Success Story: Méline Trochon – Shaping the Future of High-Performance Computing

News from Thursday 10 October 2024
Méline Trochon is a true enthusiast of high-performance computing (HPC). Through the EUMaster4HPC programme, she has combined her expertise in mathematics and informatics. Her leadership as a EuroHPC ambassador and internships in exascale computing and plasma physics have provided her with valuable hands-on experience, positioning her as a rising talent poised to make impactful contributions to the field.

Méline Trochon’s academic journey exemplifies her dedication and passion for mathematics and computer science. Graduating with honours from Sorbonne University, she earned a double bachelor’s degree in informatics and mathematics. In her first year of the master’s programme, she distinguished herself by finishing second, showcasing her commitment to excellence.

Enthusiasm for High-Performance Computing

Méline’s enthusiasm for high-performance computing (HPC) shone through in her roles as a EuroHPC ambassador during the EuroHPC Summit 2023 and as a leader ambassador in 2024. In these positions, she significantly contributed to the event’s success by engaging with attendees and supporting their registration.

Bridging Mathematics and Informatics

Her desire to bridge the gap between mathematics and informatics has guided her throughout her studies and professional experiences. During her undergraduate degree, she recognised the need for a programme that unified these disciplines. The discovery of the EUMaster4HPC master’s programme was a perfect match for her ambitions, leading her to immerse herself eagerly in its challenges.

Pivotal Connections

Her involvement in the EuroHPC Summit proved pivotal as she connected with engineers and researchers, gaining invaluable insights into HPC's potential to address global challenges, particularly in the energy and environmental sectors.

Hands-On Experience

Méline has solidified her skills through an impactful internship focused on addressing memory access bottlenecks in exascale computing—one of the field’s most pressing challenges. This hands-on experience allowed her to engage with complex problems and develop innovative solutions in high-performance computing.

She further enhanced her practical knowledge during a pre-thesis internship at CEA Cadarache, a prestigious French centre for nuclear fusion research. Here, Méline contributed to developing state-of-the-art plasma physics simulation code, collaborating closely with leading scientists. This role not only showcased her determination and academic excellence but also provided her with valuable insights into the application of HPC in advancing scientific research.

A Bright HPC Leader

In addition to her academic pursuits, Méline demonstrated strong leadership and communication skills. For three years, she independently coordinated and led summer camps and events, fostering teamwork and cohesion among participants. These experiences honed her ability to manage teams effectively. Within her master’s programme, she actively integrated herself into her cohort and contributed to the programme’s outreach efforts. Notably, she participated in communication activities, including a video for the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, where she shared her experiences as an EUMaster4HPC student.

Commitment to the HPC Community

Méline’s commitment to the HPC community is evident in her dedication to promoting greater representation from underrepresented backgrounds in HPC. She eagerly helps communicate the programme’s potential to bridge the gap between disciplines, enabling students to tackle real-world challenges such as exascale computing.

Looking Ahead

Méline Trochon’s academic and professional journey illustrates her dedication to mathematics, informatics, and high-performance computing. She has established herself as a skilled scholar and leader, poised to make meaningful contributions to the field.

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