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Published on Friday, 31 May 2024 16:10

Each year, our Workforce Development team offers summer internships for students interested in developing their gateway development skills. For the summer of 2024, interns were placed at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC). We will be sharing some of our 2024 student interns' experiences in a series of blog posts entitled SGX3 Summer Internship Reports as they start their summer internships. 

Featured below is SGX3 summer intern Zahra Rahmani, a student at the Case Western Reserve University studying PhD in Computer Science with a focus on applied AI for HPC. 

• What skills or knowledge are you hoping to gain during your internship?
  • During this internship, I am eager to deepen my technical skills in high-performance computing (HPC), software engineering, and the practical application of machine learning models in performance diagnostics. I hope to gain hands-on experience with advanced computing frameworks like the Tapis Framework and enhance my ability to contribute effectively to production-level science gateways. Additionally, I look forward to refining my skills in Docker and containerization, and further developing my proficiency in managing and analyzing performance data with tools like Prometheus. A key aspect of this internship will be to improve my abilities in writing technical reports and potentially contributing to academic publications, which are crucial skills for my future academic and professional endeavors.
• What motivated you into choosing this particular internship opportunity and how do you see that fitting into your future goals?
  • My motivation for choosing this internship stems from its unique alignment with my current research interests and my career aspirations. The focus on Software Engineering, Science Gateways, and High Performance Computing directly complements my research in applying deep learning to diagnose performance issues in HPC applications. Engaging with this program is a strategic step towards achieving my goal of becoming an expert in the field, capable of leading innovative projects in HPC and software engineering. By participating in this internship, I aim to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing me for a future in which I can contribute to groundbreaking advancements in technology.
• What unique perspective or ideas do you hope to bring to the internship program this summer?
  • I am entering the internship with a background in using deep learning for performance diagnostics. My experience and research have given me a deep understanding of the challenges in optimizing high-performance computing applications. I plan to use this knowledge to contribute innovative solutions to the projects at the supercomputing center. I aim to introduce new deep learning methods that can more efficiently predict and address performance issues. My approach is focused on sustainability and efficiency, with the goal of developing solutions that improve performance while also conserving computational resources.
• Please share with us what led you to study your degree and what is exciting to you about your area of focus?
  • I was drawn to my degree in computer science by a fascination with the problem-solving capabilities of technology and its transformative impact on every sector of society. What excites me most about my focus on high-performance computing and deep learning is the potential to tackle some of the most pressing computational challenges. My area of focus allows me to contribute to advancements that can lead to significant societal benefits, such as improving climate models, accelerating biomedical research, and enhancing data security and privacy. This potential for a broad impact motivates my studies and research.
• Austin is known for its exciting culture and activities. What are you most looking forward to doing while in Austin, TX?
  • While I am excited about the professional and academic opportunities that the internship offers, I am also looking forward to exploring Austin’s vibrant culture. I am particularly eager to experience the live music scene, as Austin is known as the "Live Music Capital of the World." Additionally, I plan to indulge in the local food scene, especially the famous barbecue and Tex-Mex cuisine. Exploring the outdoor activities around Lady Bird Lake and the green spaces in the city will be a great way to balance the intense learning and research with relaxation and enjoyment.

Learn more about the SGX3 Summer Internship program. We encourage those interested in participating in future internship cohorts to subscribe to our newsletter for future application announcements.