Snapshot:
Bill Young

Position: Associate director and chief of technical computing, Information Technology Services

Responsibilities: Supporting Scripps Research scientists by managing the high-performance computing clusters on the La Jolla, California campus. Overseeing the computer archive (backup) system of about 1,500 computers for groups signed up for this service.

Started at Scripps Research: September 1999

Background: Undergraduate degree from the University of Buffalo in Chemistry, M.A. from University of Buffalo in Chemistry, Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University in Chemistry, and postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Houston and the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center.  Prior to joining Scripps Research, Young worked at a software development company in Sorrento Valley.

Goals: "Keeping things moving forward." Young notes that 10 years ago the institute had 160 processors for two research groups, which focused on theoretical problems in molecular biology. Now, there are almost 4,000 processors for more than 40 research groups, which study issues in proteomics, genomics, and structural biology, among other fields. Young notes that these developments have not only required new, more powerful technology, but also new ways of using it.

Hobbies: Riding his bicycle (including sometimes for his commute to Scripps Research from Carmel Valley) and taking photographs, especially of natural settings such as in the Sierras.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

Bill Young manages the computer clusters that Scripps Research scientists use for computationally intensive research.