I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who helped make SC23 a remarkable success. The collective enthusiasm and collaborative spirit infused every facet of the event and underscored the vitality of our HPC community—a diverse community that includes the record-breaking ~14,000 attendees who wholeheartedly embraced our “I Am HPC” theme. Your engagement and commitment to this theme were starkly evident and contributed to the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere that defined SC23, which we hope sustains throughout the SC Conference Series and beyond. SC23 was invigorated by the many passionate individuals coming together to share knowledge, forge connections, and celebrate our shared commitment to advancing high-performance computing.

I offer my sincere appreciation to each participant, volunteer, contributor, supporter, and sponsor. Your enduring dedication is a driving force behind our community’s continued growth and impact.

Thank you for being an integral part of SC23, and I look forward to the exciting developments that lie ahead for our SC and HPC communities.

Warm regards,

Dorian C. Arnold, SC23 General Chair

Defying the odds

In the heart of one of the toughest neighborhoods in the country, young Hakeem Oluseyi’s world was a confined space, but his imagination soared to the stars. While other kids roamed the streets, he was inside, poring over encyclopedias and glued to PBS nature shows. A love for science and a fascination with the cosmos were kindled within him, sparked by the likes of Albert Einstein, who became his hero.

Oluseyi’s early life was far from easy. Growing up with little supervision at home, attending a school with the lowest ratings in the state, and facing the allure of the wrong crowd were all hurdles he had to navigate. Even when he finally made it to Stanford University, he found himself failing physics exams, a subject about which he was deeply passionate. But Hakeem possessed a resilience that defied the odds.

Today, Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi stands as a world-renowned astrophysicist, a former Space Science Education Lead at NASA, and an inspiration to countless individuals worldwide. His story is one of defying the odds, pursuing impossible dreams, and refusing to heed the discouragement of naysayers.

With humor, candor, and a spirit that ignites hope, Oluseyi captivates audiences with his groundbreaking scientific research. Yet, it’s his personal journey that truly moves hearts. He shows the world that no matter how daunting the circumstances, one can rise above them, grasp the stars, and extend a hand to lift others up along the way.

Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi’s keynote, “Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Street to the Stars,” is a testament to the power of determination, inspiration, and the boundless potential within us all.

More About Dr. Oluseyi

SC23 Keynote

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Colorado Convention Center

Keynote Speaker Spotlight

This year, Oluseyi will join the storied list of visionary thought leaders who have provided the memorable keynote address at the International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis.

Oluseyi’s Keynote is on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 8:30 am MST, and is open to all registered SC23 attendees and exhibitors.

Keynote Oluseyi Hakeem

Overcoming adversity

Growing up in turbulent neighborhoods and switching schools frequently, Oluseyi found solace in science and literature. His fascination with Einstein’s theory of Relativity led him to teach himself the principles of science. This love for science propelled him to earn three degrees, including a doctorate from Stanford University.

A Pioneering Career

Oluseyi’s accolades and accomplishments reflect exceptional contributions to the fields of astrophysics, education, and scientific communication. Serving as an Astrophysicist and Space Science Education Lead at NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, he navigated the realms of both cutting-edge research and educational outreach. He has been a  strategic advisor for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and investments in citizen science. As a professor of Aerospace, Physics, and Space Sciences at the Florida Institute of Technology, he imparted his passion for learning to countless students.

A Trailblazing Communicator

Oluseyi’s impact extends beyond academia. He has co-hosted popular science shows on Science Channel and Discovery International, including Outrageous Acts of Science, How the Universe Works, and Space’s Deepest Secrets. His ability to convey complex scientific concepts in an engaging, accessible manner has earned him numerous awards and accolades. His 2021 memoir, A Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Streets to the Stars, offered even deeper insights into his remarkable life.

advancing astrophysics & Education

Oluseyi’s scientific research is as diverse as it is groundbreaking. Employing innovative techniques and technologies, he has contributed to fields ranging from astrophysics and cosmology to semiconductor manufacturing and ion propulsion. His work involves “hacking stars” to develop new technologies and enhance understanding of the universe. Additionally, his contributions to science education have yielded effective techniques for teaching mathematics and physics to learners of all ages.

Inspiraton & Recognition

Oluseyi’s motivational messages resonate with individuals across cultures and backgrounds. Through his diverse experiences, he has encouraged audiences to embrace their aspirations with unwavering determination. Notably, he has received numerous honors, including recognition from the National Space Club, MIT Faculty Fellowship, and induction into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.

Vision for the Future

Oluseyi’s vision extends beyond his individual accomplishments. As President of the National Society of Black Physicists, he advocates for diversity and equity in STEM fields, amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups and paving the way for a more inclusive scientific community.

In a world where science, education, and inspiration intersect, Oluseyi stands apart. His transformative journey, from humble beginnings to international acclaim, has long captivated audiences as he seeks to ignite a passion for learning and achievement. As the SC23 keynote speaker, he will not only share his story but empower others to pursue their dreams—no matter how unlikely they may seem. Oluseyi’s presence on the global stage—and soon to be at SC23 in Denver—is one of many extraordinary I AM HPC stories. In this case, Oluseyi is a beacon, encouraging individuals to reach for the stars and overcome any obstacles in their path.

Join Us for the SC23 Keynote

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Colorado Convention Center

For even longer, my personal charge has been to do what I can to make opportunities available to all. Serving as SC23 General Chair is not only an honor and a privilege, but an opportunity to serve a community that has become near and dear both professionally and personally. I have a responsibility to pay forward all the professional and personal privileges I have been afforded by the HPC community and by SC. The SC23 tagline, “I am HPC” reflects our vision to celebrate and promote all things HPC, the field, and the people!

Returning to Denver for the fourth time, in many ways, puts us on very familiar grounds. Yet in many ways, we are charting new territory. Technically, we have ever-evolving HPC technologies, new algorithmic capabilities, and computing at unprecedented scales. As a society, we are now in a post-pandemic world with a changing global economy. While some parts of the SC23 experience in Denver will ring familiar, we are excited about the novel aspects that will be realized.

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the world since SC was last in Denver. The completely virtual SC20 boldly and successfully brought us together even from a distance. The hybrid SC21 wonderfully balanced in-person and remote engagements, and SC22 supplemented a full in-person experience with a new Digital Experience. For SC23, we target and anticipate in-person participation that exceeds our pre-pandemic numbers. Yet, SC23’s goal is to use what we’ve learned in the preceding conferences to extend SC’s reach like never before.

In this context, SC23 considers three driving questions: (1) How can we inspire new constituents to attend the conference in person? (2) How can we use the Digital Experience to engage fully those who cannot afford to attend in person? and (3) How can we best support the in-person or remote attendance of all who wish to participate?

Our outreach campaign aims to excite those familiar with SC and to reach new potential attendees not yet “in the know.” More than ever, we are being intentional about the in-person versus remote participation. The in-person experience will focus on interactive, interpersonal elements that are not possible or effective otherwise. Meanwhile, our Virtual Logistics team is striving to develop and execute an effective strategy for using the Digital Experience, not as a stopgap measure, but as a way to make SC23 as inclusive and accessible as possible — a practice we hope the conference series sustains.

Continuing with the inclusivity charge our tagline “I am HPC” exudes, SC23 has several other plans, including the “Exhibition Village” that will afford exhibition opportunities to individual researchers who lack the critical mass for their own research booth, reduced registration costs for qualifying individuals from underserved institutions, and a celebration of “Hidden HPC Figures” as a part of our 35th anniversary celebrations.

Traditionally, Invited Talks were a part of SC’s Technical Program. For SC23, Invited Talks will expand the traditional slate of compelling technical talks with sessions themed around broader topics like Education, Professional Development, and Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity.

We hope that you are as excited about SC23 as we are. We invite you to share with us your thoughts and ideas for making SC23 as awesome as possible. We look forward to hearing from you. And we look forward to seeing you in Denver!

dorian C. Arnold

SC23 General Chair