Scientific Computing Specialist | High-Performance Computing | GPU Development

Computational physicist with 15+ years of experience in high-performance scientific computing and algorithm development. Expert in GPU-accelerated computing (CUDA), parallel algorithms, and numerical methods for solving complex partial differential equations. Proven track record of achieving 10-20x performance improvements through algorithmic optimization and hardware acceleration.

Core expertise in computational electromagnetics with successful applications across biomedical imaging, industrial simulations, and commercial software development. Strong mathematical foundation combined with practical engineering skills in C++ and CUDA programming.

Areas of Expertise

High-Performance Computing: GPU acceleration (CUDA), multi-GPU systems, parallel algorithms, performance optimization
Scientific Computing: Finite Element Methods (FEM), computational electromagnetics, inverse problems, numerical linear algebra
Algorithm Development: Sparse and dense matrix solvers, preconditioners, domain decomposition methods, iterative solvers
Software Engineering: C++ (advanced), CUDA C/C++, Python, MATLAB, Intel MKL, software architecture
Mathematical Modeling: PDEs, Integral Equations, optimization methods, medical imaging algorithms

Education 🎓

Ph.D. Electronics and Communications Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy, 2008 – 2011

Dissertation: Computational Methods for Microwave Imaging - Biomedical Applications Focus: GPU-accelerated algorithms, inverse scattering problems, high-performance computing

M.Sc., (Laurea Specialistica), Biomedical Engineering Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy, 2005 – 2007

Thesis: Microwave Tomography for Breast Cancer Detection Focus: Computational modeling, signal processing, medical imaging

B.Sc., (Laurea Triennale), Software Engineering University of Palermo, Italy, 2001 – 2004

Thesis: Noise Reduction in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Focus: Algorithm development, image processing

Professional Experience 💼

Senior Developer - Electromagnetic Solutions

Siemens Digital Industries Software (Altair Engineering GmbH), Germany | July 2014 – Present

Developing high-performance algorithms for Altair Feko, a comprehensive computational electromagnetic software used globally for antenna design, electromagnetic compatibility, and radar cross-section analysis (and much more).

Key Contributions & Computational Achievements:

Implemented GPU-accelerated ray tracing for electromagnetic optics, achieving 20x performance improvement compared to single-core CPU implementation
Developed efficient preconditioners for sparse matrix equation systems, achieving 15x acceleration compared to sequential code using Intel MKL
Designed and implemented Discontinuous Galerkin Method for Integral Equations handling non-conformal meshes
Optimized time-domain solver achieving 10x speedup relative to sequential implementation
Developed novel algorithms for metamaterial modeling within the FEM solver framework
Led C++ development initiatives and code modernization efforts

Technologies: CUDA, C++, Intel MKL, OpenMP, MPI, GPU profiling tools

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy | July 2013 – June 2014

Developed GPU-accelerated algorithms for computational electromagnetic applications in biomedical and industrial contexts
Implemented fast and reliable solvers integrated into the MICENEA project
Focus on high-performance computing solutions for real-time medical imaging applications

Researcher

Istituto Superiore Mario Boella, Turin, Italy | January 2011 – June 2014

Designed and simulated RF devices and antennas in complex media
Lead computational researcher on RADIODRY industrial project
Developed numerical models for electromagnetic wave propagation in heterogeneous materials

Early Company Member - Computational Scientist

NE Scientific LLC, Boston, MA, USA | January 2011 – December 2013

Developed GPU-accelerated sparse linear solver for medical imaging applications
Achieved 8x speedup compared to Intel PARDISO MKL on sequential core
Implemented parallel algorithms for real-time image reconstruction
Published results in peer-reviewed journals demonstrating computational advantages

Research Assistant - High-Performance Computing

Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA | January 2011 – August 2011

Developed HPC algorithms for multi-modal image guidance system (NIH Grant: 1RC1EB011000-01)
Achieved 20x acceleration of imaging algorithms using multi-GPU systems
Implemented parallel computing solutions for real-time prostate biopsy guidance
Member of the Bioimpedance Research Group

Publications 🗞️

Selected Publications (Computational & HPC Focus)

High-Performance Computing & GPU Acceleration

ATTARDO E.A., BORSIC A. (2012) – GPU Acceleration of Algebraic Multigrid for Low-Frequency Finite Element Methods – IEEE APS/URSI, Chicago, doi: 10.1109/APS.2012.6348988
BORSIC A., ATTARDO E.A., HALTER R. (2012) – Multi-GPU Jacobian Accelerated Computing for Soft Field Tomography, Physiological Measurements, Vol.33, 1703, doi: 10.1088/0967-3334/33/10/1703
ATTARDO E.A., FRANCAVILLA M.A., VIPIANA F., VECCHI G. (2012) – Investigation on Accelerating FFT-Based Methods for the EFIE on Graphics Processors, International Journal of Numerical Modelling, doi: 10.1002/jnm.1867
BORSIC A., HOFFER E., ATTARDO E.A. (2014) – GPU-Accelerated Real Time Simulation of Radio Frequency Ablation Thermal Dose, Northeast Bioengineering Conference, Boston

Computational Methods & Algorithm Development

ATTARDO E.A., VECCHI G., CROCCO L. (2014) – Contrast Source Extended Born Inversion in Noncanonical Scenarios via FEM Modeling, IEEE Transaction on Antennas and Propagation, doi: 10.1109/TAP.2014.2336259
ATTARDO E.A., JAKOBUS U., BINGLE M., VAN TONDER J. (2019) – Auxiliary Space-based Preconditioner for High Order Finite Element Method, IEEE APS/URSI Atlanta

[Full publication list: 30+ papers available at 📎]

Technical Skills

High-Performance Computing

GPU Programming: CUDA (expert), OpenCL, GPU optimization techniques
Parallel Computing: MPI, OpenMP, multi-threading, distributed computing
Performance Tools: NVIDIA Nsight, Intel VTune, profiling and optimization