HPC Crea el Legado del Mañana/HPC Creates Tomorrow’s Legacy

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually in the United States September 15–October 15, offers an opportunity to recognize the profound contributions of Hispanic Americans in our HPC community and STEM fields overall. From Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic female astronaut, to Carlos Juan Finlay’s groundbreaking research on yellow fever, their achievements highlight the indispensable impact of Hispanic individuals. As part of this celebration, we honor the Hispanic community in HPC and our global Spanish-speaking representatives, shining a spotlight on their significant contributions to supercomputing.

El Legado de la Ciencia

Igniting the Spark of Scientific Curiosity

In 2021, Livermore Computing (LC) launched an initiative aimed at transforming opportunities: the DevOps Internship Team, known as DO IT, led by Otto Venezuela. This dedicated internship program not only cultivates technical prowess but also fosters diversity and inclusivity in science and technology. 

“My goal was to create an internship where students could dive into a live production environment, applying Agile and DevOps methodologies to real-world applications,” he explained. 

“My goal was to create an internship where students could dive into a live production environment, applying Agile and DevOps methodologies to real-world applications.”

Over the past four years, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has welcomed nine DevOps interns in science and technology and continues to demonstrate commitment to building up the next generation of leadership in a field at the dynamic intersection of high-performance computing (HPC) and DevOps technology.

De Puerto Rico a los Sueños

Pursuing Passion

Otto, a proud native of Puerto Rico, helms the initiative, bringing a deep commitment to bridging gaps and opening doors for future generations. For the past four years, LLNL has welcomed a diverse cohort of interns with a notable 50-60% representation of women and a commitment to underrepresented populations in STEM fields. 

This summer is particularly significant for Otto and the program as LLNL proudly welcomed its first intern from his homeland. The intern hails from the University of Puerto Rico – Rio Piedras Campus, where Otto himself began his journey. 

“My goal is to provide opportunities that were once out of reach for individuals like myself,” he said.

With continued dedication, Otto’s work has paid off, allowing him to expand the reach of the internship program year after year. For 2024, the cohort focused on creating a groundbreaking web application akin to ChatGPT, tailored to assist LC HPC staff in learning Agile methodologies and DevOps techniques that empower them to tackle real-world challenges. 

“My goal is to provide opportunities that were once out of reach for individuals like myself.”

Interns Jose Rodriquez Rios, Kailey Wong, and Arely Rosendes with Otto Venezuela (left to right).

Otto’s personal drive is deeply rooted in his family. He proudly speaks of his two daughters, who serve as constant sources of inspiration and motivation. Alongside his wife, Dr. Karla Reyes Gil, who has a doctorate in material chemistry and works at Sandia National Laboratories (and is his high school sweetheart), Otto believes in the transformative power of education and opportunities, aiming to instill a lifelong passion for discovery in children of all backgrounds. Through his outreach efforts, he creates a supportive community where learners can thrive, explore their interests, and envision themselves as future scientists and innovators. Otto’s commitment extends beyond education, fostering an environment where curiosity is nurtured and diverse perspectives are celebrated, empowering young minds to make meaningful contributions to society. 

Otto’s journey from Puerto Rico to LLNL embodies resilience and determination. Raised by parents who instilled a strong work ethic and a thirst for knowledge, Otto pursued higher education with unwavering support from his family. His path led him through Purdue University, where he and Karla followed their academic ambitions before moving on to the Department of Energy labs.  

“After eight years at Sandia National Laboratories, landing my dream job at LLNL was a significant achievement.”

“After eight years at Sandia National Laboratories, landing my dream job at LLNL was a significant achievement,” Otto reflected. His role as a computer scientist and Cloud Solutions Architect for HPC workflows allows him to merge his technical expertise with his passion for advancing scientific discovery. 

Creciendo Juntos

Building a Community of Innovators

As LLNL continues to innovate in HPC and DevOps, Otto envisions a future where technology can do more to amplify creativity and efficiency. The journey ahead is paved with opportunities to integrate AI and machine learning into their team workflows, enhancing both operational efficiency and scientific exploration. 

“We’re not just enhancing our capabilities. We are redefining what’s possible,” said Otto. “By leveraging technology to its fullest, we’re creating a future where scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations go hand in hand.”

“We’re not just enhancing our capabilities. We are redefining what’s possible. By leveraging technology to its fullest, we’re creating a future where scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations go hand in hand.”

As LLNL prepares for the future, Otto invites aspiring scientists and engineers to join him on the journey. Through initiatives like the DevOps internship program, LLNL is committed to nurturing talent and pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. 

“We welcome individuals eager to learn and innovate. Together, we can build a future where science and technology transform lives,” he concluded.

Join us at SC24 in Atlanta to build your community so we can grow and innovate together. Registration is now open. ¡Vamonos!