Jane Cullum is a member of the mathematical sciences research staff in IBM's Research Division, which employs more than 2,600 researchers at seven laboratories around the world. Based out of the T.J.Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, NY, Jane applies her knowledge of mathematics and computer science to design, analyze, and implement numerical algorithms on superscalar and parallel IBM computers.
"Corporate research is changing in the 1990s," says Jane. "Where once we pursued a number of individual research projects spanning a wide range of topics, now we work on fewer but better- focused team projects. The focus in all parts of IBM remains on computers -- especially networked computing -- and on how computers can be used to revolutionize all aspects of our lives. Realistic computer simulations, in commercial and in technological applications, are a central part of this revolution."
Currently, Jane is working on parallel algorithms for large scale symmetric eigenvalue computations, and attempting to construct reduced order models for certain types of circuit simulations. Her most recent publications address open problems associated with using iterative methods for certain types of large matrix problems that occur in many simulation codes.
From the time she was ten years old, Jane dreamed of getting a medical degree. However, financial considerations and discussions with high school counselors, convinced her that getting a B.Sc. in chemical engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University was more plausible then studying pre-med. Subsequently, mathematics faculty encouraged her to pursue a Ph.D. in applied mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley.
"I went to IBM not knowing anything about the company, other than that it was highly recommended by one of the most respected professors in the electrical engineering department at Berkeley," she recalls. "I am certain that my work has taken a very different path at IBM than it would have taken at a university. I have enjoyed the freedom of choosing research topics, working on real world problems, and developing algorithms that people actually use."
In addition to her research, her professional experiences include 13 years in management. From 1979-1982 she managed a Numerical Algorithms Group doing research on differential equations, lithographic and macromagnetics simulations, signal processing, and modal analyses. From 1982- 1992 she was Senior Manager of the Applied Mathematics Area of the Mathematical Sciences Department in IBM Research.
"Working for a company like IBM requires flexibility," she notes. "As the needs of our customers change, the focus of our research activities change. Change, however, can provide opportunities for professional and personal growth. An extremely positive aspect of working at IBM is the opportunity to interact with other parts of the company on the same project. Interdisciplinary interactions are encouraged and rewarded. In many universities the only impetus promoting such interactions is the supply of government grants for interdisciplinary support."
She recommends that students who are interested in industrial positions explore as many of the following areas as feasible: analysis, partial and ordinary differential equations, linear algebra, probability and data analysis, numerical analysis, control, communications, object-oriented programming languages, machine architectures, databases, knowledge base engineering, and visualization, and some physics and engineering. In addition, computational experience and good programming skills are absolutely essential. Moreover, she suggests that students identify and take several courses from professors who openly express interest in real world applications.
Jane says that as a woman, it is easier to achieve recognition for your accomplishments in a corporate setting than at a university. She also notes, however, that such recognition typically will not come unless you actively seek it. She also suggests that women can increase their visibility and simultaneously broaden their contacts and knowledge base by becoming involved in professional societies. She has been a Vice-President of SIAM, a member of the SIAM Board of Trustees, and has served as President of the IEEE Control Systems Society.
"Finally," she suggests, "women and men should cultivate their sense of humor, set clear professional and personal goals, and actively pursue their goals."
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