This article below, was originally published by the highlighting CMD-IT CEO, Dr. Valerie E. Taylor.
Throughout her career, Valerie E. Taylor Ph.D. ‘91 has been a path-breaking presence and role model for women in computer science, for underrepresented students, and for students and professionals in STEM.
Dr. Taylor is an Argonne Distinguished Fellow and director of the Mathematics and Computer Science Division at Argonne National Laboratory. She researches high-performance computing with a focus on performance analysis, modeling, and tuning of parallel scientific applications for energy efficiency.
A significant part of Dr. Taylor’s legacy is her work with the Center for Minorities and People with Disabilities in IT, which she co-founded in 2011. The nonprofit focuses on Black, Native American/Indigenous, Hispanic/Latinx, and people with disabilities in the computing and IT fields.
She has remained active at Berkeley since earning her Ph.D. in 1991, supporting Cal’s Black Engineering and Science Alumni Club and donating to a scholarship fund for undergraduates affiliated with the club.
Dr. Taylor is one of this year’s recipients of the Campanile Excellence in Achievement Award, which recognizes an alum whose remarkable professional achievements reflect the excellence of a UC Berkeley education. The award will be presented at this year’s Berkeley Charter Gala in May.