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Department of Decision Analytics and Operations   ·   Department of Marketing | Staff List

Prof. LI Yanzhi David (李彥志教授)

PhD - Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
BEng - Computer Science (Tsinghua University)

Head (MKT)
Professor

Prof. LI Yanzhi David (李彥志教授)

Contact Information

Address: 10-232, Lau Ming Wai Academic Building
City University of Hong Kong
Phone: +852 34427253
Fax: +852 34420346
E-mail:
yanzhili@cityu.edu.hk

Yanzhi Li (David) is a Professor in the Department of Marketing and the Department of Decision Analytics and Operations, as well as an Affiliated Professor in the Department of Data Science at the City University of Hong Kong. He also serves as the Head of the Department of Marketing and was the Founding Director (2021–2025) of the Fintech and Business Analytics Centre (FBAC) at CityUHK. He earned his bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Tsinghua University and his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management (now IEDA) from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

 

Prof Li's research focuses on developing actionable insights and solution methods for business applications by integrating optimization, artificial intelligence, and consumer behavior insights. Recently, his work has centered on the interface between operations and marketing, with a focus on developing data-driven decision-making methods for pricing, assortment planning, and advertising. Many of his research findings have been adopted by leading firms, making a significant impact in practice. His papers have been published in prestigious journals, including Marketing Science, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, Operations Research, and Production and Operations Management. He co-founded Ramsi, a startup that delivers data-driven revenue management solutions for the hotel industry.

 

Prof. Li's team is now actively seeking prospective Ph.D. students who are passionate about conducting impactful research and have strong backgrounds in computer science (algorithm design, machine learning, reinforcement learning) and/or mathematics. Former Ph.D. graduates from the group have won many best paper awards and secured faculty positions in the business schools of prestigious universities, such as Sun Yat-sen University, Xiamen University, and South China University of Technology, as well as senior technology leadership roles in major enterprises such as Alibaba. 

Awards

Award Title Institution
Dean’s Research Excellence Award, 2020 City University of Hong Kong
1st Prize for Best Student Paper as Supervisor 2019 POMS International Conference in China
College Excellent PhD Supervisor Award 2016 City University of Hong Kong
JFIG Paper Competition Finalist, 2011 INFORMS
College Research Award 2009 City University of Hong Kong
Excellent Graduate Scholarship, 2006 IIE (HK)
Excellent Graduate, 2002 Tsinghua University

Consultancy Experience and Executive Training

Year Client Role
1/2020 - 12/2020 Alibaba PI, "Structuring mining and pattern discovering for e-commerce orders"
8/2018 - 7/2019 Hospital Authority PI, "Review of patient transport service for Hospital Authority"
2/2018 - 7/2019 Alibaba PI, "Dynamic assortment planning and pricing for e-commerce"
2016 - 2017 Golden Resources PI, "A logistics monitoring and scheduling system"
2016 HNA Logistics Developed and delivered a one-day workshop on Logistics Management
2015 VF (a S&P 500 company) Developed and delivered a two-day workshop on Strategic Sourcing

Professional Activities

Period Client Country / Region Role
4/2016 - Now POMS Hong Kong Chapter China (Hong Kong) Treasurer
1/2019 The 10th POMS-Hong Kong International Conference China (Hong Kong) General Chair
3/2013 - 2/2015 Hong Kong Transport Logistics Training Board China Member

External Academic Activities

Period Organizer Country / Region Role
12/2017 - 12/2022 Zhongnan University of Economics and Law China Adjunct Professor
6/2008 - 5/2010 IIE China (Hong Kong) Executive Member

Selected Publications

Journal Publications and Reviews
Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary Works