#new staff

3 Questions with Liang Zhang

~ ESnetComms

Liang comes to us from Illinois, where he worked at Fermilab for eight years as computer researcher before joining ESnet. His research interests lie in network protocols, resource management, and high performance software architectures. His previous experience involves designing and developing data movement tools including MDTM and BigData Express. He also developed network management applications using Software Defined Networking (SDN).

A photo of Liang Zhang
Liang Zhang

What brought you to ESnet?

I got to know ESnet during my years with Fermilab when I participated in collaboration projects between ESnet and Fermilab. In my impression, ESnet plays a pioneering  role in research and development in networking and is ahead of most of the field when it comes to using new technology. I’m excited to start a new adventure at ESnet and have fun working with other talented researchers and engineers to contribute important knowledge and findings to this community.

What is the most exciting thing going on in your field right now?

While it isn’t directly related to my work at ESnet, I’ve been intrigued by the revolution known as Web3 that’s rising on the horizon. I think it will change the way people deal with the Internet. I am eager to explore how Web3 might impact the infrastructure and applications.

What book would you recommend?

The Three-body Problem. It is a science fiction novel written by a Chinese writer Cixin Liu. It discusses history, physics, the universe, and human nature.. I also enjoy watching Youtube videos about Chinese and European history, technology, and crazy inventions. 

Three questions with a new staff member! Please meet Rémy Doucet

~ Andrew Wiedlea

Rémy comes to us from ByteDance/TikTok where they worked as a Systems Engineer responsible for large-scale server allocation and bare-metal OS deployment.  They have worked as a systems engineer for five years, with experience both in the Telecom industry and for large social media companies.  Rémy began their career as a software developer in Python but shifted when they realized a passion for infrastructure and systems.  

Rémy Doucet

What brought you to ESnet?

I have a long history of activism and also worked in the nonprofit sector prior to my engineering career. I became dissatisfied working only for social media giants and began seeking a career that married my passion for technology with my drive to make a positive impact on the world. Climate change is the most pressing issue humans are facing today, so I am excited to begin contributing to a place that not only has an impressive legacy of scientific discovery, but is continuing to make strides in areas such as renewable and clean energy.

What is the most exciting thing going on in your field right now?

Although it is not exactly under my purview, I have always been fascinated by artificial intelligence. Not only will it continue to transform our society in unimaginable ways, but I am also curious to see how it will come to be used for systems administration tasks such as monitoring and deployment. Currently, these processes are still largely human and automation driven but I think we will start to see more AI incorporated into the process in the future. For my personal interests, I enjoy experiencing art or music created by AI.

What book would you recommend?

Simulacra and Simulation by Jean Baudrillard. It is a philosophical treatise that I think will become increasingly relevant in our society.