ACADEMIA

LSU’s Center for Computation & Technology, or CCT, was recently selected as a 2012 CUDA Research Center by NVIDIA, the world leader in visual and high performance supercomputing.

CUDA is NVIDIA’s parallel computing platform that enables dramatic increases in computing performance by harnessing the power of the GPU. CUDA is currently being taught in more than 580 universities and institutions around the world, and CUDA Research Centers, which are at the forefront of some of the world’s most innovative and important scientific research, are recognized institutions that embrace and utilize GPU supercomputing across a range of research fields.  The CUDA Research Center Program gives CCT access to benefits such as the latest NVIDIA products and the opportunity to interact with computing industry experts from around the world.

CCT received the designation because of its research using CUDA to streamline heterogeneous system programming, which utilizes both GPU and CPU processors within a computing system.  CCT’s contribution consists of four ongoing campus projects developed by nine researchers at LSU. Honggao Liu, deputy director of CCT and principal investigator of the university’s CUDA research, coordinated these efforts and submitted a proposal to NVIDIA.

“We at CCT believe the expansion of GPU programming is a trend that industry developers and academic researchers should be getting in on, and we want LSU to be known as a leader in this trend,” Liu said. “Having NVIDIA’s support means LSU can use these technologies for cutting-edge research, education and economic development in the state.”

Liu said CCT’s advancements in CUDA and GPU supercomputing applications are in line with Louisiana’s Digital Media and Software Initiative and have played an important role in attracting major companies such as Pixomondo and Electronic Arts, which chose LSU as the site of its first North American Test Center in 2008. A CUDA Research Center on campus helps establish these industry partnerships with digital media and software companies to work on CUDA-based projects and prepare students for careers in these fields, Liu added.

“LSU has been selected as a CUDA Research Center based on the vision, quality and impact of CCT’s research,” said David Luebke, director of research at NVIDIA.  “The outstanding research taking place at LSU under Liu’s direction underscores the growing use of GPU computing to drive next-generation research across a broad range of commercial and scientific disciplines.”

The CUDA Research Center Program fosters collaboration at institutions that are expanding the frontier of parallel supercomputing.  Among the benefits are exclusive events with key researchers and academics, a designated NVIDIA technical liaison and access to specialized online and in-person training sessions.  LSU’s CUDA Research Center status will last through April 2013, at which time the CCT can apply for renewal by submitting an updated proposal detailing its research progress.  More information about the CUDA Research Center Program is available at www.research.nvidia.com/content/cuda-research-center-crc-program.