David Koonce

Dr. David Koonce is Dean of the Graduate College and Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Ohio University. Since joining the faculty in 1993, he has built a career at the intersection of artificial intelligence, manufacturing systems, and information engineering. His research has addressed topics ranging from data integration, intelligent scheduling, and data mining to manufacturing ontologies, semantic interoperability, and the application of large language models in engineering environments. His work seeks to transform complex engineering data into reusable knowledge that supports advanced analytics, automation, and decision-making.

A long-time academic leader, Dr. Koonce directed the Master of Engineering Management program before joining the Graduate College in 2012. He has twice served as Interim Dean of the Graduate College and twice served as Interim Vice President for Research and Creative Activity during periods of institutional transition, providing leadership for Ohio University's graduate education and research enterprises. He was appointed Dean of the Graduate College in 2023 and continues to champion initiatives that expand graduate opportunity, strengthen research excellence, and improve student success.

Dr. Koonce is currently serving on the Board of the International Foundation for Production Research (2025–2029).

Research Interests

Dr. Koonce's scholarship spans more than three decades and lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence, manufacturing systems, data integration, and information engineering. His research has explored neural networks, genetic algorithms, data mining, intelligent scheduling, engineering information systems, cost estimation, and manufacturing system integration. A consistent theme across this work has been the representation and use of knowledge to support human and organizational decision making in complex technical environments.

His current research focuses on ontology-based approaches for smart manufacturing and digital engineering. Recent projects investigate how ontologies, semantic technologies, and large language models can be combined to capture manufacturing knowledge, improve interoperability among heterogeneous information systems, support intelligent process planning, and enable reasoning over manufacturing resources and capabilities. Through this work, he seeks to develop practical methods that allow organizations to transform large, distributed collections of engineering data into reusable knowledge that supports automation, analytics, and informed decision making.

Publications

Refereed Journal Articles

Koonce, D., & Šormaz, D. (2021). Metrics to gauge the success of a manufacturing ontology. Procedia Manufacturing, 38, 1678–1682.

Sarkar, A., Šormaz, D., Koonce, D., & Farah, S. (2021). Developing a resource-based manufacturing process capability ontology. Communications in Computer and Information Science, 1407. Springer.

Kale, R., Koonce, D., Drozek, D., & Choi, J. (2013). Evaluation of feedback enabled active colonoscopy training model. Journal of Medical Devices, 7.

Matta, V., Koonce, D., & Jeyaraj, A. (2011). Initiation, experimentation, implementation of innovations: The case for radio frequency identification systems. International Journal of Information Management, 32, 164–174.

Matta, V., & Koonce, D. (2009). Semantic breakdown of functionality of a matrix of RFID technology to support application development. Journal of Computer Information Systems, 49, 54–59.

Weckman, G., Ganduri, C., & Koonce, D. (2008). A neural network job-shop scheduler based on knowledge extraction from a genetic algorithm. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, 19, 191–201.

Koonce, D., Gandhi, R., Nambiar, A., & Judd, R. (2007). Identifying and removing error in hierarchical cost estimates. International Journal of Production Economics, 109, 41–52.

Koonce, D., Judd, R., Sormaz, D., & Masel, D. (2003). A hierarchical cost estimation tool. Computers in Industry, 50, 293–302.

Koonce, D., & Judd, R. (2001). A visual modeling language for EXPRESS schemata. International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing, 14, 457–472.

Koonce, D., & Tsai, S. (2000). Using data mining to find patterns in genetic algorithm solutions to a job shop schedule. Computers and Industrial Engineering, 38, 361–374.

Dhamija, D., Koonce, D., & Judd, R. (1997). Development of a unified data meta-model for CAD-CAPP-MRP-NC verification integration. Computers and Industrial Engineering, 33, 19–22.

Koonce, D., Judd, R., & Parks, C. (1996). Manufacturing systems engineering and design: An intelligent, multimodel integration architecture. International Journal on Computer Integration, 9, 443–453.

Parks, C., Koonce, D., Rabelo, L., Judd, R., & Sauter, J. (1994). Model-based manufacturing integration: A paradigm for virtual manufacturing systems engineering. Computers in Industrial Engineering, 27, 357–360.

Koonce, D., Parks, C., & Keys, L. (1994). A dynamic, real-time approach to long duration manufacturing schedule monitoring and control. Computers and Industrial Engineering, 26.

Koonce, D., & Parks, C. (1991). Low volume manufacturing schedule monitoring and control using a symbolic programming approach. Computers and Industrial Engineering, 21, 1–4.

Parks, C., Graves, G., & Koonce, D. (1989). Computer aided process planning with CMPP. Computers and Industrial Engineering, 17, 1–4.

Book Chapters and Edited Volumes

Abir, R. A. H., Malik, M., Šormaz, D., Adjei, P., Asare, F., Koonce, D., & Seeharit, S. (2025). Ontology model for mapping terms and relations in plastic manufacturing: A case study. In Building Resilience into Production: Contemporary Challenges for the Future. Springer Nature Switzerland.

Šormaz, D., Sarkar, A., & Koonce, D. (2023). Application integration in smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 using ontologies. In Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Production Research – Americas. Springer.

Anderson, C., Mattley, C., Conley, V., & Koonce, D. (2014). Community colleges and the reproduction of gender in the academy: Experiences of women STEM faculty. In Gender Transformation in the Academy (Vol. 19, pp. 41–62). Emerald Group Publishing.

Koonce, D., Judd, R., & Keyser, T. (2001). A cost estimation tool integrated into FIPER. In J. Mo & L. Nemes (Eds.), Global Engineering, Manufacturing and Enterprise Networks. Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Refereed Conference Proceedings

Adjei, Peter, Felix Asare, Dušan Šormaz, Riad Al Hasan Abir, Mandvi Fuloria, David Koonce, and Saruda Seeharit. 2023. "Application of Ontology Reasoning in Machining Process Planning – Case Study." Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing: Establishing Bridges for More Sustainable Manufacturing, Proceedings of FAIM 2023, June 18–22, 2023.

Hening, D., and David Koonce. 2015. "Identifying an Assessable Set of Soft Skills Engineers Need to Succeed." Proceedings of the 2015 International Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering.

Hening, D., and David Koonce. 2015. "Important Soft Skills for Engineers to Succeed in a Working Environment." Proceedings of the 2015 International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 3–5, 2015.

Koonce, David, and D. Hening. 2014. "Missing Data Imputation Method Comparison in Ohio University Student Retention Database." Proceedings of the 2014 International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 34.

Koonce, David, and D. Hening. 2014. "Soft Skills through Engineering Cooperative Education Settings at Ohio University." Proceedings of the 2014 International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, 39.

Sarkar, A., and David Koonce. 2013. "Heterogeneous Data Model Integration SIDOS – Architecture and Concept." Proceedings of the IIE Annual Conference and Expo.

Anderson, C., C. Mattley, V. Conley, and David Koonce. 2011. "Community Colleges as Gendered Organizations: Understanding Workplace Power and Women in STEM through a Gendered Organizational Justice Lens." Proceedings of the American Sociological Association 2011.

Koonce, David, J. Zhou, V. Conley, D. Hening, and C. Anderson. 2011. "What Is STEM?" Proceedings of the 2011 American Society for Engineering Education Conference.

Koonce, David, V. Conley, D. Hening, and C. Anderson. 2011. "An Analysis of Female STEM Faculty at Public Two-Year Institutions." Proceedings of the 2011 American Society for Engineering Education Conference.

Koonce, David, C. Anderson, V. Conley, and C. Mattley. 2011. "Satisfaction of Female Faculty at Public Two-Year Institutions." Proceedings of the 2011 American Society for Engineering Education Conference.

Koonce, David, V. Conley, J. Zhou, and C. Anderson. 2011. "STEM Education vs. Occupation: A Supply and Demand Analysis." Proceedings of the 2011 Industrial Engineering Research Conference.

Koonce, David. 2010. "A Preliminary Analysis of Business Processes in RFID Implementation." Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Systems 2010.

Koonce, David, V. Conley, C. Anderson, and D. Hening. 2010. "Career Success for Female STEM Faculty at Public Two-Year Institutions." Proceedings of the 2010 American Society for Engineering Education Conference.

Koonce, David, H. Bharti, and V. Matta. 2010. "Refining the Functional Breakdown of RFID Applications." Proceedings of the Industrial Engineering Research Conference.

Koonce, David, V. Matta, and H. Bharti. 2009. "Analyzing the Semantic Breakdown of Functionality in RFID Applications." Proceedings of the 2009 Industrial Engineering Research Conference.

Koonce, David, and R. Craig. 2009. "A Quality Function Deployment Methodology for Product Development." Proceedings of the 2009 Industrial Engineering Research Conference.

Hening, A., and David Koonce. 2009. "Data Imputation to Identify Potential Dropouts." Proceedings of the 2009 Industrial Engineering Research Conference.

Koonce, David, and N. Shah. 2008. "A Classification for Maps Between WBS Elements to Support Automated Hierarchical Cost Estimation." Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Digital Enterprise Technology.

Roth, S., and David Koonce. 2008. "A Model to Predict Ohio University Student Retention from Admissions and Involvement Data." Proceedings of the 2008 Industrial Engineering Research Conference.

Koonce, David, N. Shah, R. Gandhi, A. Nambiar, and R. Judd. 2006. "Consistency Issues in Estimating Cost with a WBS." Proceedings of the 16th CIRP International Design Seminar.

Koonce, David, C. Ganduri, and Dušan Šormaz. 2006. "A Cell Formation Algorithm Based on Dimensionality Reduction of the Part-Machine Incidence Matrix." Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Group Technology / Cellular Manufacturing.

Šormaz, Dušan, David Koonce, and R. Judd. 2005. "Manufacturing Knowledge Capture for FIPER Cost Estimation Tool." Proceedings of the 12th ISPE Conference on Concurrent Engineering, Fort Worth, TX.

Koonce, David, R. Gandhi, and R. Judd. 2005. "Cost Calibration: An Algorithmic Approach." Proceedings of the 12th ISPE Conference on Concurrent Engineering, Fort Worth, TX.

Koonce, David, and D. Rytzarev. 2005. "Using Data Mining to Build a Regression Model for TSP Tour Building." Proceedings of the IIE 2005 Annual Conference.

Koonce, David, and V. Matta. 2005. "Resistance in Adoption of Radio Frequency Identification Systems in the Supply Chain Industry." Proceedings of the IIE 2005 Annual Conference.

Weckman, G. R., C. Ganduri, and David Koonce. 2004. "Rule Driven Job-Shop Scheduling Derived from Neural Networks." Intelligent Engineering through Artificial Neural Networks, 929–934.

Ganduri, C., G. R. Weckman, and David Koonce. 2004. "A Reactive Neural Network That Identifies Schedule Fitness in a Job-Shop Environment." Proceedings of the IIE 2004 Annual Conference.

Koonce, David, Dušan Šormaz, D. Masel, and R. Judd. 2004. "Cost Estimation Methodology Using Hybrid Hierarchical Approach." Proceedings of the 13th Industrial Engineering Research Conference.

Šormaz, Dušan, R. Judd, David Koonce, and A. Nambiar. 2004. "Development of Cost Library for Manufacturing Processes in Cost Estimation Tool." Proceedings of the 13th Industrial Engineering Research Conference.

Shah, N., and David Koonce. 2004. "Using Distributed Genetic Algorithms for Solving Job Shop Scheduling Problems." Proceedings of the IIE 2004 Annual Conference.

Koonce, David, and S. Gandhi. 2004. "Applying Inductive Logic Programming for Knowledge Discovery in Genetic Algorithm Solutions to a Job Shop Schedule." Proceedings of the IIE 2004 Annual Conference.

Shah, N., and David Koonce. 2003. "A Genetic Algorithm Tool to Generate Cell Schedules." Proceedings of the Group Technology/Cellular Manufacturing World Symposium 2003, 227–230.

Koonce, David, and A. Mehta. 2003. "Refined Rule Induction for Job-Shop Scheduling." Proceedings for IIE 2003 Annual Conference.

Chinchilla, R., J. Hoag, David Koonce, H. Kruse, S. Osterman, and Y. Wang. 2002. "Characterization of Internet Traffic and User Classification: Foundations for the Next Generation of Network Emulation." Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Telecommunication Systems, Modeling and Analysis.

Koonce, David, and S. Chenhansa. 2002. "An Approach in Applying XML to Logistics Communication." Proceedings of the IIE 2002 Annual Conference.

Kantak, S., and David Koonce. 2002. "Improving the Data Mining Exploration Technique for Job Shop Schedules by Using Multiple Data Sets." Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Engineering Design and Automation, 31–36.

Koonce, David, A. Trasi, and R. Judd. 2001. "Cost Estimation with Feature Recognition." Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Engineering Design and Automation, 208–222.

Koonce, David, R. Judd, and T. Keyser. 2000. "A Cost Estimation Tool Integrated into FIPER." Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Design of Information Infrastructure Systems for Manufacturing.

Koonce, David, R. Judd, T. Keyser, B. VerDuin, M. Bailey, R. Kolonay, B. Wujek, N. Cawley, and M. Benjamin. 2000. "A Federated Intelligent Product Environment (FIPER)." Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Engineering Design and Automation, 106–109.

Koonce, David, R. Judd, and V. Majeti. 1999. "An Integration of Common Manufacturing Design Tools Using the IMDE Architecture." Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Engineering Design and Automation, 746–752.

Judd, R., C. Nie, and David Koonce. 1999. "VQL, a Visual Query Language for STEP Data Files." Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Engineering Design and Automation, 545–552.

Koonce, David, R. Judd, and C. Nie. 1999. "VQL, a Visual Query Language for EXPRESS." Proceedings of the 1999 Industrial Engineering Research Conference.

Koonce, David, D. Dhamija, and R. Judd. 1999. "Using Meta-Data to Integrate Cost Estimation into the Manufacturing Design Process." Proceedings of the 1999 NSF Design and Manufacturing Grantees Conference.

Koonce, David, and R. Judd. 1998. "An EXPRESS Based Integration of CIM Tools." Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering Design and Automation.

Han, J., Dušan Šormaz, David Koonce, and C. Parks. 1998. "Formation of Machine and Part Cells with Consideration of Alternative Process Plans." Proceedings of the Engineering Design and Automation Conference.

Koonce, David, R. Judd, and L. Huang. 1998. "Tools for Using STEP Files to Integrate Heterogeneous Software Systems." Proceedings of the Industrial Engineering Research '98 Conference.

Judd, R., D. Dhamija, and David Koonce. 1998. "The Integration of Data from Multiple Heterogeneous Manufacturing Software Systems." Proceedings of the Industrial Engineering Research '98 Conference.

Koonce, David, L. Huang, and R. Judd. 1998. "EQL: An EXPRESS Query Language." Proceedings of the 21st Annual Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering.

Judd, R., David Koonce, D. Dhamija, L. Huang, C. Subramainian, and C. Johnson. 1998. "The Integration of Manufacturing System Data: Tools and Application." Proceedings of the 1998 NSF Design and Manufacturing Grantees Conference, 163–164.

Dhamija, D., David Koonce, and R. Judd. 1998. "Consistency Issues in Manufacturing Data Integration." Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Engineering Design and Automation.

Koonce, David, D. Dhamija, and R. Judd. 1997. "An Integrated Model for Manufacturing Information Exchange." Proceedings of the 6th Industrial Engineering Research Conference, 531–536.

Koonce, David, R. Judd, and D. Dhamija. 1997. "An Integrated Manufacturing Information Environment." Proceedings of the 1997 NSF Design and Manufacturing Grantees Conference, 95–96.

Koonce, David, C. Fang, and S. Tsai. 1997. "A Data Mining Tool for Learning from Manufacturing Systems." Proceedings of the 21st Annual Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering.

Dreer, P., and David Koonce. 1996. "Integration Extensions for Computer Integrated Manufacturing Applications." Proceedings of the 19th Annual Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering.

Koonce, David, and M. Rowe. 1996. "A Formal Methodology for Information Model Level Integration in CIM Systems." Proceedings of the 19th Annual Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering.

Parks, C., David Koonce, and R. Judd. 1996. "Model Based Engineering Software Systems Integration." Industrial Engineering Research Conference, 742–757.

Koonce, David. 1995. "Information Model Level Integration of CIM Systems: A Unified Database Approach to Concurrent Engineering." Proceedings of the 17th Annual Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering.

Dreer, P., and David Koonce. 1995. "Development of an Integrated Information Model for Computer Integrated Manufacturing." Proceedings of the 17th Annual Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering.

Parks, C., David Koonce, L. Rabelo, and R. Judd. 1994. "Virtual Manufacturing: A New Paradigm for Manufacturing Systems Engineering." Proceedings of the 16th Annual Conference on Computers and Industrial Engineering.