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Year: 1989​
Who: Philip Emeagwali, PhD ​
Where: Ann Arbor, Michigan
What: Philip Emeagwali, born on 23 August 1954 in Akure, Nigeria, is a Nigerian-American computer scientist recognized for his groundbreaking work in high-performance computing. His early years were marked by hardship, including being forced to drop out of school at 14 due to financial constraints. However, Emeagwali’s drive for knowledge led him to pursue self-study, eventually earning his GED and gaining acceptance to college in the United States.
Emeagwali attended Oregon State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1977. He went on to complete master’s degrees in ocean and marine engineering at George Washington University and applied mathematics at the University of Maryland. His academic journey culminated in significant contributions to computational science.
In 1989, Emeagwali achieved international recognition for his work with the Connection Machine, a massively parallel supercomputer. He developed a program that utilized computational fluid dynamics to model oil reservoirs, making 1.3 billion calculations per second. This achievement earned him the prestigious Gordon Bell Prize, highlighting his innovative approach to problem-solving in supercomputing. His microprocessor technology also played a crucial role in the development of the Power Mac G4.
Throughout his career, Emeagwali’s work has earned him over 100 awards, and his contributions to supercomputing have had a lasting impact on fields like oil reservoir modeling and computational science. He has become an inspiring figure, demonstrating the power of perseverance and self-education in overcoming adversity. His journey serves as a testament to the transformative potential of determination and intellectual curiosity.
Sources:
Websites:
BlackPast. (n.d.). Philip Emeagwali (1954-). https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/emeagwali-philip-1954/
My Black History. (n.d.). Philip Emeagwali: Pioneer of Supercomputing. https://www.myblackhistory.net/Philip_Emeagwali.htm​
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