Dr. Rosni Abdullah

PROMINENT WOMER RESEARCHER
Prof. Dr. Rosni Abdullah
Parallel and Distributed Computing, Cluster and Grid Computing,
Parallel Algorithms, Multicore Computing, Bioinformatics, Neuroinformatics
Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang
Office Tel: 604-6533647 H/P: 013-422 9048
A personal interest quickly developed in high performance computing as she was exposed to
supercomputing activities in the early 1990s. That motivated her to explore the area by pursuing
her doctoral studies in the development of parallel algorithms for numerical methods in 1994.
Upon completion of her Phd in 1997, she paved the direction of parallel and distributed
computing research for the School of Computer Sciences. The Parallel and Distributed Processing
Research Group become the lead and reference point of the nation in two focus areas, i.e grid
computing and parallel algorithms for bioinformatics applications. Being the first few researchers
in parallel processing for the nation, she has played an important role in promoting the
acceptance of parallel and distributed computing at the national level.
One major contribution has been the promotion of grid computing at the national level and also
fostering grid relations at the international level. She is currently one the drivers behind
KnowledgeGRID Malaysia. Another significant contribution the development of parallel algorithms
to process and analyse biological data. This discovery has not just led to development of more
parallel algorithms to manage and analyse biological data but has also opened up new spectrum
of how the complete area of computer science can be applied to bioinformatics. She has received
numerous grants from the university and goverment for her research in high performance
computing.
Some of her awards include Academic Staff Higher Education Scheme in November 1993 – 1997,
Excellent Service Award 1994 and Excellent Service Award 2003. She was one of the first two
recipients of Intel Research grant and a grant under the 6th Framework Programme of the
European Commission worth 258,000 Euros. The most recent achievement was the recognition
from Intel for her research group to train Malaysian researchers in multicore programming.

Her research activities has led to international collaboration with various parties, namely National
University of Singapore, North Carolina University in USA, National University of Science and
Technology in Pakistan in projects that leverage on grid and high performance computing. The
Intel connection has led to various collaboration amongst other researchers who particpate in the
Intel programmes in their respective countries. Most recent is her participation in the UNESCO
Bangkok and Jakarta expert meeting on ICT Graduate Empoyability.
Besides her active participation in teaching and research, she also devotes her time to society.
Specifically, she is external examiners to several Computer Science faculties in Malaysia and she
also serves the Malaysian Qualification Agency for accreditation of Computer Science programmes
at private institutions. Her expertise is also sought after by the National Examination Board to
review the Computer Science subjects for the Malaysian curriculum. She is also one of the Senat
member and Board of Director for a private college which needs guidance in their computer
science curriculum. She also gives motivational talks to secondary school children.
She majored in Applied Math and Computer Science for her Bachelors degree obtained from
Western Michigan University, USA in 1984. She obtained her Masters in Computer Science from
the same university in 1986. She obtained her PhD degree from Loughborough University, UK in
1997.
She has held various administrative positions and has moved on to become the Dean for the
School of Computer Sciences and also Head of Parallel and Distributed Processing Research Group.
She is also a member of the Association of Computing Machinery(ACM).