Marion Sudvarg

Please provide your lab and description of research.
I am a member of the Stream Based Supercomputing lab advised by Professor Christopher Gill. My research interests are in developing robust and adaptable real-time computing systems using elastic scheduling to adjust application parameters to guarantee system schedulability in the face of limited resources or dynamic workloads and deadlines. I also work with the APT Collaboration to develop real-time data analysis algorithms and systems for multi-messenger high-energy astrophysics.

Where did you complete your undergraduate degree?
Washington University in St. Louis

What played into your decision to get a graduate engineering degree?
My undergraduate studies were in math and physics, but I landed a job in the information-technology field after graduating. I wanted to learn more about computing, so I pursued a part-time master's degree in computer science at WashU while I worked. Toward the end, I realized that I wanted to dive in more deeply and pursue a career in computer science research so I came back for a PhD.

Why did you pick WashU?
It's a great university, and I got a very good feeling from talking to professors about their research. Plus, my family is in St. Louis, so I preferred to stay here.

What was your favorite course and why?
I've liked the systems and parallel programming courses in general. “High Performance Computing” may have been my favorite course, as we learned several parallel programming pragmas and standards for different hardware platforms and got to use these creatively to solve real scientific computing problems.

What advice would you give to a new student?
Don't stress too much! Find something you enjoy and work hard at it but know that everybody else is struggling at first, too.

What is your favorite thing about St. Louis?
There are so many free museums at Forest Park. Also, Tower Grove Park is beautiful and it's right next to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Definitely go to the garden before Christmas to see the Garden Glow.

What campus activities or groups would you recommend to a new student?
At this point, I don't really participate in anything formal but the Sumers Recreation Center is great. Take advantage of the free student membership.

Are you presently in the workforce or do you have any work history?
Yes, I worked as a network administrator and IT manager at Seiler Instrument for six years before starting my PhD.

Are there any not-for-profit agencies that you have volunteered or worked with?
I’m of member of the board of Friends of Honduras and an occasional volunteer with Peace Economy Project.

What are your plans for the future?
I’m looking for a tenure-track faculty position at a university.