Purdue University

Purdue’s Women in High-Performance Computing (WHPC) group recently sponsored a graduate student's attendance at the Twenty-First Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security (SOUPS’25), held in Seattle last month. SOUPS brings together an interdisciplinary group of researchers and practitioners in human-computer interaction, security, and privacy.

“Attending SOUPS’25 was such a rewarding experience for me,” says Madiha Fathima, a master’s degree student in computer and information technology who is graduating in December. Fathima spent her summer working for Purdue’s Rosen Center for Advanced Computing as a research development intern, helping with curriculum development and teaching.

“It was my first time at this conference, and I was amazed by how welcoming and approachable the community was.”

At SOUPS, Fathima was able to engage in in-depth discussions and felt welcome to freely share her opinions and findings in her own research. She highlighted how respectful and attentive others at the conference were to her ideas. One of her biggest takeaways from the conference was how much of an impact human-centered thinking has on the future of security and privacy research.

“I learned that designing secure systems isn’t just about the technology, it’s also about making sure people can actually use them safely and effectively,” says Fathima. “I also made a few connections with researchers whose work overlaps with my own interests, and those conversations gave me ideas about potential career directions, especially in research labs and industry settings that combine both technical and human factors. It was eye-opening to see the many different paths people in this field have taken.”

“I’m really grateful for the support from Purdue WHPC,” Fathima says. “Without the grant, it would have been difficult for me to attend, and being there in person made all the difference. It gave me the chance to be fully immersed in the conference, to meet people face-to-face, and to feel part of the larger research community. Receiving this support also felt like a real vote of confidence in my work and potential, which was very motivating.”

Fathima adds that she would definitely recommend the WHPC scholarship program to other Purdue students. “It’s not just about covering travel costs; it’s about opening doors to experiences that can genuinely shape your academic and career journey. Being at conferences can broaden your perspective, help you meet mentors and collaborators, and show you possibilities you may not have thought about before. I think more students should take advantage of this opportunity, especially those who might feel unsure if conferences are ‘for them.’”

Purdue WHPC is part of the engagement initiative by RCAC and is led by women staffers affiliated with RCAC. WHPC’s mission is to promote diversity, encompassing undergraduate, graduate, staff and faculty.

Within the WHPC initiative, RCAC extends partial travel assistance to undergraduate and graduate students, empowering their participation in various national conferences aligning with WHPC’s objectives. Applicants are assessed on their demonstrated experience with advanced computation and must explain what they hope to gain from participating in the conference. To be eligible, an applicant must identify as a woman and be an undergrad or grad student maintaining good academic standing.

For full eligibility requirements, and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the WHPC Scholarship page.

In addition to the scholarship program, Purdue WHPC organizes a range of activities including regular meetings to discuss technical HPC-related issues of interest, opportunities to network with the WHPC community, a mentorship program, workshops, and exposure to external resources and opportunities.

For more information about Purdue WHPC, contact whpc@purdue.edu.