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Meet Your Mentor!
We sat down with our 2025 Anvil REU Mentors to discuss their role at RCAC, what their REU students will be working on, and much, much more. Keep reading below to learn more about your mentor.
Frank Bakhit
Please introduce yourself
My name is Frank Bakhit. I am a Research Solutions Engineer at RCAC.
What do you do?
Research Solutions Engineer
Why would I come to you for help?
For help with any technical questions on kubernetes, HPC or anything Linux-related.
What's one thing you wish you'd known when you started working in HPC?
I wish I had known how much HPC is about people/users/customers, not just systems. Understanding users' workloads and workflows is just as important as building and tuning the clusters.
What's one professional skill you're currently working on?
I am currently working on deepening my understanding of Kubernetes on how to optimize and manage large-scale clusters for HPC workloads
What's your go-to productivity trick?
Make use of ASAN to manage my tasks list
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?
Not being afraid to ask for help and having an open mind and willingness to learn.
What was your first job?
I worked at Burger King.
What's the worst job you've ever had, and what did you learn from it?
I worked at Burger King. I learned customer service, patience, and teamwork – and how to make the best burger.
What was your favorite job you've ever had and why?
My favorite job was working as Linux Systems Administrator with College of Science – Purdue. I get to work on all kinds of research projects, each with its own challenges. I've learned a lot from great professors, an awesome boss, and supportive coworkers along the way.
What's a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it?
What led you to this career?
I enjoy problem-solving and have a deep curiosity about computing and its possibilities.
What are you currently excited about in your job?
What's the biggest misconception people have about your position?
How long have you been on the Anvil team/at RCAC?
Education, publications, engagement (groups part of), etc...
Why did you decide to become a mentor for the REU program?
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What do you hope the REU gets out of the program?
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How can this help them in their college career?
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How can this help them in their professional career?
What value do you get from being a mentor for the REU program?
What will your REU students be working on specifically?