Winner. Scientist of the Year 2024

Naresh Kumar Gundla

Academic title, degree: Master's in Computer Science
Fields of science: Cloud Compute Infrastructure
Research interest: Distributed Systems, Infrastructure Software
Career Development: Senior
Organization: Amazon Web Services
Position: Software Development Engineer
City: Bellevue, Washington
Country: USA

Naresh Kumar Gundla is a highly accomplished Software Development Engineer at Amazon Web Services (AWS) with over a decade of expertise in distributed systems, data center infrastructure automation, and server performance benchmarking. With a passion for advancing cloud computing infrastructure, he has emerged as a leader in the field, pushing the boundaries of scalable and resilient systems.

Naresh's academic foundation is rooted in excellence. He holds a Master's degree in Computer Science with a specialization in Database and Knowledge Engineering from the University of Nebraska and a Bachelor of Engineering from Osmania University. These credentials laid the groundwork for his innovative approach to solving complex technical challenges.

At AWS, Naresh plays a pivotal role in designing and developing infrastructure software that seamlessly integrates hardware into cloud environments. His work ensures that customers can access a wide range of Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instances while supporting new instance types both in the cloud and on-premises through AWS Outposts.

Before joining Amazon, Naresh made significant strides at other leading tech companies. At Versa Networks, he implemented dynamic IP address allocation using open-source IPMAN, enhancing system scalability. During his tenure at Intel Corporation, Naresh led automation efforts for server performance analysis in big data and machine learning workflows, benchmarked Intel processor features, and collaborated with Oracle to make impactful changes to OpenJDK, influencing millions of devices worldwide. His contributions were instrumental in launching the first-generation Intel Xeon Scalable processors, earning him the coveted Division Recognition Award.

Beyond his professional contributions, Naresh is deeply engaged in academic and industry leadership. He serves on the IEEE Senior Member Review Panel, reviews papers for IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems, and evaluates innovations as a judge for cybersecurity, technology, and sustainability awards. His research interests encompass architecting resilient cloud infrastructure and developing NoSQL biological databases with ontologies, addressing critical challenges in data management and scalability.

Naresh Kumar Gundla’s accomplishments distinguish him as a visionary in cloud computing and distributed systems. His innovative contributions to cloud infrastructure and leadership in fostering technological advancements earned him the prestigious International Achievers Award. This recognition underscores his role in reshaping the cloud computing landscape.

His elevation to IEEE Senior Member status highlights his professional maturity and substantial contributions to the field. Furthermore, Naresh was honored as an Eminent Fellow Member (SEFM) by the Scholars Academic and Scientific Society, a testament to his role in bridging industry innovation and academic research.

Naresh has made remarkable strides in sustainability within the tech industry. His groundbreaking work on Nitro card reuse at AWS not only improved hardware efficiency but also aligned with AWS’s sustainability initiatives, ensuring a greener approach to server provisioning.

In the tech community, Naresh’s influence is far-reaching. His recognition as a Fellow at Hackathon Raptors reflects his dedication to fostering collaboration and innovation. Additionally, his contributions to evaluating companies' sustainability goals as a judge emphasize his commitment to driving responsible technological practices.

These achievements, combined with his profound technical expertise and dedication to advancing cloud computing, justify Naresh’s selection as the Scientist of the Year. His work stands out for its unique focus on integrating hardware into scalable, resilient cloud environments and tackling global challenges in data management and sustainability.