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Jessica Cotturone

Headshot of Jessica Cotturone
Program Year:
1
University:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Field of Study:
Computer Science
Advisor:
William Moses
Degree(s):
B.A. Computer Science, B.A. Applied Mathematics, and B.A. Music, Augustana College, 2025

Summary of Research

My research focuses on enabling optimizations for high-performance scientific computing applications through the use of compiler technology. Specifically, I am interested in developing general-purpose computational tools that automate domain-specific optimizations, in order to help scientists write efficient code in familiar languages without needing deep compiler expertise. The goal of my work is to free researchers in the computational sciences to focus on high-level scientific inquiry such as modeling, equation development, and simulation while still benefiting from advanced optimizations.

Publications

Cotturone, Jessica, Michael Zevin, and Sylvia Biscoveanu. "Characterizing Compact-object Binaries in the Lower Mass Gap with Gravitational Waves." The Astrophysical Journal 998.2 (2026): 272.

Cotturone, Jessica. "Data Sonification: The Art of Exploring Space Through Sound" (2025). Music: Student Scholarship & Creative Works.
https://digitalcommons.augustana.edu/muscstudent/10

Awards

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Honorable Mention, 2026

Thomas M. Siebel Fellowship, 2026 (UIUC)

Chambliss Astronomy Achievement Student Award, 2025 (American Astronomical Society)

Harry Nelson Award for Excellence and Achievement in Applied Mathematics, 2025 (Augustana College)

Senior Honors Award, 2025 (Augustana College)

Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award, 2024

Dean's List, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 (Augustana College)