HPC in the News
Summer Training Workshop in Bimolecular Simulations for Undergraduate and First-Year Graduate Students
June 21-26, 2015 – Caltech, Pasadena, California
Application Deadline - May 13, 2015.
The 2015 Summer Training Workshop in Bimolecular Simulations is an NSF-funded workshop that provides a hands-on opportunity for undergraduate students and first-year graduate students to learn both basic scientific computing practices and a wide variety of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation techniques. The scientific computing topics covered this year will include command line automation, data analysis with Python, and version control. The MD topics will span the basics of the entire simulation process from system setup to trajectory analysis, as well as more advanced topics including using polarizable force fields, parametrizing small molecules, and running simulations on GPUs. Throughout the workshop students will make use of XSEDE computing resources and learn best practices for operating in supercomputing environments. To encourage undergraduate participation this workshop has no registration fees, free lodging, and attendees’ travel costs will be partially reimbursed. For information, including how to apply, please visit https://sites.google.com/site/biomolsimstw.
NSF CAREER Awards Given To Two CS Education Researchers
The following is a guest blog post by Ran Libeskind-Hadas, R. Michael Shanahan Professor and Computer Science Department Chair at Harvey Mudd College.
This year, the National Science Foundation (NSF) Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate (CISE) CISE made its first CAREER awards for research in computer science education. The awardees are Kristy Boyer, Assistant Professor of Computer Science at North Carolina State University, and Ben Shapiro, Assistant Professor of Engineering Education at Tufts University. To read further, please visit http://www.cccblog.org/2015/03/27/nsf-career-awards-given-to-two-cs-education-researchers/.
Blue Waters Internship Program Needs Mentors
Intern Position Description Deadline - April 1, 2015
Notifications - April 15, 2015
As part of the Blue Waters efforts to motivate and train the next generation of supercomputing researchers, the program is sponsoring 20 undergraduate research interns each year. The goal is to engage undergraduate students in petascale computing research and development projects. Interested faculty can work with a particular student that they identify, or may select a qualified student with Blue Waters support through our program. One of these students can take on your project. Faculty should create descriptions of undergraduate internship positions they have available through the website at the link shown above, indicating either that the position is intended for a particular student applicant, or that it is open to qualified applicants. For more information, please visit https://bluewaters.ncsa.illinois.edu/internships.
To Attract More Women, Cybersecurity Industry Could Drop Macho Jargon
The Christian Science Monitor
Women make up less than 20 percent of the information security workforce, and many women leave the industry before advancing their careers, according to a Ponemon Institute study. "We are not innovating as quickly as we need to be because there aren't enough women in this field," says Intel Security chief privacy officer Michelle Dennedy. Although there are several efforts to support women in cybersecurity and encourage more female computer science students to pursue the field, achieving gender diversity will require the entire industry to talk differently about security. Cybersecurity parlance often mirrors the language of combat, but the field also relies on understanding human emotion, which tends to come more naturally to women. To read further, please visit http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Passcode/2015/0216/To-attract-more-women-cybersecurity-industry-could-drop-macho-jargon.
Call for Papers and Participation
SC15 Call for Posters
Submissions Open - April 1, 2015
Poster Submission Deadline - July 31, 2015
Notification Sent - September 8, 2015
SC15 is soliciting submissions for posters that display cutting-edge research and work in progress in high performance computing, storage, networking and analysis. Posters provide an excellent opportunity for short presentations and informal discussions with conference attendees. Posters will be prominently displayed for the duration of the conference, giving presenters a chance to showcase their latest results and innovations. The presented posters will be digitally archived and made publicly available after the conference. A Best Poster Award will be presented based on quality of research work and quality of poster presentation. For submission details, see the sample submission forms at the login page of the submission website: https://submissions.supercomputing.org.
Upcoming Conferences, Workshops and Webinars
Fourth Annual Optical Interconnects Conference to Explore Next-Gen Supercomputers|
April 20-22, 2015 – San Diego, California
Sponsored by the IEEE Photonics Society
Established more than 25 years ago as the Workshop on Interconnections within High Speed Digital Systems, the conference will bring together the optical industry’s foremost engineers and researchers in advanced connection technologies that cover the spectrum of on-chip interconnects to enterprise-wide communications networks. More than 80 technical presentations, including invited talks as well as refereed papers and poster sessions will cover the latest innovations in a wide range of interconnect challenges, from network systems, subsystems, architectures, applications and devices, with an exploration of future petascale and exascale platforms in supercomputers and datacenters as the industry develops the interconnect technology needed for a more self-aware next generation platform. For registration and other information about OI Conference 2015, visit http://www.oi-ieee.org/.
Linux Cluster Institute (LCI) Workshop
May 18- 22, 2015 - University of Oklahoma, CCE Forum, Norman Oklahoma
If you are a linux system administrator new to HPC, this is the workshop for you! In just five days you will:
* learn HPC system administration concepts and technologies and how to apply them;
* get hands-on skills building a small test cluster in lab sessions;
* hear real-life stories and get to ask experts questions in panel discussions.
For more information, please visit http://www.linuxclustersinstitute.org/workshops/.
2015 UCLA Summer Institute on Mobile Health Technology Research
August 24-28, 2015 – Los Angeles, California
Extended Submission Deadline - April 11, 2015
Notifications - June 10, 2015
The National Institutes of Health-funded five-day training Institute will bring together leaders in mobile technology and behavioral sciences to lead a cross-training event for early career investigators with interest in mHealth. The training curriculum will cover the current state of the science in mobile technology computing and engineering, behavior change and clinical applications, and highlight the intersection among these areas for research related to health. Daily didactic sessions will target the major crosscutting research issues. Afternoons will be devoted to small, interdisciplinary teams developing potential mHealth research projects, guided by multidisciplinary mentorship teams. For more information, please visit http://obssr.od.nih.gov/training_and_education/mhealth/mHealth_2015.aspx.
Research News From Around the World
Los Alamos Computer Simulation Improves Offshore Drill Rig Safety
Los Alamos National Laboratory mechanical and thermal engineering researchers’ efforts to solve the complex problem of how ocean currents affect the infrastructure of floating oilrigs and their computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulations received recognition from ANSYS Inc., a company that provides computer-based engineering simulation capabilities.” Because energy resources are in demand, and most of the Earth is covered by water, we are going into deeper and more challenging waters to meet our energy needs,” said Dusan Spernjak, of the Laboratory’s mechanical and thermal engineering team. “Designing a floating structure for offshore deep water oil drilling is a challenging task because drilling starts deep under the sea surface with no infrastructure in place.” To read further, please visit http://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/los-alamos-computer-simulation-improves-offshore-drill-rig-safety/.
Best Practices in Evaluating Scholarship in Hiring, Tenure, and Promotion
A careful distinction between quality and quantity is key to promoting the future growth of the computing and information field. Toward that end, Batya Friedman, Professor in the Information School at the University of Washington, and Fred B. Schneider, Chair of the Department of Computer Science at Cornell University, put together a Best Practices Memo that advocates adjustments to hiring, promotion, and tenure practices as well as to the publication culture. Contributions in a small number of high quality publications or artifacts are what should be emphasized; success as a researcher is then not primarily a matter of numbers. To continue reading, please visit http://www.cra.org/uploads/documents/resources/bpmemos/BP_Memo.
America Makes Taps Lawrence Livermore, GE to Develop Open Source Algorithms for 3D Printing
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and General Electric have received a $540,000 America Makes award to develop open source algorithms designed to improve the additive manufacturing of metal parts. The project aims to develop and demonstrate algorithms that will enable selective laser melting (SLM) to produce metal parts that are high quality and durable. There currently is no effective approach to SLM that reduces problems associated with the method, such as surface roughness, residual stress, porosity, and micro cracking, and without careful optimization of the process these issues can cause parts to fail. "It's critical to have mechanically robust parts, especially for applications in industries such as aerospace and energy, where part failure could lead to major problems," says LLNL's Ibo Matthews. To read further, please visit https://www.llnl.gov/news/america-makes-taps-lawrence-livermore-ge-develop-open-source-algorithms-3d-printing.
Educator Conferences and Opportunities
School Computer Coding Bill Passes First Vote in Senate
The Utah Senate gave preliminary approval Thursday to a bill that would create a computer science initiative requiring the Utah STEM Action Center and the Utah State Board of Education to implement a range of computer science instructional resources, provide professional development for teachers, and select a software curriculum to use in computer coding classes. The legislation would provide as much as $1.5 million to license several computer coding instructional software providers, and $320,000 for the professional development for teachers. Part of the problem is "sometimes, because the resources are already allocated, the inertia of the status quo is so powerful that we just keep doing what we've always done, because that has first call on the priorities and first call on the dollars," says state Sen. Howard Stephenson. To read further, please visit http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865622340/School-computer-coding-bill-passes-first-vote-in-Senate.html?pg=all.
California Department of Education One-Day Professional Development Workshops
April 3, 2015 – Los Angeles, California
March 31, 2015 - Santa Clara, California
The California Department of Education is sponsoring a One-Day C-STEM Professional Development workshop in Los Angeles and in Santa Clara. The Professional Development is provided by UC Davis C-STEM staff and will focus on Integrating Computing and Robotics into Mathematics, Science & CTE to Close the Achievement Gap & to Prepare Students for Career and College. Information on the Los Angeles training is available by visiting http://c-stem.ucdavis.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/CDESponsoredOneDay_LA.pdf. Information on the Santa Clara training is available by visiting http://c-stem.ucdavis.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/CDESponsoredOneDay_SC.pdf. More information regarding the One-Day Professional Development and how to register can be found on the C-STEM website: http://c-stem.ucdavis.edu/teachers-administrators/professional-development/2014-2015/spring-2015-cde-sponsored-professional-development/.
MIT EmTech Digital
June 1-2, 2015 – San Francisco, California
Digital technologies are connecting everything around us, making everyday things smarter and augmenting our experiences. Information is the new utility. We’ll look at emerging opportunities in the digital economy, and the implications for our personal and professional lives. MIT Technology Review EmTech Digital (formerly Digital Summit) provides the intelligence you’ll need to succeed by exploring tomorrow's digital technologies and explaining their global impact on business and society. You'll gain access to the innovative people and companies at the heart of the next wave of the digital revolution. For more information and to register, please visit http://www.technologyreview.com/emtech/digital/15/.
Birch Aquarium NOAA Teacher Workshop
Saturday, May 9, 2015 – La Jolla, California
8:00am – 4:00pm
Application Deadline – April 17, 2015
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in partnership with Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and UC San Diego present: Educator Workshop: Why Do We Explore? Hosted at the Birch Aquarium This is Part One (second time offered) of a two-part series. Educators of grades 5-12 that complete both parts are eligible for a $100 stipend. Birch Aquarium will host Part Two again in the fall (date TBD). To view flyer please visit http://sdsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/NOAA_WDWE_SanDiego_May9_2015.pdf.
Student Engagement and Opportunities
Why International Engineering and Science Students Stay or Go
IEEE Spectrum
According to national data, just 50 percent of science and engineering doctoral recipients who were born overseas end up staying in the U.S. to pursue their post-graduation careers. A recent survey by the Center for Nanotechnology in Society at the University of California, Santa Barbara of 166 international graduate students found the limitations of U.S. immigration policy and H-1B work visas are among the biggest challenges for foreign students interested in pursuing U.S. careers. The study also examined how several professional, social, and personal factors influenced the decisions of foreign students, focusing on three key decisions: whether to pursue higher education in the home country, whether to stay in the U.S. or return home after graduation, and whether to pursue a career in academia or industry. To read further, please visit http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/at-work/tech-careers/why-international-engineering-and-science-students-stay-or-go/.
Geek Girls San Diego Tech Conference
June 20, 2015 – La Jolla, California
Whether you are a beginner newbie who needs hand-holding on all things computer, to the intermediate self-starter entrepreneur who needs some new tools, to you entirely tuned-in code toads looking to learn jQuery, we have it all for you! The conference is the largest Hands-On Tech Conference for Women (and Men) in the area! All skill levels welcome from beginners looking to get started to professionals looking to brush up on their skills or learn something new. From 8 to 88 years old, and everyone in between, we have something for you. Consider bringing your daughter, mother, spouse, and making it a family affair. For more information, please visit http://sandiego.geekgirltechcon.com/.
Tour the 2015 White House Science Fair Exhibits
President Obama welcomed young scientists and engineers from across the country to showcase their inventions, robots, and discoveries at the 2015 White House Science Fair!
Hosted by President Obama, the Fair features innovative projects, designs, and experiments from students all across America. With students from a broad range of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competitions, this year’s Fair also included a specific focus on girls and women who are excelling in STEM and inspiring the next generation with their work. The White House Science Fair featured extraordinary science projects and experiments from some of America’s most innovative students. Find out more about the students participating in this year’s Science Fair and view a video by visiting https://m.whitehouse.gov/science-fair.
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Deadline Approaching: San Diego Air & Space Museum Scholarship Program
Application Deadline – April 1, 2015
The San Diego Air & Space Museum administers four competitive scholarships for San Diego County graduating seniors who plan to attend a four-year college or university. The Bill Gibbs, R.A. Rearwin, and Jennings Kelly Scarborough scholarships are reserved for students with strong aviation or aerospace related interests, who plan to pursue a degree in mathematics, physics, the sciences or engineering. Each has a different emphasis. The Convair Alumni Association scholarships are reserved for direct descendants (either natural or adopted) of former San Diego area employees of Consolidated Aircraft Corporation, Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation, or the Convair, Astronautics or Space Systems Divisions of General Dynamics Corporation. There are no restrictions as to the applicant’s field of study. For more information, a list of available scholarships and to download applications for each, please visit http://sdsa.org/e-news/san-diego-air-space-museum-scholarships/.
Quantitative Biology Summer Bootcamp, July 6-17, 2015
Application Deadline - April 15, 2015
Two local university science labs — UCSD Department of Physics (Dr. Suckjoon Jun) and SDSU Department of Biology (Dr. Anca Segall) — are hosting a 2-week quantitative biology bootcamp between July 6th and 17th of 2015. The bootcamp is open to undergraduate students, 1st year graduate students, and even motivated high school students in the San Diego area who have an interest in physics and biology. The program is covered by an NSF grant, so the course is free (including lunches and snacks). Last year the bootcamp accepted 10 students, and they aim to take about the same number of students again this year. For more information, please visit http://sdsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/qBio-Bootcamp-2015.pdf.
International Autonomous Robot Competition
June 27-28, 2015 – San Diego, California
The annual International Autonomous Robot Competition (iARoC) is sponsored and organized by the The League of Amazing Programmers campus of Wintriss Technical Schools, non-profit, public benefit, 501c(3) institution, based in San Diego. The primary objective of the competition is to motivate the next generation of technical leaders through fun and exciting activities under mentorship of software professionals. There will be a weeklong camp before the competition so that the teams can get technical assistance from experts, and make friends with other participants. Teams will be participating in trial runs, technical presentation and actual competition over the weekends. Details for those events can be found here. Young programming students around the country are encouraged to form a team. Watch past events and find out how fun the competition is! For complete information, please visit http://iaroc.org/iaroc/.
Computational Science News of Interest
Your Desktop Computer Is Wasting a Surprising Amount of Energy While You're Not Using It
The Washington Post
The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently released a set of draft standards aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of desktop computers and monitors. The CEC estimates computers, monitors, and signage displays account for 5 percent of the electricity used in the state; in some commercial buildings and offices, that rises to more than 10 percent. The CEC estimates its proposed standards could cut electricity bills by $340 million. The new rules particularly target the amount of energy desktop computers consume while they are idle. A CEC study from 2014 estimated the average desktop computer spends 61 percent of the time "on but user-inactive." The commission wants to cut the amount of power desktops consume while idle by half starting in 2018. The proposed standards have been welcomed by organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Consumer Federation of America. To read further, please visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/03/16/your-desktop-computer-is-wasting-a-lot-of-energy-while-youre-not-using-it/.
Data Mining Reveals When a Yellow Taxi Is Cheaper Than Uber
MIT Technology Review
To determine if on-demand cab service Uber is less expensive than conventional taxis, University of Cambridge researcher Cecilia Mascolo compared Uber's prices with those of New York City's Yellow Taxis. The team made a 2014 Freedom of Information Act request for the data associated with New York City Yellow Taxi journeys during 2013, which covered hundreds of millions of trips and comprised 50 GB of data, and included the location of every pick-up and drop-off, as well as the fare paid for each journey. Mascolo's team took the coordinates of each journey made in a Yellow Taxi in 2013 and then asked Uber how much it would charge for the same journey using the least-expensive version of the service. Uber provided an estimated minimum and maximum possible fare, which the researchers used to take an average and compare it against the Yellow Taxi fare. To read further, please visit http://www.technologyreview.com/view/535886/data-mining-reveals-when-a-yellow-taxi-is-cheaper-than-uber/.
Social Media
Social Network Analysis Privacy Tackled
Penn State News
Pennsylvania State University (PSU) researchers are researching ways to maintain privacy on social networks. PSU professor Sofya Raskhodnikova says the goal is to be able to release information without making personal or sensitive data available and still be accurate. With multiple public databases available, data can easily be correlated between databases to assemble pieces of deleted data and recover the identifying information. Differential privacy, which restricts the types of analyses that can be performed to those for which the presence or absence of one person is insignificant, is needed to maximize the accuracy of analysis while preventing identification of individual records. Differential privacy guarantees an analysis performed on two databases that differ in only one record will return nearly the same result. To read further, please visit http://news.psu.edu/story/344805/2015/02/14/research/social-network-analysis-privacy-tackled.
