Supercomputing Challenge founder wins Community Relations Medal

Laboratory retiree David Kratzer is the winner of the Laboratory’s 2025 Community Relations Medal, which recognizes active Laboratory employees or retirees who have made significant contributions to the Lab's goal of excellence in community relations.

Kratzer has been instrumental in the creation and success of the New Mexico Supercomputing Challenge since its inception in 1991.

Over 12,000 school-age students have participated in the program in which teams and individuals spend the school year learning computer programming and modeling skills with the help of mentors and then present their work at the end-of-year expo.

The students learn computer skills, teamwork and perseverance, and explore the scientific process through their own projects. The Supercomputing Challenge also provides insight into life at the Laboratory for the students, parents and teachers involved each year. Many alumni of the program have gone on to STEM careers, including at the Laboratory.

"Considering the challenge has had participants who now range from age 12 to 52, there are multiple generations of New Mexicans that better understand and appreciate LANL due to these experiences," says Mark Petersen, a researcher in the Laboratory’s Computational Physics and Methods group who nominated Kratzer for the award.