Computing’s Top 30: Rohan Basu Roy

Rohan Basu Roy is one of our "Computing's Top 30 Early Career Professionals" for 2025. This program seeks to highlight an esteemed group of rising stars who earned this honor for their exceptional early-career achievements and role in driving advancements across the computing landscape. 

Introduction

My name is Rohan Basu Roy, and I am an Assistant Professor in the Kahlert School of Computing at the University of Utah, with an affiliation with the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute. I lead a research group that is focused on high performance computer systems and architecture. My work spans supercomputing, cloud and serverless systems, AI infrastructure, and emerging quantum computing platforms. I work on problems in resource management, scheduling, runtime systems, and system software across compute, memory, networking, storage, and I/O. A major part of my research asks how we can make large-scale computing systems more efficient, scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable in how they use resources.

What inspired you to pursue a career in technology?

I became interested in technology quite early, and my family was very supportive of that from the start. They encouraged curiosity and gave me the space to explore technical interests seriously, which made a real difference.

As I went further, I found myself drawn most strongly to computer systems. I liked that the field is grounded in real-world constraints and real outcomes. Systems work is not just about ideas in isolation. It affects how machines run, how applications scale, and how large platforms operate. That mix of technical depth and practical impact is what made me pursue a career in this area.

What do you consider your highest achievement so far, and how do you plan to continue or build on that success?

I would consider my highest achievement so far to be the open-source tools I have developed with my papers for core systems problems such as tuning, scheduling, and parameter optimization. What matters most to me is that these tools have been useful to the community beyond the original research.

To build on that, I want to continue developing systems software that stays relevant as computing expands beyond traditional platforms. As cloud, AI, quantum, and other emerging paradigms grow, I am interested in building more unified abstractions and optimization frameworks that can support this increasingly diverse systems landscape.

Who do you draw inspiration from, and how did that motivate you in your education or career?

I draw inspiration from mentors, my PhD advisor, hardworking students, and excellent colleagues. They shape how I think about systems research and keep me focused on useful questions, careful evaluation, and concrete progress. I should also mention that tight paper submission deadlines also help by forcing clarity, prioritization, and execution.

How are you currently involved in the tech community?

I stay involved in the tech community by publishing original research, releasing open-source tools and frameworks, and mentoring undergraduate and Ph.D. students. I also contribute through professional service in flagship conferences, including organizational roles and technical program committee service. Much of this work is tied to computer systems research and to building software and research artifacts that others can use and extend.

Is there any emerging technology or industry segment you find exciting or interesting?

Currently, I am particularly interested in quantum computing, especially at its intersection with HPC systems. Different quantum modalities, such as superconducting, trapped-ion, neutral-atom, and photonic systems, come with very different constraints and trade-offs. I find the systems challenge of building runtimes, scheduling methods, and software abstractions across these platforms especially interesting.

How do you see technology shaping humanitarian efforts or social good in the next 5 years?

I think technology will shape social good most by making critical computing infrastructure more accessible and more efficient. In the next five years, better systems for AI, cloud, and large-scale computing can help hospitals, researchers, and public institutions do more with limited resources, whether that means faster analysis, lower operating cost, or wider access to digital services.

If you have ever worked cross-disciplinarily, how did that influence your way of thinking or the way you approach your work?

Working across computer systems and environmental sustainability has made me evaluate systems more broadly, not just by performance and cost, but also by energy, carbon, water, and public health impact. It has also made me more aware that a more performant system is not always better overall, since higher performance can sometimes come with higher environmental cost.

What advice would you give to young professionals or recent graduates who are trying to enter your field?

My advice would be to get into a real problem early and start solving it, instead of waiting until you feel you have learned everything first. There is no end to learning in this field, and a lot of real depth comes from hands-on work, experimentation, and seeing where systems actually break. It is also important to find mentors who support and encourage you, along with like-minded students or colleagues who help you improve. I also think it helps to stay around people who are ahead of you in some way, because that gives you something concrete to learn from and work toward.

Stay Connected

You can find more of Rohan’s work and find him on the following platforms:

• LinkedIn
• GitHub

Build A Legacy

IEEE Computer Society is sunsetting its Top 30 Early Career Professionals award. However, those currently developing their careers can still participate and gain recognition in the industry using resources and activities from the Society. Make an impact by:

• Being a peer reviewer for a publication or conference
• Reviewing industry standards in their area of expertise
• Participating in a technical community or local chapter
• Becoming a judge for the IEEE CS student awards

Explore ways to get involved with the IEEE Computer Society and volunteer to start building an influential legacy.