# Valerie Taylor

> African American computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q20675741](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20675741)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Taylor_(computer_scientist))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/valerie-taylor-q20675741

## Summary
Valerie Taylor is a prominent African American computer scientist and academic leader known for her research in high-performance computing and her advocacy for diversity in the technology sector. She is a Fellow of both the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), recognized specifically for her leadership in broadening participation in the computing field.

## Biography
- Born: May 24, 1963, in Chicago, Illinois
- Nationality: United States
- Education: B.S. (1985) and M.S. (1986) in Computer Science from Purdue University; Ph.D. (1991) from the University of California, Berkeley
- Known for: Leadership in broadening participation in computing and scientific scholarship
- Employer(s): Northwestern University (1991–2003); Texas A&M University (2003–present)
- Field(s): Computer Science

## Contributions
Valerie Taylor has made significant contributions to computer science through both her academic research and her leadership in professional organizations. After completing her Ph.D. at UC Berkeley in 1991 under advisor David Gavin Messerschmitt, she joined the faculty of Northwestern University. During her twelve-year tenure there, she focused on high-performance computing and was awarded the A. Nico Habermann Award in 2002 for her service to the profession.

In 2003, Taylor moved to Texas A&M University, where she continued her research and mentorship. Her work is characterized by a commitment to "civic science," a dedication that earned her the Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award for Scientific Scholarship, Civic Science, and Diversifying Computing in 2005. As an educator, she has mentored several doctoral students, including Warren Smith and Jonathan Gary Geisler. Her professional impact is further evidenced by her election as an IEEE Fellow in 2013 and an ACM Fellow in 2016, the latter specifically citing her efforts to increase diversity and participation within the computing community.

## FAQs
### Q: What are Valerie Taylor's primary areas of expertise?
A: Valerie Taylor is a computer scientist recognized for her work in high-performance computing and her extensive leadership in diversifying the computing profession.

### Q: What major professional honors has Valerie Taylor received?
A: She is a Fellow of the ACM (2016) and the IEEE (2013). She also received the Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award in 2005 and the A. Nico Habermann Award in 2002.

### Q: Where has Valerie Taylor held faculty positions?
A: She served as a faculty member at Northwestern University from 1991 to 2003 and joined Texas A&M University in 2003.

## Why They Matter
Valerie Taylor is a transformative figure in computer science who has successfully bridged the gap between high-level scientific research and social advocacy. By achieving Fellow status in both the ACM and IEEE, she reached the highest echelons of her field, providing a visible model of excellence for underrepresented groups in technology. Her work has been instrumental in addressing the "participation gap" in computing, ensuring that the industry evolves to include a broader range of perspectives. Through her leadership roles and her mentorship of doctoral students, she has influenced the institutional culture of major research universities and professional societies alike. Without her contributions, the organized efforts to diversify the computing pipeline would lack one of its most decorated and effective advocates.

## Notable For
* **ACM Fellow (2016):** Awarded for leadership in broadening participation in computing.
* **IEEE Fellow (2013):** Recognized for her contributions to the field of electrical and electronics engineering.
* **Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award (2005):** Honored for scientific scholarship, civic science, and diversifying computing.
* **A. Nico Habermann Award (2002):** Recognized for outstanding contributions to aiding underrepresented groups within the computing research community.

## Body
### Education and Early Career
Valerie Elaine Taylor began her academic career at Purdue University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in 1985 and her Master of Science in 1986. She then attended the University of California, Berkeley, for her doctoral studies. She completed her Ph.D. in 1991 under the supervision of David Gavin Messerschmitt.

### Academic Appointments
Taylor has held significant roles at two major U.S. research institutions:
* **Northwestern University:** From 1991 to 2003, she served as a faculty member in the computer science department.
* **Texas A&M University:** In 2003, she transitioned to Texas A&M, continuing her work in research and academic administration.

### Professional Leadership and Fellows Status
Taylor is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and has been recognized by the world's leading technical societies:
* **IEEE Fellowship:** She was named an IEEE Fellow in 2013.
* **ACM Fellowship:** She was inducted as an ACM Fellow on December 8, 2016.

### Research and Mentorship
Taylor's research is documented across several major academic databases, including DBLP (author ID 50/1380) and the ACM Digital Library. Her role as an educator is highlighted by her supervision of doctoral candidates in the Mathematics Genealogy Project, including:
* **Warren Smith**
* **Jonathan Gary Geisler**

### Recognition for Diversity Initiatives
Throughout her career, Taylor has been a leading voice for inclusion. Her awards in this area include the A. Nico Habermann Award (2002) and the Richard A. Tapia Achievement Award (2005), both of which recognize her efforts to expand the reach of computer science to underrepresented populations.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/valerie-taylor)
2. [Source](http://www.ncsa.illinois.edu/Conferences/Tapia2005/)
3. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/fellows/award-winners)
4. [Source](https://www.acm.org/media-center/2016/december/fellows-2016)
5. Mathematics Genealogy Project