Student Fellow Testimonials

Feedback from CI Compass Fellowship Program alumni

Anshuraj Sedai, CICF 2025, Student at Caldwell University

"My experience with the program was incredibly rewarding. You will explore tons of resources during and after the program and get exposed to a network of experts working in different NSF-midscale and major facilities across the country."

Naomi Kolodisner, CICF 2025, Student at the University of Arizona

"The CI Compass program not only introduced me to advanced computing tools, but it also showed me how essential cyberinfrastructure is for solving the big questions in research. I learned about major facilities, most of which with high-performance computing centers and data-intensive research networks, and it completely changed my perspective on what’s possible as an undergraduate researcher.

Through the program, I gained skills I can apply immediately in my academic projects and future career. It inspired me to take on new research opportunities at my university and to think bigger about the role technology plays in science. I’m leaving with a clearer vision for my learning and career path. I plan to integrate research, innovation, and the incredible resources available through national cyberinfrastructure into my future."

Raja Allmdar Tariq Ali, CICF 2023, Student at Indiana University-Purdue University - Indianapolis

"One surprising thing I learned was the vast array of applications for cyberinfrastructure across diverse disciplines. For those seeking to learn and apply a wide range of skills, research in cyberinfrastructure is an ideal choice, given its extensive possibilities! This realization underscored the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and the limitless opportunities for innovation that arise from blending domain-specific knowledge with advanced computing resources.

The program's material reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in cyberinfrastructure. The all-encompassing education in Python, software engineering, cloud computing, data workflows, machine learning, and artificial intelligence furnished me with invaluable skills that I'm eager to utilize in my future endeavors. Exposure to cutting-edge research and real-world projects has fueled my passion for diving deeper into this field and making meaningful contributions to its growth."

Mark Onders, CICF 2023, Student at the University of Notre Dame

"I think the biggest impact of the CICompass program was getting familiarized with the National Science Foundation's Major Facilities. Although I had never even looked into exploring a career in them, I loved their application and integration of both science and software. I have developed an interest and will definitely take an initiative in the future to apply to certain Major Facilities!"

Mahee Shah, CICF 2023, Student at the University of Iowa

"During my time in the CI Compass Fellowship Program, I had the opportunity to work on a project focused on CHESS, the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source. One of the most surprising things I learned during this experience was the meticulous process of data collection. I realized that gathering and organizing data is a critical step in scientific research, and it requires careful attention to detail. This aspect of the project really emphasized the importance of cyberinfrastructure in connecting various components such as laboratories, data, computers, and people.

Overall, the CI Compass program has been an eye-opening experience that has broadened my understanding of data systems, their interdependencies, and their impact on scientific research. It has piqued my interest in further exploring cyberinfrastructure and has shaped my thoughts positively towards continuing to learn and potentially work in this dynamic and critical field."

Anonymous Student Feedback

CICF 2026 cohort

• "The syllabus is very thoughtfully designed, and I am happy with the pace and depth discussed in each technical session. I am also grateful for the opportunity to have guest lecturers present their NSF facility and journey. This especially helps students like me to not only know what technical skills are there, but also the direct application of how the world is moving forward."

• "Before participating in the program, I hadn't given much thought to the underlying infrastructure that powers scientific computing. However, completing this program has significantly changed my perspective. Not only has it broadened my understanding of cyberinfrastructure and Major Facilities, but it has also equipped me with the practical skills needed to start actively working in this space."

• "My understanding and interest in scientific computing, cyberinfrastructure and Major Facilities has drastically changed since the program. I entered the program with very little understanding of cyberinfrastructure, but now I understand the intricacies better. At the beginning of the program, I was also curious to learn how I could connect my interest in biology with cyberinfrastructure. I have a much better understanding of that after attending the technical sessions and the sessions with professionals from Major Facilities. My interest in scientific computing has grown drastically. I was a little hesitant to pursue grad school in scientific computing, but the program made learning about scientific computing fun, so I look forward to pursuing my grad school research using scientific computing."

CICF 2025 cohort

• "So I had never really considered a career in scientific computing before this program. But learning about the major facilities, and especially hearing from the guest speakers who do software engineering at those facilities, it made me realize that there's this whole other world that I could be that I could pursue if I wanted to."

• "My understanding and interest in scientific computing, cyberinfrastructure, and Major Facilities have definitely grown since completing the program. Before, I had a general curiosity about tech and data, but I didn’t fully grasp how all the different parts of cyberinfrastructure come together to support cutting-edge science. It also made me realize how many different paths there are in this discord. I’d say it also confirmed for me that I want to keep working with high-performance computing and big data, especially in ways that can have a real-world impact."

CICF 2024 cohort

• "I had no idea what scientific computing/cyberinfrastructure/Major Facilities were about and now I have had a lot more exposure to them and how they run. Everything seems a lot more tangible/plausible to me now and makes me much more excited and motivated to pursue a career in scientific computing/cyberinfrastructure. It was absolutely thrilling getting to learn more about these facilities I didn't even know existed, and amazing to connect with people from each facility and see my peers present information on them."

• "I love listening to the guest speakers and learning about parts of Computer Science that I had never heard of before. It is fascinating to learn about these unique skill sets that are vital to the world but generally unknown. I would love to continue learning about Major Facilities and how they impact the world. Thank you for this amazing program!"

CICF 2023 cohort

• Since completing the program, my interest in pursuing undergraduate research or a graduate degree has grown substantially. The program exposed me to the exciting and dynamic world of scientific computing and cutting-edge research, which has left a lasting impact on my academic and professional aspirations. Before participating in the program, I had an interest in research but was uncertain about the specific area I wanted to focus on. The program provided me with an opportunity to explore the interdisciplinary nature of scientific computing, and I discovered the vast potential of high-performance computing (HPC) and cyberinfrastructure in various research domains. This experience has solidified my interest in pursuing research in the field, as I am now eager to contribute to the development of innovative solutions for complex scientific problems. In addition to undergraduate research, the program has also motivated me to consider pursuing a graduate degree. I have gained a deeper understanding of the importance of advanced education in fostering a successful research career. Through the program, I realized that obtaining a graduate degree would not only provide me with the necessary expertise in the field but also open doors to exciting research opportunities and collaborations. Furthermore, the program exposed me to the vibrant research community, where I had the chance to interact with researchers, faculty members, and fellow students who share my passion for scientific computing. These connections have further fueled my desire to pursue a graduate degree and become an active member of the research community.
  
  
• "Since completing the program, my understanding and interest in scientific computing, cyberinfrastructure, and Major Facilities have significantly changed. Before participating in the program, I had a limited understanding of the intricate role these components play in advancing scientific research and collaboration. The program provided me with an in-depth exposure to the technologies and methodologies employed in the field, which has broadened my perspective and sparked my curiosity.
  
  During the program, I gained a deeper appreciation for the immense computational power and infrastructure required to solve complex scientific problems. I also learned how Major Facilities, such as TACC and NCAR, contribute to groundbreaking research in various domains, including molecular dynamics, fluid dynamics, astrophysics simulations, and Earth system science."
  
  
• "I knew nearly nothing about major facilities coming into this program. I left knowing so much and wanting to continue researching. I also didn’t think I was interested in scientific computing until this program."
  
  

• "I was able to learn more about specific examples of scientific computing, cyberinfrastructure, and Major Facilities throughout the program, which I found extremely interesting. It was helpful to see examples of how different programs and methods are implemented in the real world."