# Ian T. Foster

> Computer science prof at U. Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory

**Wikidata**: [Q5981559](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5981559)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Foster_(computer_scientist))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ian-t-foster

## Summary
Ian T. Foster is a computer scientist and university teacher, holding citizenship in both New Zealand and the United States. He is a computer science professor at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory. Foster is recognized for his significant contributions to high-performance computing and distributed systems, including work in parallel programming languages and global computing platforms.

## Biography
*   Born: 1959, Wellington, New Zealand
*   Nationality: New Zealand, United States
*   Education: Bachelor of Science (1980) and Doctor of Science (2005) from University of Canterbury; Doctor of Philosophy (1988) from Imperial College London.
*   Known for: Contributions to high-performance computing, distributed systems, and parallel programming languages.
*   Employer(s): University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory
*   Field(s): Application, applied computer science, web service, cloud computing, data processing, programming language

## Contributions
Ian T. Foster has made substantial contributions to the fields of high-performance computing and distributed systems. His work includes advancements in parallel programming languages, collaborative and distributed computing, and the design, deployment, and application of practical Internet-scale global computing platforms. He was recognized as an ACM Fellow in 2009 for his work in parallel programming languages, collaborative and distributed computing. His sustained contributions to high-performance computing and distributed systems at the highest level were acknowledged with the Charles Babbage Award in 2019 and the Harry H. Goode Memorial Award in 2020. In 2023, he received the IEEE Internet Award for his contributions to global computing platforms. He has also been involved in the development of web services, cloud computing, data processing, and programming languages, influencing these areas through his research and academic roles.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Ian T. Foster's primary occupation?
A: Ian T. Foster is a computer scientist and university teacher. He is a computer science professor at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory.

### Q: Where did Ian T. Foster receive his education?
A: Ian T. Foster earned a Bachelor of Science (1980) and a Doctor of Science (2005) from the University of Canterbury, and a Doctor of Philosophy (1988) from Imperial College London.

### Q: What are some of Ian T. Foster's notable awards?
A: Ian T. Foster has received several prestigious awards, including the Lovelace Medal (2002), ACM Fellow (2009), Tsutomu Kanai Award (2011), Charles Babbage Award (2019), Harry H. Goode Memorial Award (2020), Ken Kennedy Award (2022), and the IEEE Internet Award (2023).

### Q: What are Ian T. Foster's main areas of expertise?
A: His main areas of expertise include application, applied computer science, web service, cloud computing, data processing, and programming language, with a focus on high-performance computing and distributed systems.

### Q: Is Ian T. Foster affiliated with any major organizations?
A: Yes, Ian T. Foster is a computer science professor at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory. He is also an ACM Fellow, indicating his membership and recognition within the Association for Computing Machinery.

## Why They Matter
Ian T. Foster's work has profoundly shaped the landscape of high-performance computing and distributed systems. His pioneering efforts in parallel programming languages and collaborative computing have laid foundational groundwork for how complex computational tasks are managed and executed across networks. By contributing to the design and application of Internet-scale global computing platforms, he has directly influenced the development of modern cloud computing and web services, making these technologies more robust and accessible. His research and leadership have not only advanced theoretical computer science but have also driven practical implementations that are critical to scientific discovery and industrial innovation. The numerous prestigious awards he has received, such as the IEEE Internet Award and the Harry H. Goode Memorial Award, underscore the lasting impact and significance of his contributions to the field, making him a pivotal figure in the evolution of distributed and high-performance computing.

## Notable For
*   Recipient of the IEEE Internet Award (2023) for contributions to Internet-scale global computing platforms.
*   Awarded the Harry H. Goode Memorial Award (2020) and Charles Babbage Award (2019) for sustained contributions to high-performance computing and distributed systems.
*   Recognized as an ACM Fellow (2009) for work in parallel programming languages, collaborative and distributed computing.
*   Professor of computer science at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory.
*   Doctoral advisor to several computer scientists, including Ioan Raicu.

## Body

### Personal Details
*   **Full Name:** Ian T. Foster
*   **Aliases:** Ian Tremere Foster, Professor Foster, Ian Foster, Ian T Foster, IT Foster, I Foster
*   **Born:** 1959 in Wellington, New Zealand
*   **Nationality:** New Zealand, United States
*   **Residence:** Chicago
*   **Sex:** Male

### Education
*   **Bachelor of Science:** University of Canterbury (1980)
*   **Doctor of Philosophy:** Imperial College London (1988)
*   **Doctor of Science (Honorary):** University of Canterbury (2005)
*   **Doctoral Advisor:** Keith Clark

### Professional Career
*   **Occupation:** University teacher, computer scientist, information scientist
*   **Employer:** University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory

### Key Contributions and Research Areas
*   **High-Performance Computing:** Sustained contributions to high-performance computing and distributed systems.
*   **Distributed Systems:** Significant work in collaborative and distributed computing.
*   **Global Computing Platforms:** Contributions to the design, deployment, and application of practical Internet-scale global computing platforms.
*   **Programming Languages:** Research and development in parallel programming languages.
*   **Cloud Computing & Web Services:** Expertise in cloud computing and web service technologies.
*   **Data Processing:** Involved in data processing research.
*   **Fields of Work:** Application, applied computer science, web service, cloud computing, data processing, programming language

### Awards and Recognition
*   **Lovelace Medal:** 2002
*   **ACM Fellow:** 2009 (For work in parallel programming languages, collaborative and distributed computing)
*   **Tsutomu Kanai Award:** 2011
*   **Charles Babbage Award:** 2019 (For sustained contributions to high-performance computing and distributed systems at the highest level)
*   **Harry H. Goode Memorial Award:** 2020 (For sustained contributions to high-performance computing and distributed systems at the highest level)
*   **Ken Kennedy Award:** 2022
*   **IEEE Internet Award:** 2023 (For contributions to the design, deployment, and application of practical Internet-scale global computing platforms)

### Affiliations
*   **Member:** Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
*   **Doctoral Students:** Adriana I. Iamnitchi, Rakesh Krishnaiyer, Chuang Liu, Matei Ripeanu, Lingyun Yang, Warren Smith, Ioan Raicu, Kavitha Ranganathan

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## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. IdRef
3. [Hon doc - Professor Ian Foster](https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/alumni/our-alumni/uc-hon-docs/ian-foster/)
4. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0003-2129-5269/employment/16548605)
5. [Source](https://www.acm.org/media-center/2009/december/acm-names-47-fellows-for-innovations-in-computing-information-technology)
6. [Source](https://www.computer.org/volunteering/awards/goode)
7. [Source](https://www.ieee.org/content/dam/ieee-org/ieee/web/org/about/awards/recipients/internet-rl.pdf)
8. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/kennedy/award-recipients)
9. [Source](https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/our-structure/leadership-and-governance/university-council/council-committees/professores-emeriti-hon-docs-and-distinguished-professors)
10. [Source](https://www.computer.org/volunteering/awards/babbage)
11. Mathematics Genealogy Project
12. Virtual International Authority File
13. CiNii Research
14. Integrated Authority File
15. NUKAT
16. CONOR.SI
17. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File