The Hertz Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing American scientific and technological leadership, today announced the election of Hertz Fellow Kevin Bowers to its board of directors.
Bowers is chief science officer and head of research and development at Jump Trading, a proprietary global trading firm specializing in algorithmic and high-frequency trading strategies. Bowers earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Purdue University. He credits his Hertz Fellowship with helping him earn his Master of Science and Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computer science from University of California, Berkeley.
Pursuing his passion for high-performance computing, Bowers’ career that has taken him from Intel to Bell Labs, Los Alamos National Laboratory and D.E. Shaw Research, and he has amassed expertise in a range of fields, including semiconductors, plasma physics and machine learning. Overlapping with his work at Shaw and Jump, Bowers served as a guest scientist at Los Alamos, whose Bradbury Science Museum even featured an exhibit showcasing some of his work.
“From national security to finance, Kevin’s work has been foundational,” said Stephen Fantone, chair of the Hertz Foundation Board of Directors. “We’re thrilled that he’s able to share his wisdom and expertise with us as we work to grow and strengthen the Hertz Community.”
Bowers shares the foundation’s commitment to supporting talent in science and technology. He also recognizes the importance of community and mentorship, aspects of the Hertz Fellowship that were still undeveloped when he was starting his career.
“With decades of experience across public and private sectors, Kevin is highly regarded as a mentor by our early-career fellows,” said Wendy Connors, president of the Hertz Foundation. “His perspective and insights will be of great value to the foundation as we look to expand our reach and impact.”
Bowers will begin his term this month, joining two other new board members: Sri Kosaraju, former chief executive officer, Inscripta; and Hertz Fellow Jordan Chetty, software engineer, Citadel, as an early-career member.
Interview with Kevin Bowers
We sat down with Bowers to learn more about his work and what he hopes to contribute to the organization.
What specifically are you working on right now that’s most exciting to you?
Bowers: I love working at the intersection of high-performance computing and finance as chief scientist at Jump Trading. I spent decades behind closed doors, conducting proprietary research in academia, national labs and private labs, so it’s exciting to finally share my work publicly. And that work is just as relevant today, and finding more and more application, from global markets to international politics. It’s surreal to see code snippets I wrote years ago reshaping today’s financial world.
What inspires you to contribute your valuable time to the Hertz Foundation?
Bowers: At this stage of my career, I want to give back — and I want my contributions to matter. My work in finance has taught me the value of time, the importance of leverage and the importance of alignment. I know firsthand that the Hertz Foundation is a great way to leverage my time, and that we are aligned on the meaningful support of science and technology. In fact, I may not have finished grad school without them.
What unique insights or perspectives do you bring to the board?
Bowers: In addition to my breadth of career experience, I can offer insights into corporate governance, markets, management and recruiting. I’ve worked with all kinds of people, too, and I know how to bridge between those worlds. I look forward to applying “Hertzian” reasoning — rigor, creativity and problem-solving — to institutional contexts, helping guide strategy and decisions with both technical depth and organizational perspective.
Why is the Hertz Foundation important for the future of science and technology?
Bowers: While the mission has evolved over the decades to encompass much more than national security, Hertz Fellows have always been committed to research and technology that benefits people. The Hertz moral commitment came to mind after 9/11, when I chose to go work at Los Alamos. But, more broadly, I think that commitment is a selection tool — selecting for a certain type of person, who believes service is important.
What advice would you give to the newest class of Hertz Fellows?
Bowers: You’re approaching a pivotal moment in your career — emerging from academia, where your path may have been seemingly logical, obvious, rigid and rules-based, into the rest of the world, which is more “choose your own adventure” and filled with people who view the world through the lens of negotiation. As you learn to lead, create and collaborate with other highly intelligent people outside the sciences, stay open, curious and adaptable — and you’ll be even more effective.
About the Hertz Foundation
The Hertz Foundation is the nation’s preeminent nonprofit organization committed to advancing American scientific and technological leadership. For more than 60 years, it has stood as an unwavering pillar of independent support through the renowned Hertz Fellowship, cultivating a multidisciplinary network of innovators whose work has positively impacted millions of lives. Learn more at hertzfoundation.org.