INDUSTRY

Former NASA researcher Thomas Sterling will be first in this position: The LSU Center for Computation & Technology, or CCT, has appointed Thomas Sterling as its first chief scientist. In this role, Sterling will help lead the center’s research activities to develop new initiatives in education and economic development. Sterling is an internationally recognized supercomputing expert who has been with CCT since 2005. He previously was a scientist with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and Cal Tech. Since receiving his Ph.D. from MIT in 1984, Sterling has worked on numerous international computing projects. He is also the father of Beowulf class clusters, which he developed with his colleague Donald Becker. These clusters today are the most common building block of the world’s supercomputers. Sterling is a professor with CCT and the LSU Department of Computer Science. His role as chief scientist for the CCT will be in addition to his teaching and research roles with both departments. CCT Director Ed Seidel explained that the center has steadily developed since its inception nearly four years ago, leading to an increased focus on the advancement, organization and expansion of research activities at CCT to make it one of the nation’s premier academic institutions, focused on computing and its applications. “Thomas, as chief scientist, will provide additional attention and resources, leading the coordination and integration of CCT’s expanding research endeavors,” Seidel said. “This is a high-level position in which he will work closely with me and other researchers at the center to drive opportunities for CCT to take a leadership role in innovative computing in the state and internationally.” During this semester, Sterling implemented a new course, “High-Performance Computing: Concepts, Methods and Means,” enabled by advanced optical networks, video and other technologies developed through CCT and its partners. Sterling’s course, the only one of its kind in the country, marks the first use of high-definition video broadcast via the optical networks for distributed classroom instruction. The course is not only offered at LSU, but through advances in technology, is being exported to universities internationally. In his expanded role as chief scientist, Sterling hopes to continue emphasizing the synergy between research and computing resources. “Computing is quickly becoming the leading technology of the 21st century, affecting all academic and professional fields in new and exciting ways,” Sterling said. “And, Louisiana is poised to become one of the most well-connected places in the country. In my role as chief scientist, I look forward to working with students and researchers at the university to develop innovative ways to apply this technology to their work.”