Lucian Popescu
I +40773388933
# [email protected]
Dear Members of the PhD Selection Committee June 23, 2024
I am writing to express my interest in pursuing a PhD in compilers at Instituto Superior Técnico,
utilizing the grant provided by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. My enthusiasm springs from
a deep-rooted passion and proficiency in compiler theory, computer architectures, and performance
optimizations. I have demonstrated expertise in advanced compiler technologies such as LLVM,
GCC, and Alive2, complemented by hands-on experience with cutting-edge hardware platforms from
industry leaders including Intel, ARM, and AMD. In this PhD endeavor, I aim to bridge the gap
between highly performant programming languages like C/C++ and memory-safe languages such as
Rust, amalgamating the best attributes of both paradigms.
The realm of programming languages and optimization techniques has fascinated me from my earliest
encounters. I vividly recall my high school programming course, where my instructor illustrated, both
theoretically and practically, how diverse programming approaches could significantly impact program
performance. This ignited my trajectory in computer science, culminating in a BSc. in Computer
Science and Information Technology from Polytechnic University of Bucharest, followed by enrollment
in an MSc program. During my MSc studies, under the guidance of Prof. Nuno P. Lopes and Prof.
Razvan Deaconescu, I embarked on research exploring the performance impact of undefined behavior
optimizations in C/C++. This project stands as a pinnacle achievement, involving the orchestration
of experiments leveraging state-of-the-art compiler technologies and cutting-edge hardware platforms.
Engagement in conferences like EuroLLVM23 broadened my horizons and reinforced my aspiration
for international research endeavors. Witnessing the challenges individuals encounter with compilers
fueled my ambition to delve deeper into methodologies of code transformations and optimizations.
I firmly believe that a PhD focused on compilers holds immense potential for innovation, with
prospective contributions benefiting the broader research community.
In pursuit of advancing within this captivating domain, my PhD goal is to devise efficient and precise
methodologies aimed at eradicating memory safety bugs without compromising the performance of
original applications. Memory safety bugs constitute a critical category of software vulnerabilities,
representing 70industry giants like Microsoft and Google. Mitigating the costs associated with such
bugs while preserving optimal performance is paramount, especially in light of emphasized importance
by both the EU and the US government.
My motivation to pursue a PhD at Instituto Superior Técnico stems from the esteemed compiler group
led by Prof. Nuno P. Lopes. Noteworthy contributions such as ”Torchy: A Tracing JIT Compiler for
PyTorch” and ”Alive2: Bounded Translation Validation for LLVM” exemplify the group’s pioneering
work and international recognition, rendering it an ideal environment for advancing my research
interests in compiler technology. Joining this dynamic group presents an exhilarating opportunity to
contribute meaningfully to the forefront of compiler research, particularly in the realm of reducing
memory safety bugs.
Furthermore, the PhD degree is essential for my career progression. I have already made significant
career strides while working for multinational companies such as Keysight, Harman, and Lenovo,
progressing from intern positions to regular software engineer roles. It took me merely two to three
years to establish my proficiency and credibility among colleagues, demonstrating my aptitude for
excelling in a highly competitive and intricate business environment. My future career trajectory
hinges on educational advancement, particularly in the domain of software engineering focused on
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compilers, which necessitates a profound understanding of theoretical and practical optimization
techniques.
In addition to academic pursuits, I have steadily developed personal communication and presentation
skills, essential for a research-oriented career. Participation in local and European conferences focusing
on systems software and compilers has strengthened my presentation and leadership abilities. Notably,
my involvement in Hack-A-Paper, a paper reading group at Polytechnic University of Bucharest,
provided ample opportunities to present historical and influential papers in computer science to a
diverse audience of students and professors.
I have elected to submit my Bachelor’s diploma project as a representative document, encapsulating
my diligent scientific endeavors in software porting, a research area to be explored further during the
forthcoming PhD project.
In conclusion, though I am still in the nascent stage of my career journey, I have made substantial
progress. My ambition is to enroll at Instituto Superior Técnico to address the critical issue of memory
safety bugs while preserving application performance. Concurrently, I aspire to acquire the requisite
skills for a career in compiler development and to introduce innovations to this domain. My academic
achievements, coupled with my communication and leadership proficiencies, underscore my readiness
to undertake this program.
Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Lucian Popescu
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