Nicole Marsaglia is a computer scientist at LLNL, where she works on Ascent, an in-situ library that allows scientists to analyze and visualize simulation data as it is generated. Marsaglia joined LLNL in March 2022, drawn by the opportunity to apply her technical interests and work with a collaborative, enthusiastic team.
“What I like most is the people. The team consists of some of the nicest people I’ve worked with, and they all really love their job,” she said.
Originally from Oregon, Marsaglia earned a bachelor’s degree in math from the University of Oregon before shifting to computer science, completing a post-baccalaureate year and then a Ph.D. She credits her mentor, Hank Childs, for introducing her to the visualization community and to Ascent, which she used in her dissertation research. A job opening at Livermore allowed her to continue working with the software and the people with whom she enjoyed collaborating.
At the Lab, Marsaglia helps domain scientists visualize complex simulation data, often using Conduit Blueprint, a user-friendly data packaging library. She values the interdisciplinary nature of her work and the feedback she receives from users.
“I kind of get to be a part of everything and people will explain to me their work,” she said.
Marsaglia’s work centers on helping scientists visualize and analyze data in real time as simulations run, making complex scientific data more accessible and understandable.
“At the end of the day, it’s making pictures and looking at something cool,” she said.
Marsaglia is also part of LLNL’s SoftWare Improvement Networking Group (SWING). SWING promotes improvements in software development by hosting talks, training sessions and forums that explore best practices and encourage collaboration. As a committee member, she helps guide these efforts by organizing events, fostering community engagement and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
Marsaglia credits her upbringing for enabling her career aspirations. She grew up with supportive parents and an older brother whom she considers her best friend.
“I never felt, at least from my parents, that there was nothing I couldn’t accomplish,” Marsaglia said, recalling how her parents encouraged her to freely pursue her interests.
Her mother’s career as a flight attendant allowed the family to travel extensively, broadening Marsaglia’s perspective. “I got to travel the world until I was 26 and interact with other cultures,” she said. “I think that made me a better person.”
Her father, a computer science professor, was also her soccer coach. “He was the reason I probably did it for so long,” Marsaglia said. “They wouldn’t let me quit when I wanted to. I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”
At LLNL, Marsaglia has participated in networking groups and enjoys STEM outreach. She also volunteers at weightlifting meets and remains active in conference work, including reviewing applications for supercomputing student volunteers.
Reflecting on her journey, Marsaglia emphasizes the importance of mentorship and community. “I’m happy doing anything if I like the people I work with,” she said. “That would be my advice: find a group of good colleagues and a good mentor.”
—Abel Morelos