency testing and reporting.
Talks and outreach
Invited talks
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2025
Invited talk: HiDef Textiles: Reviving Tradition with Innovation
12th Reykjavík DataBeers, 25 January 2025
Empowering creativity and sustainability in textile production through digital transformation — Icelandic knitting tradition meets modern tooling.
The talk showed how the HiDef Textiles project modernises textile production by combining traditional Icelandic knitting techniques with digital design tooling. Data and slides are on GitHub.
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2024
Invited talk: Software development and people
The Icelandic Computer Society (SKÝ)
On transparency and communication between teams in software development, drawn from experience across industries.
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2023
Invited talk: Pushing Boundaries: A Data-Driven Dive into The Legend of the Ice People
Advania Autumn Conference, Harpa, Reykjavík
Where literature meets data science: insights from the Icelandic book releases and Storytel audiobooks.
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2023
Invited talk: The Legend of the Cat People
6th Reykjavík Data Beers, Orkuveita Reykjavíkur
An engineering perspective on Margit Sandemo 1980s sensation (with cat memes). All data and code on GitHub.
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2022
Panellist: The impact of language technology and AI on Icelandic
3rd European Language Resource Coordination (ELRC) workshop in Iceland
A discussion with developers, integrators and users on the status and future of language technology in Iceland.
Nothing to show at this detail level.
Seminars and colloquia
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2023
Colloquium talk: Databases, DNA and Digital Detours: From Smart Algorithms in Fish Portioning to Pioneering Pipelines in Long-Range DNA Sequencing and Digital Travel
Introduction to the IVT Faculty: A Journey by Helga Ingimundardóttir · IVT faculty meeting, 6 September 2023
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2016
Seminar presentation: ALICE: Analysis & Learning Iterative Consecutive Executions
Statistics and Bioinformatics Seminar, deCODE Genetics, Reykjavík, Iceland
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2012
Symposium presentation: Generating Training Data for Learning Linear Composite Dispatching Rules for Scheduling
ReiDok 2012 Symposium on Computational PhD Projects, University of Iceland, 3 December 2012
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2012
Seminar presentation: Creating Meaningful Training Data for Difficult JSSP Instances for Ordinal Regression
Seminar for Ph.D. students, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, March 2012
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2012
Colloquium presentation: Determining the Characteristic of Difficult JSSP Instances for a Heuristic Solution Methods
Stats colloquium, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland, February 2012
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2010
Invited speaker: Politechnika Śląska, Gliwice
Erasmus+ Teaching Staff Mobility Programme
Invited by Prof. Waldemar Grzechca; presented my doctoral research to the Faculty of Automation, Electronics and Computer Science.
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2009
Invited speaker: Université de Valenciennes et du Hainaut-Cambrésis
ENSIAME (now the Polytechnic University of Hauts-de-France)
Presented my Masters research to the faculty, as part of the collaboration with Sylvain Lalot.
Nothing to show at this detail level.
Workshops
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2026
Workshop: Stjórnvísi strategy workshop 2026–31
Stjórnvísi, Marel, Garðabær, 29 September 2026
Took part in a workshop on the association's future vision, role and strategic pillars on behalf of Stjórnvísi's AI professional group.
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2026
Workshop: Synthetic Sagas: Imaginaries for AI Futures
Saga, University of Iceland, September 2026
Discussion of AI futures and how large language models might meet the needs of artists and researchers, connected to Freyja Van den Boom’s ARTinRARE Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM).
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2016
Founding workshop: Association of Women in Science (SKVÍS)
SKVÍS
Took part in the founding workshop, developing strategies to increase the visibility of women experts in the media.
Nothing to show at this detail level.
Events
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2025
Public science event: HiDef Textiles at UTmessan
Silfurberg, Harpa, 8 February 2025
Presented the HiDef Textiles project and the intersection of textile heritage, digital technology and AI to the public.
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2024
Judging panel: FIRST® LEGO® League
16 November 2024
FIRST® LEGO® League engages students aged 10–16 in discovery, science and technology while building skills and solution-oriented thinking.
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2024
Public science event: HiDef Textiles at Rannís Science Day
Laugardalshöll, 28 September 2024
Presented the HiDef Textiles project and the intersection of textile heritage, digital technology and AI to the public at Vísindavaka, Iceland's European Researchers' Night event.
Nothing to show at this detail level.
Media
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2024
Newspaper interview: An autonomous knitting machine in the making
Morgunblaðið, Reykjavík
Coverage of three students making a 1990s knitting machine run autonomously — part of HiDef Textiles.
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2017–20
Podcast host: ÍSKISUR
Alvarpið & Storytel
Read all 47 books of Margit Sandemo Legend of the Ice People with two friends — and curated the internet-cat segment.
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2016–17
Recurring podcast guest: Tæknivarpið
Hlaðvarp Kjarnans
Discussing the latest technology, from iPhones and Star Wars to gender representation in IT.
Nothing to show at this detail level.
Service and committees
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2026
Representative of the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences to the University Forum
University of Iceland
Represented the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences at the 36th University Forum.
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2024–
IVT representative on the SENS Teaching Committee
School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland
Committee work on teaching matters, meeting roughly every two weeks to support the development of teaching and teaching practices across the school in line with University of Iceland strategy.
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2024–
Board Member, AI Expert Group
Help organise events and foster discussion, learning and networking about AI's impact on management.
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2015, 2023–
Advisor, Technology Development Fund (TDF) expert panel
Icelandic Centre for Research (Rannís)
Advising the Technology Development Fund, which supports research and development projects advancing innovation in Icelandic industry.
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2018–21
Board member of the company union
deCODE genetics
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2016
Treasurer of the company union
AGR Dynamics
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2014–15
Treasurer of the company union
Valka
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2011–12
Science Committee member
School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland
Graduate student representative on the committee that promoted research activity and cross-disciplinary discussion.
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2011
Founding member of Arkimedes
School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland
The society for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences.
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2009–11
Co-founder and Treasurer of Heron
School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland
Merged defunct student organisations into one body representing postgraduate students, and managed its finances.
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2009–10
Treasurer of BEST Reykjavík
Board of European Students of Technology (BEST)
Represented BEST Reykjavík at the General Assembly and organised two academic courses hosting 20 European students.
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2006–07
President of Stigull
School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland
The undergraduate student organisation for Mathematics and Physics.