Category: General

Termín: 19.3.2024 (utorok) od 14:00 – 15:30 hod.

Venue: Výpočtové stredisko SAV, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 35 Karlova Ves

Vstup: Bezplatne

Viac informácií a registrácia

Nevertheless, to this day, their presence in science remains under-dimensioned and often faces obstacles such as prejudice and inequality. Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields face multiple challenges, including gender stereotypes and a lack of mentors and support. They also very often encounter worse conditions for the possibility of career advancement. These obstacles are very complicated and complex, requiring coordinated efforts at national and international levels to overcome them.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is a celebration, but also a call to action. The aim is not only to recognize the contributions of women in science, but also to:

• Raise awareness of the importance of gender equality in science and research.
• Support policies that open up more opportunities for women and girls in scientific disciplines.
• Remove barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential in science.
• To inspire future generations of women to follow their passions in science and technology fields.

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an important reminder that despite the progress we have made, there is still a long way to go to achieve full gender equality in science. The aim of this international day is to point out that we need to create a world in which women and girls will be able to contribute to scientific progress and innovation without limitations (work, social...).

According to UNESCO data, less than 30% of women currently hold research positions worldwide. Therefore, it is essential to support the full and equal access of women and girls to employment in science.

On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we would like to bring to your attention an interesting article by the Slovak scientist Mariana Derzsi on the topic "New oxides of nickel, copper and palladium", which follows the article "Prediction of new inorganic compounds".

Doc. Mgr. Mariana Derzsi, PhD. she received her doctorate in physical chemistry at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the SAS. Right after school, she worked at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow, later at the University of Warsaw, and was also a visiting scientist at Chemie Parich Tech in Paris and at the University of Padua in Italy. After ten years, she returned to Slovakia and has been working for six years at the Research Institute of Advanced Technologies in Trnava at the Faculty of Materials Technology of the Slovak Technical University, where she founded the Computer Modeling of Materials research group.

• When/how did you find out that you wanted to be a scientist and who or what inspired you to study in the STEM field?

From a young age, during my elementary school years, I was drawn to fairy tales and films for teens with a scientific theme, as well as documentaries about nature. In high school, I gradually realized that I wanted to dedicate my life to learning. I spent a school year in the USA, which opened up new horizons for me. I experienced how enriching mastering a foreign language can be, allowing me to delve into another culture, pose new questions, think differently, and truly understand and feel different perspectives on the same matter. Moreover, rote memorization did not engage me; I needed to understand concepts to remember them. Therefore, when choosing a university, it was clear to me that it would involve natural sciences and languages. Thus, I began interdisciplinary studies at Comenius University: physics at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics, and Informatics (FMFI), and English language at the Faculty of Arts. During the first year, my fascination with physics grew, especially because of the atmosphere at the FMFI faculty. I was engrossed in books by Stephen Hawking and gradually began to read all the international popular science literature on physics that I could find. At FMFI, I met many professors who treated us, the university students, as equal partners. The lectures were inspiring (the ones I attended 🙂), and several lecturers were legends in our eyes. It was all wonderful, but it also intensified the sense of responsibility for my studies. I aspired to be like them. By the end of the first year, I had decided to dedicate myself fully to physics, so I requested a transfer to the scientific physics program and bid farewell to the Faculty of Arts. This was the moment I knew I wanted to be a scientist and consciously chose this path. It was not easy. After this decision, I failed exams multiple times, even finding myself as the only girl in a written exam, and the only one to repeatedly fail while all the boys passed. I was also hinted at during several supplementary consultations that, as a woman, I should perhaps think more about starting a family. One examiner even asked me why I had come to his exam, noting that girls usually do not choose him, opting instead for examiners through whom they could 'pass' more easily. I did not take it to heart. Those who raised these points did not discriminate against or underestimate me. They were fully committed to me. I think they were simply surprised, and when I completed all the exams I had set as my goal before requesting the transfer, I was told that the transfer would not be allowed. This shocked me, but I did not give up and found a way. Since then, I have been following it.

• Did your family, friends and teachers support you in your decision to study STEM subjects?

My family, friends and teachers played key roles. For example, my primary school teacher advised my parents to send me to gymnasium. If she hadn't done that, I would have ended up in gardening school. Who knows, maybe that path would lead me to microbiology. My parents were surprised because I was more of an average student or a slacker. But the teacher probably saw that my academic results were more a consequence of my lack of interest than a reflection of my abilities. I am grateful to her for that. That's when I started thinking about myself differently.

My parents never imposed on me what I should study. They let me choose freely. I will never forget how my father told me and set an example for me every day, that I should find in life what will make me happy and fulfilled and do the best I can. It was very nice and I remembered it forever. Close friends and classmates were my support, mirror and challenge. They played an important role in my decision to study physics. I didn't believe in myself and thought that as a girl I didn't belong at FMFI. I have never been to any knowledge competition, I did not excel in natural sciences, and therefore I would not have dared to make this decision myself. They gave me confidence and convinced me that those things don't matter. That I should go after what draws me and not give up when I haven't even tried it. And so I went. I also had classmates who inspired me with their intellect and approach to study. We challenged each other, for example, in speed reading English classic literature for entrance exams.

• What would be your message to girls, who would like to pursue their interest in STEM subjects, but hesitate to enter a field, where women are significantly underrepresented? (or something along this line…)

Go for what draws you and don't give up when you haven't even tried it. And even if you've already tried it, don't give up after the first failures or rejections. If you want it, do it! 

• Can you please briefly describe what you do now?

I am engaged in computer modeling of molecular and crystal structures of inorganic materials. From the moment I learned that all living and non-living nature is made up of atoms, I have been fascinated by the fact that what essentially distinguishes one object or material from another is primarily the way in which the atoms are arranged. Regardless of the chemical composition, in principle we can achieve some property of the material by arranging the atoms in it appropriately. Not under every condition will it be possible to achieve the desired arrangement of atoms for a given chemical composition, but we can always find conditions under which we can force them to do so. And this is basically what I do. I deal with the predictive modeling of new molecular and crystal structures and the study of the relationship between the structure and the properties of materials that result from the given structure. We can approximate it using the example of diamond and graphite. Both materials are made of the same chemical element - carbon. They differ only in how the carbon atoms in graphite and diamond are arranged. One arrangement makes the material translucent (transmits all light), very hard (we can cut glass with it) and electrically non-conductive (insulator) – that's diamond. A different arrangement causes the material to be opaque, black, because it absorbs all light, it is soft (we easily split the individual layers), and its electrical properties depend on the direction in the crystal (it is more conductive in one direction, less conductive in another) - that is graphite. I focus on the prediction of crystal structures of new transition metal halides and oxides. I focus primarily on binary systems, that is, compounds that consist of two chemical elements. Even with such a simple composition, we observe a fascinating variety of possible atomic arrangements (molecular and crystal structures) and the properties that result from them. Understanding the relationship between structure and properties helps us to predict the behavior of the material based on the structure, and conversely from the behavior of the material we can deduce the arrangement of the atoms in it. This applies to all materials, inorganic as well as organic or complex biological systems. This is simply fascinating!

The conference annually welcomes over 500 participants from dozens of countries, of which an average of 44% are new attendees seeking innovation and challenges in the field of cybersecurity. According to the latest Qubit Conference® satisfaction survey, 100% of the participants proudly state that they would recommend the conference to anyone looking for exceptional experiences in cybersecurity.

Uncovering Trends, Solutions, and a Unique Opportunity for Networking

Digital trends, as well as the threats associated with them, are always at the center of attention. The conference regularly hosts representatives from technology companies that are at the forefront of innovations in cybersecurity. Presentations and workshops focus on introducing revolutionary solutions that change the paradigm in the fight against cyber threats.

Participants can expect concrete examples of implementations and guidance on how to integrate these innovations into their security strategies. This is not just theoretical, as an audience member, but also practical, through interactive workshops where each participant can try out the implementation of new technologies and solutions. This provides numerous opportunities to acquire new skills and understand their practical applications

The Qubit Expo showcases companies that bring the latest innovations in software, hardware, data analysis, and other areas that push the boundaries of what is possible in digital security. With rapid technological advances, there comes a unique opportunity for networking. Discussions and workshops provide participants with opportunities to create new professional or business connections.

Qubit Conference® It is undoubtedly an event that pushes the boundaries of knowledge, innovation, and networking in the field of cybersecurity. This is evidenced by the latest Qubit Conference® satisfaction survey, in which a significant majority, up to 97% of participants, express interest in attending future workshops and training sessions prepared by Qubit in the near future. Additionally, as many as 94% of participants confirm that all educational activities of the Qubit Conference® are focused on current trends. Furthermore, for more than 4/5 of the participants (83%), the conference represents an excellent opportunity for creating new professional relationships or acquiring potential customers.

For the first time on the stage, cyber protection for small and medium-sized enterprises

The Qubit Conference® definitely confirms its position as a leading technology event in Central Europe. This autumn, it launched a series of webinars and cybersecurity training sessions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This initiative responds to the growing need to secure digital infrastructure for smaller businesses, which are increasingly exposed to complex cyber threats.

The discussion on the stage was rich in expert perspectives from professionals with extensive experience in cyber protection. The topic of discussion was not only the current threats but also specific strategies and tools that SMEs can implement to enhance their cyber resilience. The concluding panel discussion offered the attending SMEs an invaluable opportunity to interact directly with the experts and obtain specific advice for their individual needs.

The year 2024 will open the debate on the human touch in advanced technologies

The Qubit Conference® proves that it is more than just a one-time event. The organizers have already announced plans to expand and strengthen the community that is emerging within the conference. This will include a regular series of workshops and meetings, which will allow cybersecurity, IT, and innovation experts to maintain contacts and collaborate even after the conference itself has ended.

As Katarína Gamboš, the Senior Event Producer of Qubit Conference®, states, "The year 2024 will not only bring a new beginning but also a revolution in how we perceive and integrate the human touch into advanced technologies. The theme of the upcoming Qubit Conference® Prague 2024, 'Bringing humans back to cyber,' introduces into the discussion the value of the human factor in an era where technological progress moves at an incredible speed. 'Bringing humans back to cyber' is not just a slogan, but also an opportunity for experts from around the world to share their views and ideas on how we should perceive and incorporate the human factor into technological innovations. At Qubit Conference® Prague 2024, our goal is to open a discussion about how we, as individuals, can ensure that technological progress contributes to the benefit of the whole society and maintains ethical standards."

The summer school is sponsored by the RIKEN Center for Computational Science (R-CCS), the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre (Pawsey) and the ACCESS program. Additional sponsors, who will conduct separate, internal selection processes, include EPCC (U.K.) and NICIS CHPC (South Africa). It is important to note that certain places for the 2024 school are still being offered on a preliminary basis and will be confirmed subject to funding availability.

The summer school will familiarize the best students in computational sciences with major state-of-the-art aspects of HPC and Big Data Analytics for a variety of scientific disciplines, catalyze the formation of networks, provide advanced mentoring, facilitate international exchange and open up further career options. Leading computational scientists and HPC technologists from partner regions will offer instruction in parallel sessions on a variety of topics such as:

• HPC and Big Data challenges in major scientific disciplines
• Shared-memory programming
• Distributed-memory programming
• GPU programming
• Performance analysis and optimization on modern CPUs and GPUs
• Software engineering
• Numerical libraries
• Big Data analytics
• Deep learning
• Scientific visualization
• Canadian, European, Japanese, Australian and U.S. HPC-infrastructures

The expense-paid program will benefit scholars from Australia, European, Japanese and U.S. institutions who use advanced computing in their research.

The ideal candidate will have many of the following qualities, however this list is not meant to be a “checklist” for applicants to meet all criteria:

• A familiarity with HPC, not necessarily an HPC expert, but rather a scholar who could benefit from including advanced computing tools and methods into their existing computational work
• A graduate student with a strong research plan or a postdoctoral fellow in the early stages of their research careers
•  Regular practice with, or interest in, parallel programming
• Applicants from any research discipline are welcome, provided their research activities include computational work.

The first two days of the program comprise two tracks that run concurrently. You need to choose your preferred track in your application.

• An introduction to shared-memory parallelism and accelerator programming.
• Advanced distributed-memory programming.

School fees, meals and housing will be covered for all accepted applicants to the summer school. Reasonable flight costs will also be covered for those travelling to/from the school.

More information about summer school

The supercomputer Leonardo has a performance of approximately 250 PFlop/s, with a total allocation available for Slovak projects being 56,000 GPU node-hours and 25,000 CPU node-hours per year. Therefore, in collaboration with the National Supercomputing Center, the Computing Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences is opening the first call for proposals to access Leonardo's computing resources.Given the size of the allocation, support will be provided to a smaller number of projects, primarily those that require simultaneous utilization of a large number of computing nodes.

Access is open to all fields of science and research, and eligible applicants are from Slovak public universities or institutions of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Supported projects should enable progress and innovation in their chosen area, with added value for addressing societal and/or technological challenges in Slovakia.

Applications used in projects should be thoroughly tested, demonstrating high efficiency and scalability on HPC systems or the need for extensive simulations that require a significant amount of CPU/GPU time. These should be highly parallelized applications capable of efficiently utilizing the available resources, the allocation of which would be challenging on the current national HPC infrastructureDevana supercomputer  ). The computational power requirement and resource utilization must be clearly and comprehensively described in the proposal. You can find the specifications of individual Leonardo modules HERE.

The call is open until January 31, 2024. Evaluation and selected projects will be published two weeks after the deadline, and successful applicants will be informed about the next steps via email. Individual projects will be evaluated by the expert staff of VS SAV and NSCC with regard to scientific contribution and the most efficient use of computing capacities. Projects with a maximum duration of 12 months can be submitted through the user portal

Before submitting an application, we ask interested parties to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the conditions of this call..

In case of any questions or uncertainties, please contact us at eurocc@nscc.sk

The agenda included 4 sessions focusing on education and communication, interaction with industry, collaboration, twinning, and mentoring. Participants worked in small groups, discussed specific topics, and exchanged best practices within each topic. Representatives of national competence centres discussed not only collaborations with SMEs and industry, scientific communities, or public administration but also among the competence centres from individual countries.

The communication section focused on promotion and communication channels, especially LinkedIn, and audience building. This section also included a passionate discussion and exchange of opinions and experiences among the NCCs teams.

Members of the working group also had the opportunity to address the issue of education. Participants discussed the most sought-after IT courses they provide and analyzed the shortcomings and problems they face in organizing them. They also delved into a currently very relevant topic: how ChatGPT can be helpful in training.

After successful presentations and discussions, NCC Poland organized a delightful tour of Christmas Krakow for the participants. A big thanks to the organizers for the awesome and productive meetings! Excited for more collaboration ahead!