Prof. Dr. Christian Plessl is a W3 Professor of High-Performance Computing at the Institute of Computer Science, University of Paderborn. He leads the Paderborn Center for Parallel Computing (PC²), a national HPC center within the NHR alliance. His roles include Director of PC², Board Member of the NHR association, and member of the Sonderforschungsbereich 901. Education: PhD (Dr. sc. ETH) in Computer Engineering, ETH Zürich (2006) MSc in Electrical Engineering, ETH Zürich (2001) Postdoc at ETH Zürich (2007–2011) Research Interests: Architecture and tools for high-performance parallel and reconfigurable computing, FPGA acceleration, quantum chemistry, scientific computing, adaptive systems, and energy-efficient HPC solutions. Key projects include EKI-App (FPGA-based neural networks), FPGA4XPCS (X-ray spectroscopy), and HighPerMeshes (unstructured grid frameworks). Publications: Over 100 peer-reviewed works, focusing on FPGA acceleration, HPC frameworks, and quantum computing. Recent trends emphasize energy-efficient neural networks, FPGA-based quantum computing, and scalable HPC algorithms. Awards: Best Paper Awards at HEART 2023, ReConFig 2012/2014 Paderborn University Research Awards (2018, 2009) SEW-EURODRIVE Student Award (2001) Grants & Projects: Principal investigator in DFG, BMBF, and EU-funded projects. Collaborates with AMD/Xilinx, Intel/Altera, and Fujitsu. Leads initiatives like PerficienCC (custom computing) and HighPerMeshes. Labs/Teams: Directs the High-Performance Computing group at PC², focusing on FPGA supercomputing and HPC infrastructure. Active in the NHR alliance for national HPC coordination.
Valerio Pascucci is a Professor at the University of Utah's School of Computing and a DOE Laboratory Fellow at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. He directs the Center for Extreme Data Management Analysis and Visualization (CEDMAV) and previously led projects at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and University of Texas at Austin. PhD in Computer Science (Purdue University, 2000) MSc in Electrical Engineering (University 'La Sapienza', Rome, 1993) As a pioneer in Big Data Management , Scientific Visualization , and Computational Topology , his work connects topological methods with progressive algorithms to enable interactive exploration of petascale datasets. His research spans climate modeling , neuroscience , materials science , and precision agriculture , focusing on multi-resolution techniques and geometric compression . Recent publications show specialization in web-based visualization and AI-driven analytics for climate data, with emphasis on equity in data access and FAIR data principles . His ViSUS project enables real-time data streaming from supercomputers to desktops, while NAPA explores GPU-based architectures for streaming algorithms. Scientific Awards : Best Paper Award, IEEE Pacific Visualization 2011 Best Application Paper Award, IEEE VIS 2006 DOE Laboratory Fellow He advises numerous graduate students and leads collaborations across national laboratories , universities , and industry . Funded by NSF Grant #2127548 , he develops technologies for exascale computing and geospatial intelligence .
Dr. Martin L. Kersten is a leading figure in database systems research at the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) in Amsterdam, Netherlands. With over three decades of contributions, his work focuses on column-oriented database architectures, scientific data management, and query optimization. Key Research Areas: Database systems, big data processing, query performance analysis, data-intensive scientific applications Projects: MonetDB, SciQL, TELEIOS, ExaNeSt His recent publications emphasize in-database machine learning , query log mining , and exascale computing . He pioneered database cracking and intermediate recycling techniques to enhance query processing efficiency. 2014 SIGMOD Edgar F. Codd Innovations Award for groundbreaking contributions to database technology Collaborations span institutions like ICDE , VLD , and EuroSys workshops. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical implementations for scientific and industrial applications.
Mark Ainsworth is a Francis Wayland Professor of Applied Mathematics at Brown University and holds a joint faculty appointment with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He obtained his PhD from Durham University (1989) and has held prominent roles such as Director of the Centre for Numerical Algorithms and Intelligent Software (2011-2012). His research focuses on numerical analysis, particularly finite element methods for partial differential equations, a posteriori error estimation, and high-performance computing challenges like resiliency on exascale systems. Education: PhD in Mathematics, Durham University, 1989 BSc in Mathematics, Durham University, 1986 Research Interests: Numerical approximation of PDEs A posteriori error estimation and adaptive methods High order finite element methods Resiliency of numerical algorithms on emerging architectures Fractional PDEs and scientific data compression Awards: SIAM Fellow (2014) FIMA (2010) Whitehead Prize (2004) J.L. Lions Prize (2004) Fellow of Royal Society of Edinburgh (2003) Grants & Leadership: Co-PI for ARO MURI on fractional PDEs (2015-2020) Directed NAIS center (2011-2012), a £5M multi-institutional initiative Organized major international conferences on computational mathematics Labs/Teams: Collaborations include Oak Ridge National Lab and international research networks in numerical analysis and scientific computing.
Tobias Neckel is an Associate Professor at the Institute for Informatics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), where he leads research projects and coordinates academic programs. He has been the project team leader of the IGGSE Project ExaNIML since 2018, main coordinator of the Ferienakademie since 2014, and Program Coordinator of the Bavarian Graduate School of Computational Engineering (BGCE) since 2009. Diploma in Technomathematik from TU München (2005) Dr. rer. nat. in Informatics from TU München (2009) Neckel's research focuses on Uncertainty Quantification, Random Differential Equations, and High Performance Computing. His work develops efficient numerical algorithms using hierarchic and adaptive methods such as octrees/spacetrees and sparse grids, with applications in fluid-structure interactions and incompressible fluid flow simulation. His research bridges theoretical mathematics with practical computational science, emphasizing robust and efficient implementations. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trajectory in multi-fidelity modeling, uncertainty quantification, and high-performance computing. Neckel has made significant contributions to scalable hierarchical approximation methods, dynamic resource management in HPC, and the application of machine learning techniques to computational science problems. His work spans diverse application domains including plasma physics, hydrology, and computational engineering. Lehrfonds prize of the TUM (2014) Ernst Otto Fischer prize of the TUM (2011) Promotionspreis des Bunds der Freunde der TU München (2009) Neckel has supervised numerous graduate students and has been actively involved in curriculum development and teaching innovation. His book "Bits and Bugs: A Scientific and Historical Review of Software Failures in Computational Science" (2019) represents a significant contribution to understanding software reliability in scientific computing. He has organized minisymposia at major conferences including SIAM CSE and SIAM UQ, and serves on program committees for various computational science conferences. As coordinator of the Ferienakademie and the BGCE, Neckel plays a central role in advanced computational engineering education in Bavaria. His research group develops software for exascale computing and contributes to the Transregional Collaborative Research Centre 89 on Invasive Computing. Neckel also maintains international collaborations, with research stays at institutions including the Australian National University and Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Aiichiro Nakano is Professor of Computer Science with joint appointments in Physics & Astronomy, Quantitative & Computational Biology, and the Collaboratory for Advanced Computing and Simulations at USC. He holds a Ph.D. in physics from University of Tokyo (1989) and has authored over 485 refereed publications in scalable algorithms, scientific machine learning, and computational materials science. Research develops AI-driven simulation methods for materials discovery, quantum computing applications, and exascale molecular dynamics. Recent work focuses on foundation models for molecular simulations, high-energy-density polymers, and nanocatalysis under extreme conditions. Publications show consistent contributions to computational science infrastructure, with accelerating focus on machine learning interatomic potentials and quantum-classical computing integration. Research bridges theoretical development with high-performance computing implementations. National Science Foundation CAREER Award
Mateo Valero Cortés is a renowned Professor of Computer Architecture at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and Director of the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC). He has held academic and leadership roles since 1974, advancing high-performance computing (HPC) and computer architecture research. His work includes pioneering contributions to vector architectures, multithreading, and instruction-level parallelism. Education includes a Telecommunications Engineering degree from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (1974) and a PhD in Telecommunications Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (1980). His research spans over 700 publications, focusing on HPC systems, parallel computing, and supercomputing infrastructure. Key research interests include vector processing, super-scalar processors, and task-based programming models. Recent work emphasizes scalable architectures for exascale computing and energy-efficient hardware-software co-design. Notable achievements include the Eckert-Mauchly Prize (highest in computer architecture), Seymour Cray Award, and Charles Babbage Prize. He has led initiatives like the Spanish Supercomputing Network (RES) and PRACE (European HPC partnership). Academic affiliations include the Royal Academy of Engineering of Spain, ACM Fellow, and IEEE Fellow. He has received 13 honorary doctorates and awards such as Mexico’s Order of the Aztec Eagle. Current projects include the Mont-Blanc HPC prototype and ERC-funded research on multi-core chip design. His BSC oversees over 300 researchers and manages MareNostrum supercomputers.
Charles Gillan is a Senior Lecturer at Queen's University Belfast's School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, affiliated with the High Performance and Distributed Computing department and the Institute of Electronics, Communications & Information Technology. His research bridges HPC systems, AI applications in healthcare, and computational physics. Key projects include managing ICU patient care via neural networks, exascale-ready mathematical packages, and edge computing architectures. Research interests focus on high-performance computing (HPC), quantum computing, real-time data analytics, and electron-molecule scattering simulations. Notable contributions include developing microserver architectures for edge analytics and advancing AI-driven clinical decision support systems. Gillan has collaborated on interdisciplinary projects like food authenticity testing using spectroscopy and improving ventilator management in intensive care units. Publications span AI in healthcare, HPC system design, and computational methods for physics problems. He has secured funding for initiatives such as the KTP partnership with Foods Connected Ltd and the HANDHELD olfactory detection project. Gillan's work emphasizes practical applications of advanced computing across healthcare, engineering, and cybersecurity domains.
Prof. Dr. Thomas Ludwig is the Director of the German Climate Computing Center (DKRZ) and a Professor at the Universität Hamburg. He holds a doctoral degree and habilitation from the Technische Universität München, with expertise in High-Performance Computing (HPC), energy efficiency, and data storage systems. His research focuses on optimizing parallel systems, storage technologies, and computational efficiency for climate science applications. He leads projects like AIMES and PeCoH, advancing HPC storage and energy-aware computing. Education: Doctoral degree and habilitation from TU München (1988–2001). Chair in Parallel Computing at Universität Heidelberg (2001–2009). Research Interests: HPC, data reduction techniques, energy-efficient systems, parallel I/O optimization, and climate modeling infrastructure. Recent Research Trends: His work emphasizes storage system efficiency, machine learning in HPC, and convergence between HPC and Big Data. Key contributions include frameworks for portability (Vecpar), automated performance tools, and energy-aware storage solutions. Awards: Some publications received recognition, e.g., a Best Paper award in 2014 for work on energy efficiency. However, no personal awards are explicitly listed. Advising & Grants: Supervised numerous theses in HPC, I/O optimization, and energy efficiency. Leads major projects funded by national and international initiatives. Labs/Teams: Heads the DKRZ team providing supercomputing and data management for climate research, collaborating with global institutions like the University of Hamburg and European research networks.
Paolo Trunfio is a Professor of Computer Engineering at the University of Calabria, Italy, and co-founder of DtoK Lab S.r.l., an academic spin-off focused on data analysis and distributed systems. He holds a Ph.D. and is affiliated with the DIMES Department, specializing in big data, cloud computing, and high-performance computing (HPC). His research emphasizes scalable data analysis frameworks, edge-cloud continuum solutions, and machine learning applications for social media and disaster monitoring. Trunfio serves as an Associate Editor for ACM Computing Surveys and Journal of Big Data , and is on the editorial boards of several journals including Future Generation Computer Systems . He has authored four influential books, including Programming Big Data Applications (2024) and Data Analysis in the Cloud (2015). His work spans distributed systems, IoT-based smart objects, and exascale computing. Notable projects include the EU-funded eFlows4HPC and ASPIDE initiatives, which focus on HPC workflows and exascale programming models. Trunfio’s publications (over 200 papers) address topics like social media analytics, energy-efficient P2P networks, and parallel data mining. He leads research in urgent computing for disaster response, edge-cloud integration for urban mobility, and AI-driven data analysis. His contributions to cloud frameworks (e.g., JS4Cloud, ParSoDA) and HPC libraries (e.g., DCEx) highlight his expertise in bridging theory and practice in distributed computing ecosystems.
George Bosilca is a Research Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, affiliated with the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Innovative Computing Laboratory. He holds a PhD in Computer Science (University of Paris XI, 2004) and an MS in Math and Computer Science (University of Paris XI, 1999). His research focuses on distributed algorithms, parallel programming paradigms, performance modeling/optimization, and resilience in programming models. He contributes to exascale computing initiatives through projects like PaRSEC and Open MPI. Key research areas include task-based runtimes, MPI standardization for exascale systems, and fault-tolerant distributed computing. His work emphasizes scalable and portable constructs for high-performance applications. Bosilca is involved with the Innovative Computing Laboratory (ICL) and collaborates on projects like the EPEXA ecosystem and Argobots threading framework. Recent publications highlight advancements in asynchronous many-task systems, GPU-accelerated collective operations, and resilience strategies for HPC platforms. His contributions span theoretical frameworks and practical implementations, bridging algorithmic innovation with real-world HPC challenges.
Garth Gibson is a Professor in the Computer Science Department and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Computer Science. He serves as Co-Director of the Master of Computational Data Science program and as Associate Dean for Master's Programs. Gibson has been a faculty member at CMU since 1991, after receiving his Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor of Mathematics in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from the University of Waterloo. Gibson's research focuses on large-scale parallelism in computer systems, secondary memory system technologies and optimization, scalable file and key-value storage systems, scalable machine learning, and systematic testing for large scale systems. His work bridges theoretical concepts with practical implementations, with a strong emphasis on shepherding technological advances from academic research to commercial reality. He has made significant contributions to RAID technology, network-attached secure disks (NASD), and parallel file systems that have shaped industry standards and products. Gibson's recent publications reveal a strong trend toward data-intensive scalable computing, with increasing focus on machine learning systems, distributed storage solutions, and high-performance computing infrastructure. His research has evolved from foundational storage technologies to address the challenges of petascale and exascale computing environments, with particular attention to the intersection of storage systems and machine learning workloads. The papers demonstrate a consistent theme of addressing system scalability challenges through innovative architectural approaches. Scientific Awards: 2014 Fellow of the IEEE for contributions to the performance and reliability of transformative storage systems 2012 Fellow of the ACM for contributions to the performance and reliability of storage systems 2012 Jean-Claude Laprie Award in Dependable Computing Industrial/Commercial Product Impact Category 2011 SIGOPS Hall of Fame for the SIGMOD88 RAID paper 1999 Reynold B. Johnson Information Storage Award 1999 Allan Newell Award for Research Excellence 1998 Test of Time Award 1991 A.C.M. Doctoral Dissertation Award (tied for second) Gibson has advised numerous graduate students who have gone on to influential positions in both academia and industry, including Swapnil Patil who won first place in the 2010 ACM Graduate Student Research Competition. He has secured significant research funding through initiatives like the DOE Petascale Data Storage Institute and the Intel Science and Technology Center for Cloud Computing. His research has been supported by collaborations with national laboratories including Los Alamos, Sandia, Oak Ridge, Pacific Northwest, and Lawrence Berkeley. Gibson founded CMU's Parallel Data Laboratory (PDL) in 1993, which has grown into a vibrant research community comprising 6-9 faculty members, 2-3 dozen students, and 4-10 staff. The PDL operates with guidance from the Parallel Data Consortium, which includes 15-25 companies interested in parallel data systems. He also founded Panasas Inc. in 1999, a scalable storage cluster company that has deployed technology in national laboratories, energy sectors, and other high-performance computing environments. More recently, Gibson established the Big Learning research group and created the Systems Major curriculum within CMU's Master of Computational Data Science program.
Sara Barsotti is a researcher at the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) specializing in volcanology and volcanic hazard assessment. Her key roles include: Associate Editor for Volcanology at Frontiers in Earth Science Review Editor for Geohazards and Georisks at Frontiers in Earth Science Contributor to the EU Center of Excellence for Exascale in Solid Earth (ChEESE) Member of the EUROVOLC citizen-science initiative Collaborator with European volcano observatories Her research focuses on computational geophysics, volcanic hazard modeling, and operational monitoring systems. She investigates tephra dispersion dynamics, lava flow behavior, and probabilistic hazard assessment using high-performance computing. Her work emphasizes European volcanic systems—particularly Icelandic eruptions—and integrates multidisciplinary approaches to improve crisis management protocols and public safety during volcanic events. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong trend toward operationalizing advanced computational methods for real-time hazard assessment. Key developments include exascale computing applications for solid earth simulations, refinement of the Aviation Colour Code system for aviation safety, and citizen-science data integration for eruption monitoring. These efforts consistently target practical risk mitigation strategies during active volcanic crises like the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption. Scientific awards: None mentioned in the provided text. While specific advised students or individual grants aren't documented, her leadership in major European projects (ChEESE, EUROVOLC) demonstrates substantial involvement in funded research initiatives. These projects coordinate transnational collaborations involving observatories, research centers, and emergency management agencies across Europe. Barsotti actively participates in integrated European volcano infrastructure teams, contributing to standardized monitoring protocols, hazard communication frameworks, and crisis response systems. Her work bridges institutional observatories (e.g., Icelandic Meteorological Office, INGV sections) with community-based monitoring tools, enhancing data collection and public engagement during volcanic unrest.
Prof. Barbara Wohlmuth is a full professor in Numerical Mathematics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), affiliated with the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology. She leads the International Graduate School of Science and Engineering at TUM and has held professorships at Stuttgart, Darmstadt, and Berlin universities. Her research focuses on numerical simulation of partial differential equations, multiscale solvers, and coupled multi-field problems with applications in engineering. Education: Studied mathematics at TUM and Université Joseph Fourier in Grenoble, received her doctorate from TUM in 1995, and completed habilitation in Augsburg. Visiting professorships in USA, France, and Hong Kong. Research interests include discretization techniques, predictive modeling, and interdisciplinary collaboration with engineering disciplines. Notable achievements: 2012 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize (Germany’s highest academic honor in sciences), 2005 Sacchi-Landriani Prize. Publications emphasize advanced numerical methods in fluid dynamics, geophysics, and biomedical engineering. Active in editorial roles for international journals and scientific committees across Europe and USA. Elected member of Bavarian and European Academies of Sciences. Key contributions include: Development of robust numerical algorithms for exascale simulations Pioneering work in coupled multi-physics modeling Innovative methods for computational contact mechanics Leadership in graduate education initiatives
Stephanie Forrest is a Professor of Computer Science at Arizona State University and serves as Director of the Biodesign Center for Biocomputation, Security and Society . She holds affiliations with the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence , Global Futures Laboratory , and Santa Fe Institute External Faculty . Education: B.A. from St. John's College M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Michigan Research Interests: Forrest specializes in the intersection of biology and computation , with key contributions to cybersecurity (anomaly detection, instruction-set randomization), automated software repair (evolutionary methods), and biological modeling (immune systems, SARS-CoV-2 spread). Her work bridges complex adaptive systems , AI/ML , and defense applications . Scientific Contributions: 2020 IEEE S&P Test of Time Award 2019 ICSE Most Influential Paper Award 2011 ACM/AAAI Allen Newell Award NSF Presidential Young Investigator (1991) IEEE Fellow Evolutionary Computation Pioneer award Publications & Grants: Her research appears in top venues (ICSE, IEEE S&P, PNAS) and is funded by the National Science Foundation , DARPA , Air Force Research Lab , and Santa Fe Institute . Key projects include Crispy (CRISPR-inspired DoS defense), GenProg (automated bug correction), and SIMCoV-GPU (agent-based pandemic modeling).
