GridCafé - Grid projects in the world - People behind the projects

Grid projects in the world

People behind the projects

International collaborations
National grid initiatives
Field-specific applications
Volunteer computing
Middleware projects
Grid communication
Grid business

People behind the projects

Hardwick, Kristen

Name: Kristen Hardwick

Age: 18

Project: Virtual Environments

Position: Research Assistant

Institution: Clemson University

Nationality: American

First computer: One of the "Tandy 1000" computers

Favourite IT technology: Mashups

1. What's your role within grid computing?
	I am a Computer Science research assistant working with exploring the potential of virtual environments for use in e-science and education.

2. Why did you get in to grid?
	I worked with Second Life and Protein Data Bank files to create an in-game object that create large-scale models of molecules for the user to explore during a summer semester at Clemson University. I had a lot of fun using HTTP requests to get the information for the specific molecule that the user requested from an online database, so I took a class on Cyberinfrastructure. After I learned that the game itself was an example of grid computing, I became very interested in learning more about other uses.

3. What did you study at university?
	I studied physics at the University Of Genoa, Italy, getting a Laurea in Physics, a degree equivalent to a master of science. It is through my connection with physics that I started working at Fermilab. I’ve then done a Ph.D. in computer science at DePaul University, Chicago, on large distributed systems.

4. What did you want to be at school?
	Computer Science.

5. What are the highlights of your job?
	I am about to start my first semester of graduate school, and once I finish I hope to be involved with web development or continue working with Internet-based games.

6. What are the lowlights of your job?
	Some of the problems that I encounter by working with the game happen because of limits set within the game to avoid abuse from the players. Since these problems can't be resolved, it can be very frustrating.

7. What do you do when you’re not at work?
	When I actually have free time, and that is very rare because of classes, I enjoy reading novels, watching anime, and experimenting with new recipes.

8. What are your goals for the next year?
	I hope to excel in my graduate-level classes, decide which area of computer science will interest me most in the long run, and explore one of the mountain trails near Clemson.

9. Would you encourage your children to get in to grid and IT?
	I would definitely encourage them to get involved. Grid computing is still very new, and I hope that future generations continue to be interested in participating in its development.

10. What do you want to be when you grow up?
	I want to be satisfied with what I have accomplished in life.


	BACK

Home | About I Search I Site Map I Contacts I Credits