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In 1994, University of Virginia computer science professor emeritus William Wulf and his then-graduate student, Sally McKee, identified what would become a defining challenge in the field of computer science for decades to come. They called it the memory wall.

The memory wall results from two issues: outdated computing architecture, with a physical separation between computer processors and memory; and the fact that a processor can run much faster than the speed at which memory chips can provide data.

As early as the 1980s, researchers were predicting that computer systems could not keep up with the future trajectory of data. Then came the internet of things devices connected through the cloud collecting vast amounts of data. The rapid growth of bioinformatics has been another source of the data explosion.

By 2018, Forbes reported that 90% of the worlds data had been generated in just the previous two years. The servers processing these data have not been able to keep up and provide timely results, such as identifying new COVID variants or responding quickly when a patient falls ill.

That was the year when researchers in the University of Virginias Department of Computer Science and Charles L. Brown Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering were selected to establish a $29.7 million research effort to remove the memory wall.

Four years into the five-year grant, the UVA-led, nine-university Center for Research in Intelligent Storage and Processing in Memory, or CRISP, has made strides that match the gargantuan problem the center is trying to solve.

The centers investigators and graduate students have published 378 papers, released 26 new software tools, and submitted 18 patent applications, of which two have been granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

We are four years into developing novel architectures that will benefit society in ways not even imaginable a few years ago, said Kevin Skadron, Harry Douglas Forsyth Professor of Computer Science at the UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science and center leader.

The new architectures the CRISP collaborators are developing integrate processing and memory into a single unit. By tightly coupling the processing into the data storage, the processing rate can be dramatically increased.

The fundamental redesign is overdue and equates to past evolutions in computing, like the introduction of integrated circuits and the paradigm shift from mainframes to personal computers and workstations.

One of the centers early wins came in the fight against cancer.

The key to targeted cancer treatments is analyzing DNA samples to find patterns in genetic data, which then pinpoint specific treatments based on epidemiology. Center researchers set out to see just how much they could speed up that process, which scientists call sequence alignment.

The results were stunning. Their new architectures could shorten sequence alignment time from 20 hours to less than a second. Center researchers also projected they could speed this up 100 times further in future evolutions of their processing redesigns.

This one example highlights the importance of our collaboration with other universities, across multiple disciplines, to remove the memory wall, Skadron said following the centers second-annual review in November 2019. Industry and government are working with us to realize the incredible breakthroughs that can occur with large data sets. All sectors of our economy and society will benefit.

As center researchers headed back to their labs to build on these exciting results, the first cases of a novel coronavirus were appearing in Wuhan, China.

By the spring of 2020, the world was in lockdown from the COVID-19 pandemic. So the centers researchers added another real-world case study midway through the grant cycle. They joined the global scientific community in efforts to tackle SARS-CoV-2.

Effective mitigations would require accelerated pathways to understanding the virus methods of transmission and mutation. Large numbers of biological samples from humans infected by the virus were being collected from wastewater, and these could be used to sequence the virus to get at this information.

But processing just one sample would take weeks with todays computers. Faster results were needed to get ahead of the virus spread and inform tactics for halting it. This is exactly where the center researchers hard work would prove invaluable.

To get at the viral sequences, they could apply the ultra-fast processing methods they created for targeted cancer treatments. They could also draw on their research for new computing methods that eliminated other data bottlenecks in the coronavirus genomics pipeline. The dramatic results sped up the processing timeline so epidemiologists could get actionable insights from samples within a few hours.

Researchers could even backtrack the sequences fast enough to identify transmission networks in micro-detail, thanks to the new processing methods, providing a powerful example of just how critical these next-generation computing architectures are for society.

Ultra-fast computing will become a key player in the defense against new diseases that emerge with no historical context. Being able to sort through new streams of biomedical information, like the CRISP researchers did to get at methods to predict COVID-19s next moves in real time, will be the only way to track disease outbreaks and develop methods of control.

These same methods are the key to better medical treatments for a myriad of existing diseases, too, in addition to cancer. The researchers have continued their work throughout the pandemic conducting acceleration studies of new hardware and software.

The UVA-led center has funded 185 graduate students across the participating universities, 59 of whom have graduated and gone on to jobs in important sectors such as the U.S. semiconductor industry and as faculty in U.S. universities. Skadron said the centers work has also provided opportunities for undergraduate researchers at UVA and supported innovations in curriculum for computer systems design.

The center is part of the Joint University Microelectronics Program funded and managed by North Carolina-based Semiconductor Research Corporation, a consortium that includes engineers and scientists from technology companies, universities and government agencies.

UVAs team includes Skadron; Samira Khan, assistant professor of computer science and an expert in computer architecture and its implications for software systems; and Mircea Stan, Virginia Microelectronics Consortium Professor in electrical and computer engineering and an expert in the design of high-performance, low-power chips and circuits.

Center collaborators are Cornell University; Georgia Tech; Pennsylvania State University; the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of California, San Diego; the University of Washington; the University of Wisconsin; and the University of Pennsylvania.

In the final year of the grant, the centers investigative teams will continue testing their new architectures in three primary areas of application: targeted cancer treatments, analytics for large datasets and video analysis.

By the end of 2022, they plan to demonstrate methods to identify a targeted cancer therapy in 24 hours, execute big data processing that is 100 times faster than state-of-the art, and power artificial intelligence that can scan videos in real time to accurately label objects and identify specific movements.

This giant leap in computing architectures will benefit other human endeavors even beyond medicine, such as smart cities and autonomous transportation, Skadron said. We are honored for the opportunity to contribute to society in such a profound way.

Read this article:

Say Goodbye to the Memory Wall | UVA Today - University of Virginia

VICKSBURG, MISS. Three researchers from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) were chosen to receive 2022 Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA).

Christo (Chris) Lunderman,Herman Moore and Dr. Brianna Thompson have been awarded top honors withtheBEYA,which recognizeAfrican-American scientists and engineers around the country. The winnerschosenareleadersshaping the future of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as promoting diversity and inclusion in the STEM pipeline.

Lunderman,a research physicistin the Information Technology Lab (ITL),received the Outstanding Achievement and Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award,whichfocuseson individuals who have created new paths for others in science, research, technology and development.

I was surprised and honored to receive this award, Lunderman said.It felt good just to find out that I was nominated because it means that my peers and leadership feel that I have made a difference for others throughout my career here at ERDC.

In his day-to-day role,Lunderman leads a diverse, multi-disciplinary team of engineers, scientists and technicians in the design and installation of sensor systems and communications to better quantify the condition of aging infrastructure.

My favorite part about working at ERDC is working with and mentoring younger engineers and scientists, Lundermansaid. I have a chance to share the experiences and insight that I have gained frommore than 25years at ERDC, but I also actively listen to their input and ideas. I find the most innovative solutions come from having a combination of fresh ideas and historical tacit knowledge."

Lunderman alsoserves as a mentor to several ERDC employees, supports Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts andsits onan advisory boardforemployee morale efforts.

As researchers, we are also in the relationship business, Lunderman explained. I tell our young engineers to treat everyone thattheymeet with the same level of respect, from the custodial crew to the senior leaders, and to develop good working relationships with everyone,because we all have to work together to accomplish the mission.

Moore, a computer scientist in ITL, saidhe feelshonoredand privilegedto receivehis BEYA recognitionthe Professional Achievement Award. He is the leader and main technical developer of the Army Facilities Components System project. On that project, heplays an instrumental role by providing direction and input to teams, sponsors and customers to resolve technical solutions and enhanced application features.

Moore began his career at ERDC in 1996 and earned his masters degree in computer science in 2004.

Numbers have always fascinated me,saidMoore,whose love for mathematics and computer science began at a very young age. The advancements and achievements within thecomputerscience environment have allowed mathematics to be far more advanced,but simplified using software and programmatic language.

With Moorestechnical capabilities and leadershipexperienceat ERDC, heisalways lookingfor opportunities to serve as a mentor to junior scientists and to develop himself to advance the mission.

Hisadvice to engineers just beginningacareer is to identifystrengths and weaknesses.

In areas where more strength is required, seek knowledge and wisdom from your peers as well as doctrine, where needed,Moore said.Working at ERDC has offered me various exciting challenges within my career;and collaboratingwith brilliant minds and solving various challenges has enlightened me as a person.

Thompsonbegan her career at ERDC in ITL three years ago as a mathematician and was chosen for the BEYA Modern-Day Technology Leader Award.Her research in hypersonic systems evaluation and design and the coupling of fluid, thermal and structure models for computational simulation of hypersonic systems is making a difference and advancing the capabilities of the Army and the DOD in developing state-of-the-art solutions to challenging problems.

Like Moore, Thompson says that her love for mathematics began as a child, and she credits her parents for encouraging her to never stop learning.

I have always liked figuring things out and Ive always loved numbers,saidThompson, who earned her doctorate degree in computational science from the University of Southern Mississippi.

I am always looking to improve, Thompson said when she learnedthat she won the Modern-Day Technology LeaderAward.I was proud, but I know there is so much more to learn.

Thompsons advice to other African-Americans who may be interested in a career in STEMis simplejust go for it.

You dont usually see people that look like you doing things like this, but once you get there it just opens up a whole new world. So, just go for it, Thompson said.I was fortunate enough to have a love for learning at a young age. If thats inside of you and you have an interest in STEM go for it! The sky is the limit.

I am extremely proud of Christo, Herman and Brianna!Their work and dedication to their communities, ERDC and the nation speaks volumes to their caliber, work ethic, and character,said Dr. David Pittman, director of ERDC.

Lunderman, Moore and Thompson will be recognized at this year's BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference, which will be held in Washington, D.C., February 17-19.

Read more here:

Three ERDC researchers earn Black Engineer of the Year Awards - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD candidate in the area of diversity in computer science at the Department of Computer Science.

For a position as a PhD Candidate, the goal is a completed doctoral education up to an obtained doctoral degree.

While software is omnipresent and influences individuals, companies and governments, it does not provide evenhanded participation conditions for everyone. Software tools, processes, products, and education are not inclusive. Since information technology has a direct impact on peoples lives, work, and leisure, a lack of diversity among developers might unintentionally constrain people rather than support them in achieving their desired goals. We need a diverse and inclusive software development workforce, and to achieve this goal, we need tools, processes, and education that enable everybody to have access to successful careers.

The goal of this project is to go beyond raising awareness of lack of diversity and to design interventions aiming at addressing some of the challenges related to lack of equity, diversity and inclusion in computer science.

The position is connected to the work initiated by theIDUNandEUGAINprojects. Following the success of the two initiatives, the department of Computer Science aims at continuing improving diversity and balance in the field.

The main supervisor will be Letizia Jaccheri.

The position is open for everybody but we look especially for women and individuals whose gender identity is not based on a traditional gender binary.

The research project will focus on advancing the state of research and tools supporting increase of diversity in computer science.

The Computer science department at NTNU works on these computer science areas: artificial intelligence (AI), big data, computer architecture, computer graphics, computer security, databases, human computer interaction (HCI), information systems, operating systems, software engineering, and search.

You will report to the Head of Department.

Duties of the position

Required selection criteria

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerningState Employees and Civil ServantsandRegulations concerning the degrees ofPhilosophiaeDoctor (PhD)andPhilosodophiaeDoctor (PhD) in artistic researchnational guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant

Preferred selection criteria

Personal characteristics

We offer

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 491 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 4 years with teaching duties.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above.

The application must include:

If all,or parts,of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other higher education. Description of the documentation required can befoundhere. If you already have a statement fromNOKUT,pleaseattachthisas well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education,experienceand personal and interpersonalqualities.Motivation,ambitions,and potential will also countin the assessment ofthe candidates.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according toThe San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background.

The city of Trondheimis a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employeeatNTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

According to Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Letizia Jaccheri, telephone +47- 73593469, emailletizia.jaccheri@ntnu.no

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma fromChina Credentials Verification (CHSI).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number 2022/6160 when applying.

Application deadline: 01.04.22

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Computer Science

We are the leading academic IT environment in Norway, and offer a wide range of theoretical and applied IT programmes of study at all levels. Our subject areas include hardware, algorithms, visual computing, AI, databases, software engineering, information systems, learning technology, HCI, CSCW, IT operations and applied data processing. The Department has groups in both Trondheim and Gjvik. TheDepartment of Computer Scienceis one of seven departments in theFaculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering.

Deadline1st April 2022EmployerNTNU - Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyMunicipalityTrondheimScopeFulltimeDurationTemporaryPlace of serviceCampus Glshaugen

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PhD Candidate in the Area of Diversity in Computer Science job with NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - NTNU | 280429 - Times Higher...

Campus & Community

Nic Stone

The WellsLink Leadership Program, a nationally recognized academic and leadership excellence program for first-year students of color, invites the campus community to the 18thAnnual WellsLink Transitions Ceremony on Friday, Feb. 11. The ceremony is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel and will feature a keynote address from Nic Stone, author of New York Times bestselling books Dear Martin and Dear Justyce.

The WellsLink Transitions Ceremony celebrates students who have successfully transitioned to their second year at Syracuse University after participating in the WellsLink Leadership Program during their first year. In addition to the keynote from Stone, the ceremony includes remarks, musical performances and the presentation of stoles to the WellsLink Scholars.

Throughout their experience in the WellsLink Leadership Program, our WellsLink Scholars embody what it means to be Orangemaking the most of the opportunities on campus that support them in pursuing academic excellence, personal and professional development and campus and community leadership. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and recognizing the impact they have and will continue to make on campus and beyond, says Huey Hsiao, associate director in Multicultural Affairs and the Kessler Scholars Program.

Following the ceremony, a reception will take place in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel. A book signing will also take place with Stone.

The WellsLink Leadership Program Class of 2024

About The WellsLink Leadership Program

The WellsLink Leadership Program is a nationally recognized academic and leadership excellence program for first-year students of color. Through structured academic, social and cultural enrichment activities, WellsLink Scholars develop the leadership capital necessary for exceptional success at Syracuse University and beyond. The program name was chosen to honor Barry L. Wells, inaugural coordinator of Syracuse Universitys first Office of Minority Affairs in 1976 and retired senior vice president and dean of student affairs.

The WellsLink Leadership Program is sponsored by Multicultural Affairs in the Division of the Student Experience, and was designed by Director James K. Duah-Agyeman and former Associate Director Paul M. Buckley. Since the programs inception in 2003, WellsLink Scholars have demonstrated outstanding leadership at the University with representation at the executive levels of many student organizations, task forces, committees and networks of service. They are high academic performers and balanced community citizens.

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WellsLink Hosts 18th Annual Transitions Ceremony; Welcomes Nic Stone as Keynote - Syracuse University News