SC Conference Series

My journey into High-Performance Computing (HPC) began in 2008 while I was serving as Dean of the Barcelona School of Informatics at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC). There, I led the adaptation of Computer Science studies to align with the European Higher Education Area, pioneering parallelism as a mandatory undergraduate subject—one of the first such initiatives in Europe. But my story starts long before—back in 1987—when a passion for conceptual modeling, ontologies, and their applications, particularly in learning analytics, led me to a career as a computer scientist and professor. With over 35 years of experience in software engineering, I have led research projects, collaborated with industry and academia, and developed expertise in curriculum design and quality assurance. In 2012, while continuing as a professor, I joined the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC) as Manager of Education and Training. My mission is to train researchers in HPC career paths across academia and industry, fostering a stimulating educational environment that blends professional training with rigorous postgraduate studies. At BSC, I established the PRACE Training Center and later the BSC Training Center, designing programs that provide the scientific community access to HPC resources and training. I also launched the Research Seminar Series (SORS), which has hosted over 400 lectures, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration. I actively contribute to European HPC education projects, including the European Master EuMaster4HPC and CASTIEL2 on Training, Twinning, and Mentoring. Looking ahead, I am excited to launch the European project EVITA, fostering a dynamic community of learners, educators, and industry professionals, and supporting AI-factory training at BSC. Education is a cornerstone of a just and equitable society. As our community grows, I remain committed to expanding opportunities for those eager to engage with HPC. I am Dr. Maria-Ribera Sancho, Manager of Education and Training at BSC and Professor of Informatics at UPC. #whm25 #sc25 #hpcignites

I started my career as a researcher in applied physics running 2D laser diagnostics in turbulent combustion to detect air pollutants. Later I led a research project on soot inception in flames at the German Aerospace Center. In parallel, chemists were modelling the soot creation with complex systems of chemical equations. Little I knew at that time about the computational needs of such modelling. After a career in leadership roles in IT Infrastructure services, outsourcing and sales, I reconnected with research outcomes and business results achievable with HPC. In 2020 I joined Microsoft to lead the HPC Business on Azure in EMEA. Before that, my team delivered Germany’s largest supercomputer in 2018, listed under the top 10 in the Top500. At Microsoft Azure I lead an expert HPC sales team who offer HPC & AI based architectures to solve complex problems. From autonomous driving systems to accelerated simulations, from workspaces for engineers to risk grid transformation in financial markets, from digital twins of wind farms to genomics research. I love igniting the spark of interest by sharing innovative success stories. “The pasta puzzle: Decoding durum wheat’s DNA for a sustainable future”, featured in HPCwire this January. I have been mentoring women throughout my career, giving back the support I received. I value womens’ networks like the EWMD and I serve as a mentor for digital strategy at the EWOB, the European Women On Boards organisation. Besides photography, I remain passionate about HPC and I am inspiring other women to join the global community. My name is Antigoni Chrysostomou and I am EMEA Director for Azure HPC, AI at Microsoft. #whm25 #sc25 #hpcignites

For nearly a decade, I have immersed myself in the research computing and data (RCD) community, and it has been an incredibly rewarding journey. My path to the RCD community began at the Rutgers University's Office of Advanced Research Computing (OARC) in my role as Senior Program Coordinator. There, I played a pivotal role in shaping OARC's presence at events, led human resource and workforce development, and spearheaded communication and marketing strategies. My involvement in the broader research computing and data community has opened up many opportunities. From serving as the Communications Chair for multiple PEARC Conferences, to completing the CyberAmbassadors Program Facilitator Training, participating in CaRCC’s CI Professionalization working group, and serving on SC21’s Inclusivity Committee - Early Career Program, I have been able to contribute to initiatives that drive innovation and progress. Recently, I joined the San Diego Supercomputer Center's (SDSC) Stack Science Division, where I work on exciting projects such as the NSF-funded Science Gateways Center of Excellence (SGX3) and the Hubzero? platform. As the Community Manager for SGX3, I am involved in planning events such as the annual conference, webinars, and workforce development events, fostering collaboration between stakeholders, and ensuring the success. Additionally, as the Project Manager for the Hubzero? platform, I have the privilege of supporting clients in their projects and facilitating development efforts between our team and science gateway projects. Being part of this community has not only enhanced my professional growth but has also allowed me to build a broad network of like-minded individuals who inspire and challenge me every day. Joining these communities has been a transformative experience, and I look forward to learning, growing, and innovating in this ever-evolving field. My name is Janae Baker, MLER and I serve as Project Manager for San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC). #whm25 #sc25 #HPCignites

My name is Margaret Duff, and I am a computational scientist in imaging as part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, STFC Scientific Computing Department, which supports research in astronomy, physics and space science, and operates world-class research facilities for the UK. My background is in mathematics, specialising in inverse problems—where we reconstruct information from incomplete or noisy measurements. These problems are everywhere in science, from astronomy to medical imaging, and often require high-performance computing (HPC) to process large-scale data efficiently. My journey into imaging began during a summer research placement at Cambridge, working on parasite detection in light-microscopy images. This sparked my interest in imaging and large-scale data processing. I pursued a master’s in applied mathematics at Cambridge and later a PhD at the University of Bath (SAMBa CDT), focusing on generative models for inverse problems. My research explored how machine learning can enhance image reconstruction, such as reducing MRI scan times by incorporating prior information from existing scans. This introduced me to parallel computing, GPUs, and large-scale optimisation—essential tools for tackling computational challenges in imaging. At STFC, I develop algorithms for the Core Imaging Library (CIL), an open-source Python framework for tomographic imaging. My work focuses on accelerating iterative reconstruction methods and integrating advanced optimisation techniques to handle increasingly complex datasets from large-scale experimental facilities. As detectors grow larger and multi-modal imaging becomes more common, scalable algorithms are essential for efficiently extracting information. Beyond research, I am passionate about outreach, serving on my department’s public engagement and EDI committees and volunteering with Girlguiding and the Scouts. I have found that getting involved, saying yes to opportunities, builds valuable connections and helps to see how your work fits into a wider context. #whm25 #hpcignites #sc25

Have a topic that the HPC community should be discussing? SC25 Birds of a Feather sessions offer a platform for open dialogue on the latest trends, challenges, and innovations. Unlike traditional presentations, BoFs are designed for interactive discussions—where the audience actively participates, shares insights, and helps drive the conversation forward. Whether your focus is AI, quantum computing, exascale systems, or emerging HPC technologies, leading a BoF session is a great way to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and make an impact.

Growing up in India at the cusp of the new millennium, you chose between two careers if you wanted to be deemed ‘successful’ - engineering or medicine. Medicine was not for me, and I enjoyed problem-solving, so engineering it was! After completing my bachelor’s in Computer Science and Engineering in 2005, I worked at Infosys - where I learned the foundations of software engineering, much of which I still use today. I came to the US in 2007 to pursue a Master's in Computer Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. On graduation, my advisor recommended I talk to the (then) newly-formed National Institute for Computational Sciences. Like they say, the rest is history. Last September marked 15 years at NICS - and what a joy it has been! Research computing keeps me captivated with its mission of science for science’s sake. At NICS, I worked through multiple facets of research computing - starting in user support, then as a research software engineer, managing the Operations group, and now serving as its Interim director. What I truly love about my roles is serving as the conduit between researchers and cyberinfrastructure. In the past decade, I’ve seen new communities join research computing. Traditional fields like astrophysics and chemistry now have partners in sociology and business. There’s also an earnest effort to broaden research computing’s reach. Recognizing the value of community in my career, I am passionate about paying this forward. I’m excited to be involved in the Building Research Innovation at Community Colleges project - bridging research gaps between research-intensive universities and community colleges. Drawing inspiration from this effort and others like it, I’ve co-created the Tennessee-RCD - a consortium for cyberinfrastructure practitioners in Tennessee. We’re in our second year with over a dozen participating institutions. I am excited to be part of this computing era where the possibilities seem endless, and we’re, as a collective, constantly striving to make it more equitable and accessible for all. My name is Tabitha Samuel, and I’m the Interim Director at the National Institute for Computational Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. #SC25 #WHM25 #HPCignites

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in high-performance computing, CommUNITY@SC25 provides the training and hands-on experience you need to succeed. This program invites individuals from underserved communities in the St. Louis area to work with the SCinet Committee and gain exposure to cutting-edge network technologies, all while fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. By being part of this program, you’ll connect with a global network of HPC professionals, enhancing your career opportunities and skills. Apply Now! https://buff.ly/3CFc7Pp

From my undergraduate degree in Astrophysics, to a PhD in developing a Monte Carlo model for aiding breast cancer detection, computational simulations have enabled me to explore big questions and try to make a difference. My PhD work was my first experience of parallel programming, which has paved the way for my work today. I began at EPCC in 2022 and have worked on a myriad of projects since, including the suitability of Rust for HPC applications, profiling code for some of our industry partners, using ML to classify medical images, supervising MSc dissertations, and working as an RSE on ARCHER2, the UK’s research supercomputer. I am driven by my desires to help people and solve interesting problems. Through my technical work I’ve had the opportunity to travel to conferences, and present, even winning a poster competition at ISC last year. I am also heavily involved in our outreach programmes where I’ve been able to connect with and inspire the next generation of students who might want to be part of HPC. My name is Laura Moran, and I am an Applications Consultant at EPCC. #whm25 #sc25 #hpcignites

I’m currently a Project Manager at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, my interest in High-Performance Computing (HPC) grew as I worked on impactful projects like the Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP), the Cellular Senescence Network (SenNet), and the Brain Image Library (BIL), where I witnessed how HPC is essential for analyzing complex biological data. The more I engaged with these projects, the more fascinated I became by the role HPC plays in supporting scientific discovery. In my role, I focus on streamlining operations and creating processes that enhance efficiency across teams. I collaborate with both development and communications teams, organizing workflows and coordinating efforts to ensure that each team’s expertise is fully leveraged. I also support the collection, management, and dissemination of data, helping teams make informed decisions that drive progress. Beyond the technical aspects of my work, I am committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the HPC field. By advocating for a range of voices and perspectives, I help ensure that the field continues to grow and reflect the diversity of its community. For me, working in HPC is a chance to contribute to meaningful progress. I’m excited to be part of this ever-evolving field and look forward to continuing my journey of learning and growth alongside it. My name is Alison McWilliams, CSM, AJP McWilliams, CSM, and I’m a Project Manager at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center. #HPCignites #WHM25 #SC25

Do you know a groundbreaking HPC research or innovation that has stood the test of time? The SC25 Test of Time Award is your chance to honor work that has had a lasting impact on our field. This prestigious award recognizes contributions that continue to shape the future of HPC and inspire new generations. https://buff.ly/3Q3CGAQ