As a student in the European master's program created by EuroHPC in 2022 and entitled EUmaster4HPC, Anatole Vercelloni continued his training at GENCI.
Hello Anatole. Could you introduce yourself in a few words and tell us what led you to this master's degree and HPC?
Hello, my name is Anatole, and I'm 21 years old. After my "terminale S", I wanted to continue my studies in the sciences, particularly mathematics. So I enrolled in a science degree program at Sorbonne University. It was there that I discovered and developed a taste for computer science. I went on to do a double degree in mathematics and computer science. I've always liked interdisciplinarity and I wanted to keep that in mind for the rest of my studies. That's why when I heard about the EUmaster4HPC master's program, it quickly caught my attention.
This master's program enables me to continue my training in mathematics, but also to learn how to use supercomputers. In other words, to have the knowledge to solve very concrete and varied scientific problems that require mathematical models coupled with the use of large computing powers.
You've just completed an internship at GENCI. What impressed you most? What do you remember and what did you learn?
I'd say that what impressed me most was visiting the machine rooms, which are always very impressive. This internship was a great opportunity for me because I was able to get very close to the HPC ecosystem, including meeting the IDRIS support team, the meetings at GENCI, and above all being able to use the computing machines.
My assignment at GENCI was in anticipation of the arrival of the future supercomputer to be housed at the CEA. I worked on a code benchmark. All this taught me a lot, and enabled me to familiarize myself with tools that are important to me but not always easily accessible. It's also been a great experience to get me closer to the world of work.
What are the next steps for you?
My master's degree includes a mobility phase. So the next big step for me is going to be to study in Germany this year. That's a first for me. But I'm very happy to be able to do part of my studies abroad. And then, the next step will be my final internship. I'm not quite sure what direction I want to take yet, because there are so many possibilities. For the moment, I'd say that what attracts me most is the modeling/numerical methods part. But I'm also very curious about what's being done in quantum and A.I.