HPCwire names John Towns Person to watch 2014

HPCwire names XSEDE project director a "Person to Watch" for 2014

Read John Towns' full interview on HPCwire
Comprehensive ‘HPCwire People to Watch 2014' list

John Towns, XSEDE Project Director and Director of Collaborate eScience Programs at NCSA, has been named a ‘Person to Watch' for 2014.

HPCwire, the leader in world-class journalism covering high performance computing (HPC) announced its ‘HPCwire People to Watch 2014' list today. The annual list is comprised of an elite group of some of the brightest minds in HPC. The annual selections are made following an extensive review process by the HPCwire editorial and executive staff along with guidance from industry analysts and luminaries across the HPC community.

Towns' selection sheds light on the importance of more future collaboration between XSEDE and Blue Waters, as well as his established history as a leader in the HPC community at large, especially in his role as XSEDE Project Director. In a question-and-answer with HPCwire, Towns also speaks to the challenges of being a single father, his passion for soccer and the fun he has making candles in his spare time.

The annual HPCwire ‘People to Watch' list has become a much anticipated feature highlighting the work and accomplishments of the people involved with the use, production, or proliferation of high performance computing technologies. This year readers will discover that the individuals selected to be profiled are not only forerunners in HPC, but are also skilled pilots, expert chefs, candle makers, single parents of many, avid skiers and racers, and Grateful Dead followers.

About XSEDE

The Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE) is the most advanced, powerful, and robust collection of integrated advanced digital resources and services in the world. It is a single virtual system that scientists can use to interactively share computing resources, data, and expertise. XSEDE accelerates scientific discovery by enhancing the productivity of researchers, engineers, and scholars by deepening and extending the use of XSEDE's ecosystem of advanced digital services and by advancing and sustaining the XSEDE advanced digital infrastructure. XSEDE is a five-year, $121-million project and is supported by the National Science Foundation.

About HPCwire

HPCwire is the leader in world-class journalism for HPC. With a legacy dating back to 1986, HPCwire is recognized worldwide for its breakthrough coverage of the fastest computers in the world and the people who run them. Science, business, and industry professionals worldwide have established HPCwire as the industry's leading news authority for information and intelligence across a broad range of advanced computing technologies. For topics ranging from the latest trends and emerging technologies, to expert commentary, in-depth analysis, and original feature coverage, HPCwire is the HPC communities' longest running and most reliable and trusted resource.