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Bartolomeo Stellato

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Published work

7 published item(s)

preprint2026arXiv

Distributionally-Robust Learning to Optimize

We propose a distributionally robust approach to learning hyperparameters for first-order methods in convex optimization. Given a dataset of problem instances, we minimize a Wasserstein distributionally robust version of the performance estimation problem (PEP) over algorithm parameters such as step sizes. Our framework unifies two extremes: as the robustness radius vanishes, we recover classical learning to optimize (L2O); as it grows, we recover worst-case optimal algorithm design via PEP. We solve the resulting problem with stochastic gradient descent, differentiating through the solution of an inner semidefinite program at each step. We prove high-probability bounds showing that the true risk of the learned algorithm is at most the in-sample L2O optimum plus a slack that shrinks with the sample size, and is no worse than the worst-case PEP bound. On unconstrained quadratic minimization, LASSO, and linear programming benchmarks, our learned algorithms achieve strong out-of-sample performance with certifiable robustness, outperforming both worst-case optimal and vanilla L2O baselines.

preprint2025arXiv

GeNIOS: an (almost) second-order operator-splitting solver for large-scale convex optimization

We introduce the GEneralized Newton Inexact Operator Splitting solver (GeNIOS) for large-scale convex optimization. GeNIOS speeds up ADMM by approximately solving approximate subproblems: it uses a second-order approximation to the most challenging ADMM subproblem and solves it inexactly with a fast randomized solver. Despite these approximations, GeNIOS retains the convergence rate of classic ADMM and can detect primal and dual infeasibility from the algorithm iterates. At each iteration, the algorithm solves a positive-definite linear system that arises from a second-order approximation of the first subproblem and computes an approximate proximal operator. GeNIOS solves the linear system using an indirect solver with a randomized preconditioner, making it particularly useful for large-scale problems with dense data. Our high-performance open-source implementation in Julia allows users to specify convex optimization problems directly (with or without conic reformulation) and allows extensive customization. We illustrate GeNIOS's performance on a variety of problem types. Notably, GeNIOS is up to ten times faster than existing solvers on large-scale, dense problems.

preprint2022arXiv

Embedded Code Generation with CVXPY

We introduce CVXPYgen, a tool for generating custom C code, suitable for embedded applications, that solves a parametrized class of convex optimization problems. CVXPYgen is based on CVXPY, a Python-embedded domain-specific language that supports a natural syntax (that follows the mathematical description) for specifying convex optimization problems. Along with the C implementation of a custom solver, CVXPYgen creates a Python wrapper for prototyping and desktop (non-embedded) applications. We give two examples, position control of a quadcopter and back-testing a portfolio optimization model. CVXPYgen outperforms a state-of-the-art code generation tool in terms of problem size it can handle, binary code size, and solve times. CVXPYgen and the generated solvers are open-source.

preprint2020arXiv

From predictions to prescriptions: A data-driven response to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges worldwide. Strained healthcare providers make difficult decisions on patient triage, treatment and care management on a daily basis. Policy makers have imposed social distancing measures to slow the disease, at a steep economic price. We design analytical tools to support these decisions and combat the pandemic. Specifically, we propose a comprehensive data-driven approach to understand the clinical characteristics of COVID-19, predict its mortality, forecast its evolution, and ultimately alleviate its impact. By leveraging cohort-level clinical data, patient-level hospital data, and census-level epidemiological data, we develop an integrated four-step approach, combining descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics. First, we aggregate hundreds of clinical studies into the most comprehensive database on COVID-19 to paint a new macroscopic picture of the disease. Second, we build personalized calculators to predict the risk of infection and mortality as a function of demographics, symptoms, comorbidities, and lab values. Third, we develop a novel epidemiological model to project the pandemic's spread and inform social distancing policies. Fourth, we propose an optimization model to re-allocate ventilators and alleviate shortages. Our results have been used at the clinical level by several hospitals to triage patients, guide care management, plan ICU capacity, and re-distribute ventilators. At the policy level, they are currently supporting safe back-to-work policies at a major institution and equitable vaccine distribution planning at a major pharmaceutical company, and have been integrated into the US Center for Disease Control's pandemic forecast.

preprint2020arXiv

OSQP: An Operator Splitting Solver for Quadratic Programs

We present a general-purpose solver for convex quadratic programs based on the alternating direction method of multipliers, employing a novel operator splitting technique that requires the solution of a quasi-definite linear system with the same coefficient matrix at almost every iteration. Our algorithm is very robust, placing no requirements on the problem data such as positive definiteness of the objective function or linear independence of the constraint functions. It can be configured to be division-free once an initial matrix factorization is carried out, making it suitable for real-time applications in embedded systems. In addition, our technique is the first operator splitting method for quadratic programs able to reliably detect primal and dual infeasible problems from the algorithm iterates. The method also supports factorization caching and warm starting, making it particularly efficient when solving parametrized problems arising in finance, control, and machine learning. Our open-source C implementation OSQP has a small footprint, is library-free, and has been extensively tested on many problem instances from a wide variety of application areas. It is typically ten times faster than competing interior-point methods, and sometimes much more when factorization caching or warm start is used. OSQP has already shown a large impact with tens of thousands of users both in academia and in large corporations.

preprint2020arXiv

The Voice of Optimization

We introduce the idea that using optimal classification trees (OCTs) and optimal classification trees with-hyperplanes (OCT-Hs), interpretable machine learning algorithms developed by Bertsimas and Dunn [2017, 2018], we are able to obtain insight on the strategy behind the optimal solution in continuous and mixed-integer convex optimization problem as a function of key parameters that affect the problem. In this way, optimization is not a black box anymore. Instead, we redefine optimization as a multiclass classification problem where the predictor gives insights on the logic behind the optimal solution. In other words, OCTs and OCT-Hs give optimization a voice. We show on several realistic examples that the accuracy behind our method is in the 90%-100% range, while even when the predictions are not correct, the degree of suboptimality or infeasibility is very low. We compare optimal strategy predictions of OCTs and OCT-Hs and feedforward neural networks (NNs) and conclude that the performance of OCT-Hs and NNs is comparable. OCTs are somewhat weaker but often competitive. Therefore, our approach provides a novel insightful understanding of optimal strategies to solve a broad class of continuous and mixed-integer optimization problems.

preprint2016arXiv

High-Speed Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control for Power Electronics

Common approaches for direct model predictive control (MPC) for current reference tracking in power electronics suffer from the high computational complexity encountered when solving integer optimal control problems over long prediction horizons. We propose an efficient alternative method based on approximate dynamic programming, greatly reducing the computational burden and enabling sampling times below 25 $μ$s. Our approach is based on the offline estimation of an infinite horizon value function which is then utilized as the tail cost of an MPC problem. This allows us to reduce the controller horizon to a very small number of stages while simultaneously improving the overall controller performance. Our proposed algorithm was implemented on a small size FPGA and validated on a variable speed drive system with a three-level voltage source converter. Time measurements showed that our algorithm requires only 5.76 $μ$s for horizon N = 1 and 17.27 $μ$s for N = 2, in both cases outperforming state of the art approaches with much longer horizons in terms of currents distortion and switching frequency. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time direct MPC for current control has been implemented on an FPGA solving the integer optimization problem in real-time and achieving comparable performance to formulations with long prediction horizons.