Research is a strong driving force behind technology and it will be the focus of the University of New Mexico’s annual Cyberinfrastructure Day as scientists from across the state gather on Friday, April 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Ballrooms A&B at the Student Union Building.

This year’s theme, “Enabling Data-Driven Scholarship,” highlights the intersection of computing, data, and knowledge, with emphasis on non-traditional and emerging cyberinfrastructure applications in fields such as the social sciences, life sciences and humanities.  Event organizers have invited topics for group and panel discussions by researchers to be sent to kvwaseta@unm.edu for inclusion in the discussion.

Interested participants can register the day of the event at 8:30 a.m. in SUB Ballroom A.

The event is part of a technology outreach program co-sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Center for Advanced Research Computing (CARC) and the Office of the UNM CIO to foster active communication among faculty, researchers, technologists, as well as students to promote collaborative working relationships and collective problem solving.

Throughout the year, events targeting specific audiences internal to UNM, and reaching out to other higher education institutions in the state on diverse technology topics. Some of this year’s events cover case studies of data-driven scholarship in the social sciences, humanities and natural sciences; computing strategies with a hands-on workshop; and date-over-the-network and data sets with expert consultations on accessing and leveraging the vast network of data resources around the globe.

“Our partnerships across UNM to reach out to the student, research and administrative communities throughout the state and the region strengthen UNM’s profile as the flagship institution,” said Gil Gonzales, UNM CIO.

Additionally, Eli Dart, Energy Sciences Network (EsNet), will give the luncheon keynote on Research Networks. A reception will also be held to showcase students’ work from 5 to 6 p.m.

“Working together to effectively develop and use cyberinfrastructure in the State of New Mexico gives us an advantage in attracting excellent scholars and winning external research funding,” Deputy Chief Information Officer Moira Gerety said. “Cyberinfrastructure service and data providers are available throughout the day to consult with researchers and answer questions, so come prepared to discuss the challenges you have with data-driven research.”

Tech Days reaches out to UNM departmental IT and administrative staff using common IT good services for an information exchange, while Security Days focuses on students each semester with computer, mobile device and copyright security, and privacy best practices.  Cyberinfrastructure Day draws faculty and researchers from UNM, as well as researchers from across New Mexico.

“CI Day provides an exciting opportunity for faculty, researchers, students and staff to hear about the latest technical advances in high-end computing, networking and visualization in support of their research at the University,” said Susan Atlas, research associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and director, Center for Advanced Research Computing (CARC).

In conjunction with CI Day and the theme of data and research, a video titled, UNM Center for Advanced Research Computing Big Data to Knowledge, was developed by CARC for the 2013 International Supercomputing Conference and Technical Exhibition in Denver, Colorado, in November of 2013 (SC13) This video highlights nine multi-disciplinary researchers from UNM, and the challenges and complexities involved in the process of translating very large datasets into new discoveries and understanding.

In a recent proposal submitted to the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Office of Cyberinfrastructure, 14 researchers from eight UNM departments collaborated to serve as “early adopters” for a dedicated, 10 Gbps high-speed research network and ‘Science DMZ’ connecting their laboratories with CARC, a new UNM Research Network Core, and Internet2 Data transfer between large data storage facilities including: data sharing between researchers at other universities or national laboratories; data synchronization; development and exchange of large simulation databases, data visualization, and low-latency requirements identified as key technology drivers for developing and advancing research network technology.

Research areas include pure and applied mathematics, fluid dynamics, high performance computing, Internet measurement and characterization, materials physics, neuroscience, genomics, earth and environmental sciences, weather and climate modeling, immunology, astronomy and ecology. Data archiving, retrieval and curation are other cyberinfrastructure components essential to supporting research.

Both CARC and the University Libraries support large research projects such as EPSCoR’s DataONE, a global NSF project, for which UNM is a Coordinating Node and storage service provider.

RELATED LINKS
UNM CIO Initiatives