Astrophysicist Messer Speaks to Next-Generation Computational Scientists About High Performance
Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Bronson Messer wants next-generation computational scientists to emphasize high-performance when it comes to high-performance computing. Therefore, Messer was happy to speak to recipients of the Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (CSGF) at their annual conference July 26–28 in Arlington, Virginia. “One of the primary advantages of CSGF is the opportunity for the fellows to work on some of the Department of Energy’s largest computing platforms,” Messer said. “Leadership computing may or may not be part of their thesis research, but no matter what we want to make sure they are aware of possibilities.”
Students attended poster sessions, workshops on both high-performance computing (HPC), and talks from various HPC experts. Messer told the fellows about the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility’s (OLCF’s) resources and described how fellows could obtain time on the Jaguar supercomputer for their own research. The OLCF has a special tract for allocating time to CSGF students through its Director’s Discretion program. Students also used the conference to interact with Department of Energy officials in both its Office of Science and National Nuclear Security Administration. The conference even had a poster session where students could learn about employment opportunities at the various U.S. national laboratories. —by Eric Gedenk
