Longstanding Dedication

Along with his longstanding dedication to the SC Conference and varied interests in parallel programming, operating systems, computer networks, and distributed systems, Hollingsworth has significantly invested in bringing students to HPC. In the past, he co-founded efforts such as the Experiencing HPC for Undergraduates Program to introduce more young people to HPC research and, in turn, the SC Conference. Today, after nearly 25 years of volunteer service to SC, Hollingworth continues to see computing as an exciting field and the SC Conference as a prime launchpad for those seeking to kick off their own I AM HPC story.

Jeffrey K. Hollingsworth

Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, University of Maryland (UMD)

Jeff on Linkedin

Q: What single event most made you realize you wanted a career in HPC/computing?

Hollingsworth: Hearing that my undergraduate institution (Berkeley) was getting a Cray Supercomputer. I had seen a Cray computer on a visit to LLNL [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory] and was excited that Berkeley was going to get one.

Q: What do you consider your biggest contribution to the HPC/computing community?

Hollingsworth: Helping to make auto-tuning of software a reality. HPC professionals spend so much time tuning code to get it to run faster. Automating part of that process is a real game changer.

Q: In the past 35 years, what is the most significant overlooked breakthrough that has impacted the field in your eyes?

Hollingsworth: How much more reliable computers have become (especially at the board/device level) over that period of time. The scale of systems today has, in large part, been made possible by increased reliability of individual parts.

Q: What would you like to see change about, within, or among the HPC/computing community?

Hollingsworth: More young people to view HPC as an exciting field to join.

Panels at SC23

We are currently accepting panel submissions until April 28, 2023.

Engage the HPC Community

As a panelist at SC23, you will have the opportunity to share your ideas and insights with some of the foremost experts in the industry. You can network with other attendees, learn about the latest advances in HPC, and make a name for yourself as a thought leader in the field. This is a chance to engage the field while we’re all under one roof, so bring your hot takes, best practices, recipes for success, common pitfalls, and of course, an appetite for discussion.

Various panels, encompassing both technical and non-technical subjects, are highly recommended. This presents a chance for individuals of all backgrounds, including experts, HPC veterans, or novices, to partake in discussions relevant to the field. The most captivating panels combine compelling and diverse opinions – so don’t hesitate to step forward and express your thoughts.

Topics can remain in a particular subdomain, or apply to HPC more broadly. Panels at SC22 did both, including “Computing at the Edge: A Discussion about Supporting Recent US Space Missions” and “Relaxing Correctness via Approximate Computing: Is It Feasible in HPC?”. Panels can be forward-looking, asking open-ended questions that propose completely novel or revolutionary approaches with technologies yet to come. They can also be reflective, addressing the most prominent challenges and pains that many in the room had no doubt experienced.

Technical topics aren’t the only ones that gather an active crowd. Popular panels from years passed span a range of topics, such as “Strategies for Working Remotely: Sustainable Hybrid Approaches for HPC” from SC21, and “Empowering STEM Women with Skills for Success: How to Offset the Paradoxical Skills Asymmetry at a Workplace” from SC22.

SC23 Panels present an opportunity to try out new ideas, share experiences, and get feedback from the prominent figures in industry, academia, national laboratories, and everywhere in between. These interactive sessions foster a collaborative environment, enabling participants to learn, grow, and further refine their ideas while expanding their professional networks. Such a broad range of topics affords us all the opportunity to reflect on all of our experiences, both technical and non-technical, as we push the field forward into new frontiers. We invite you to join the discussion by submitting a panel proposal with up to five panelists, and we look forward to the lively debate that will ensue.

Propose a Panel