RMACC 2018 HPC Symposium

Exascale systems are coming soon. At the same time the demands of science for supercomputing are changing. Rates of data generation and complexity of science require new approaches. I will discuss the current exascale system plans and some of the challenges expected. The primary focus of the talk will be on how we get science applications ready for exascale through both the DOE computing facilities and the Exascale Computing Project. The result of this process is expected to bring in a new way for science to use HPC systems.

This work presents program evaluation findings affiliated with gender-based selection bias in an international high performance computing (HPC) student program. The research demonstrates application reviewers from all countries are unconsciously biased against female applicants resulting in significantly lower applicant scores. Additional data that contradicts reviewer bias and supports gender parity among participants in HPC knowledge level and academic achievement are presented. Suggestions for reducing selection bias in light of our findings are discussed. This talk also includes preliminary findings from the expansion of this study to members of underrepresented minorities in HPC.