Evolving Possibilities: TACC Celebrates Third Cohort of U.S. NSF LCCF Interns

Meet the third cohort of the U.S. National Science Foundation Leadership-Class Computing Facility (NSF LCCF) Internship. Over a 20-week period, seven interns trained on cutting-edge computing resources, developed workplace readiness skills, and built strong professional connections. Read about their experiences, lessons learned, and why they encourage others to apply to the internship.

Dae’Onna 'DJ' Butler

Mentorship Group: Health Analytics

Mentor(s): Kelly Gaither

Why did you apply for the NSF LCCF Internship?

I first learned of the NSF LCCF Internship at the Advanced Computing Student Collaborative in 2024. The opportunity caught my attention because of the high-impact computing work available to interns. When the application period opened, one of my mentors and professors encouraged me to apply, reminding me how unique and worthwhile of an experience it could be.

What project(s) did you work on during your time as an LCCF Intern?

I had the singular, but no less challenging, task of creating a fetal monitoring mobile application. The app is designed to give expectant mothers agency in tracking and logging fetal movement to give patients and doctors a potential indicator of the baby’s health. I found it fascinating to work at the intersection of tech and health equity, performing front-end design of the app and making sure the logged data was easy for patients to input and digestible for clinical review.

What did you enjoy most about being an LCCF Intern?

The program is a rare chance to get out of the classroom and into a professional research setting to work on real projects with actual outcomes. The internship makes you feel like part of the team from day one, as students are given space and support to learn and grow. I was grateful to have hands-on learning opportunities and use complex concepts to solve problems, all while working together with a team of other students and getting 1:1 mentorship and professional guidance.

How will the LCCF Internship help you move forward in your career?

This program is a great way to build your professional experience and portfolio in a meaningful way. I have a technically intensive project that I can now use as the centerpiece of my portfolio and highlight in interviews. I also have a better idea of what path I want to take after graduation, and I have the tools to get there. If I pursue graduate school, my previous computing work combined with the skills I’ve learned through this internship gives me a great knowledge base. If I enter the workforce, the experience I received in software development, data collection, data science and developing soft skills will directly translate. Thanks to this internship, I feel ready to apply for graduate school or my first industry job.

How did your background prepare you for this opportunity?

I have been involved in previous research projects which studied infant and maternal mortality and how to solve the problems inherent in maternal healthcare. I entered this internship with a deep, preexisting understanding of the challenges and a personal drive to do something about it. When I got an opportunity to work on the fetal monitoring app, it felt like the right pivot on a long-term interest.

Why should others apply to the program?

Anyone who wants to engage in problem-solving beyond passive observation should apply because you will play a direct role in creating solutions. This internship provides access to real-life opportunities and unmatched computing resources. The work challenges both your technical abilities and interpersonal skills through team building and workplace readiness exercises. If you want to grow, work on projects with real impact on society, and meet an amazing network of supportive mentors—both student and professional—I encourage you to apply.

Emily M. Javan

Mentorship Group: Life Sciences

Mentor(s): Joe Allen

Why did you apply for the NSF LCCF Internship?

I spent 15 years in academia, so the thought of transitioning to industry after earning my doctorate was daunting. I applied for the internship because I wanted an experience that would prepare me for the transition and help me gain practical software skills. I worked closely with TACC during the COVID-19 pandemic, so I knew the researchers were fun to work with.

What project(s) did you work on during your time as an LCCF Intern?

My project was the Pandemic Exercise Simulator, a math model of disease spread between counties. My work tailored models to predict different interventions like masking, school closures, and vaccinations, so we can understand how many infections, hospitalizations, and deaths are prevented. I wrote the Python code—hitting “start” on the visualization dashboard allows public health professionals to test out intervention scenarios in real-time.

What did you enjoy most about being an LCCF Intern?

I enjoyed the professional development sessions, learning how to study for technical and behavioral interviews, and how to tailor your resume for different job descriptions. We held mock behavioral interviews which helped me feel more comfortable with the process.

How will the LCCF Internship help you move forward in your career?

I would like to transition into the Public Health sector, so it’s been great going to conferences to network and present my work. Should I want to transition to a different industry, learning Python will open a lot of doors. I feel confident in finding and applying to jobs that align with my skills and values.

How did your background prepare you for this opportunity?

I have a bachelors degree in Applied Math and worked on disease modeling for my PhD, so I was familiar with the math/stats/literature behind the dashboard. I’ve used TACC resources since I was an undergrad to do parallel computing, so I was prepared to scale up simulations. Working on a project in my field was a great way to learn a new programming language while giving me practice translating epidemiological concepts.

Why should others apply to the program?

TACC is a special place with talented, collaborative people. If you want exposure to the world of high performance computing, computer science, and research, this is a one of a kind opportunity.

Jaziel De La Rosa

Mentorship Group: Large Scale Systems

Mentor(s): John DeSantis

Why did you apply for the NSF LCCF Internship?

As someone from a predominantly Hispanic area of the United States that has some of the lowest-income neighborhoods, I wanted access to knowledge that wasn’t readily available in my community. I wanted to further my career and give myself a chance to learn amazing things. I am thankful for the opportunity to be an NSF LCCF intern while still being an undergraduate. The internship not only gave me the knowledge I was looking for but also helped me pay for school.

What project(s) did you work on during your time as an LCCF Intern?

My main project was focused on systems administration. I created a search tool to help diagnose problems that happen to the computer nodes in the LSS family like a burnt wire or defective computer part.

What did you enjoy most about being an LCCF Intern?

I loved learning new things and collaborating with TACC experts who were willing to share information. The spirit of collaboration made the internship intriguing and delightful.

How will the LCCF Internship help you move forward in your career?

Electrical engineers sometimes get lost in the hardware. This internship gave me a better understanding about the software side of things, which will make me a more well-rounded engineer.

How did your background prepare you for this opportunity?

Where I’m from, giving up isn’t an option. This upbringing prepared me for the time you have to dedicate to crafting your code in rigorous and methodical ways. It can feel overwhelming, but you will learn and grow if you persevere.

Why should others apply to the program?

The things you learn at TACC and from your mentorship group are indescribable. So many people are willing to teach you about technical things and growing professionally.

Sarosha Prasla

Mentorship Group: Project Management

Mentor(s): Vennela Gajjala

Why did you apply for the NSF LCCF Internship?

I was drawn to the combination of project management and technical innovation in a research environment. The project management intern role offered hands-on experience on projects that create tangible impact while learning product management, stakeholder research, and UI/UX skills. The program’s emphasis on mentorship and being receptive to those open to learning new skills confirmed that this was a place where I could grow technically and professionally.

What project(s) did you work on during your time as an LCCF Intern?

During my internship, my primary focus was epiEngage, where I served in dual roles as a Front-End Engineer and Product Developer. In this role, I successfully migrated TACC’s Interactive Outbreak Simulation Tool from React.js to Python Dash while preserving the full microservices architecture. On the CIC/SCINCO project, I streamlined inter-team coordination and incident response processes following major system security events. I developed an IT inventory template with linked systems, simplified communication workflows, and designed enhanced incident response templates that significantly improved security procedures. For Jetstream2, I focused on content development, creating detailed tutorial documentation, and completing Python Essentials modules.

What did you enjoy most about being an LCCF Intern?

I enjoyed the responsibility and trust placed in me to work on a number of high-impact projects. I was made to feel like a true team member. Thanks for such a wonderful experience.

How will the LCCF Internship help you move forward in your career?

This internship gave me hands-on experience in managing a project in a technical research environment, which helped to build a portfolio with tools including JIRA, React, and Python. I got to see the full product development lifecycle — from stakeholder research to deployment while building core skills in cross-functional collaboration and process optimization. The internship was a confirmation of my aspiration to combine technical problem-solving and strategic thinking.

How did your background prepare you for this opportunity?

The programming coursework from my undergraduate degree gave me the technical foundation to contribute to React development on epiEngage and understand architectural discussions. My history creating educational content as a tutor prepared me to develop the Jetstream2 tutorial series. I had no prior experience working with pandemic modeling or HPC, but I was able to learn domain knowledge quickly by conducting informational interviews with TACC employees and applying it across four simultaneous projects.

Why should others apply to the program?

The internship provides a setting where you are valued and your efforts matter. You are guided by professionals who invest in your development and receive workplace preparation training to equip you for a career. This opportunity is available to anyone interested in learning. TACC believes skills are transferable and enthusiasm is what counts.

Kamani Bryan

Mentorship Group: Data Visualization

Mentor(s): Kelly Gaither

Why did you apply for the NSF LCCF Internship?

I met my mentor during my time in the Advanced Computing Student Collaborative in 2022. She was a positive influence who boosted my overall confidence and interest in data science.

What project(s) did you work on during your time as an LCCF Intern?

I created a data dashboard for TACC’s Education and Outreach team with information on all programs and participants since 2015, plus a map to make the data easier to explore.

What did you enjoy most about being an LCCF Intern?

I appreciate knowing that I can always reach out to someone for help with anything.

How will the LCCF Internship help you move forward in your career?

Since I am not a college student or graduate, I have been trying different things to see where I want my life to go, career-wise. This internship provided a clearer path on the direction to go.

How did your background prepare you for this opportunity?

While I didn’t come in with extensive computer experience, I have lots of soft skills. Having interpersonal skills helped me navigate this community because, while TACC is a welcoming place, it’s an introverted environment.

Why should others apply to the program?

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Internships rarely accept applicants without experience in the field or a degree. I believe in giving people a chance to learn and gain experience, and that’s what happens here.

Jermaine Newman

Mentorship Group: Large Scale Systems

Mentor(s): John DeSantis

Why did you apply for the NSF LCCF Internship?

Due to exponential changes in the world of technology, tech has surpassed some of the skills I learned through education and previous work experience. I wanted to build upon the general understanding I had and explore paths that may be available with mentorship and training. I began to study programming material and was inspired by what the LCCF internship had to offer.

What project(s) did you work on during your time as an LCCF Intern?

I chose to study the allocation of local resources such as water and power. My project involved researching regional data and developing a program to address power balance within a data center. I participated in campus events, meetings, and contributed to HPC updates. In my time at TACC, I have gained real-world experience in operations and the development of cluster architecture.

What did you enjoy most about being an LCCF Intern?

TACC staff made this a wonderful experience. Everyone is willing to share their knowledge and assistance to aid in your success.

How will the LCCF Internship help you move forward in your career?

Science and research offer many career paths. This internship has given me access to great people who supported me in developing contacts and skills that will be beneficial beyond this program. My understanding of IT has grown significantly.

How did your background prepare you for this opportunity?

My previous work in telecommunications provided insight into aspects of the infrastructure, cabling, provisioning, and maintenance activity done in the data center. I enjoyed assisting the Large Scale Systems and Storage Archive Team members daily with HPC support.

Why should others apply to the program?

If you are excited about technology or are looking for an environment with great people committed to your success, you should apply. If you love technology and are determined to learn, the program’s activities and feedback will help you reach your goals.

Kendeldrick Broaden

Mentorship Group: Data Analytics

Mentor(s): Ari Kahn, James Carson

Why did you apply for the NSF LCCF Internship?

I wanted real-world experience in programming and data analytics. I aspire to be a data scientist and knew this would be a great step toward reaching my goals. This internship provided the opportunity to practice programming, gain insight into performing scientific research, and, ultimately, leverage these insights for my graduate school applications.

What project(s) did you work on during your time as an LCCF Intern?

I’ve been working on the Acute to Chronic Pain Signatures (A2CPS) study which aims to create biomarkers for predicting chronic pain. My role has been centered in cleaning, extracting, and converting data so it can be used for regressive statistics. I have converted nearly 40 data sets, which has been an amazing learning experience. This internship gave me a direct insight on how machine learning, data, and scientific research can be used to develop positive outcomes for society.

What did you enjoy most about being an LCCF Intern?

I valued learning about the other interns’ projects. The open setting allowed us to see how others handled their errors and elaborate on the difficulties of their projects. I also appreciated the professional development opportunities we received. We met with experienced industry professionals and received feedback on what it is like to work in academia, government, and private-sector environments. I now have more tools and information to confidently approach the tech industry.

How will the LCCF Internship help you move forward in your career?

Thanks to the LCCF internship, I got to debug through python, communicate programming errors and outputs, and learn the process of converting data. Now, I can use this experience in job interviews and troubleshoot with future coworkers.

How did your background prepare you for this opportunity?

My bachelor’s degree in psychology and economics was my first introduction into scientific research. I’ve studied programming and research, but I lacked the practical experience of working on a team project. I was challenged to meet the learning curve and am now more proficient with these tools.

Why should others apply to the program?

Whether you are transitioning into another career, applying for higher education, seeking scientific research experience, or would like to work with supercomputers, the LCCF internship is an incredible opportunity.