Establishment of Research IT Function |
 Brian Macherone Director of Research IT |
February 2004
he University's commitment to growth in the research enterprise requires that the research infrastructure offer commensurate capability and support. During the last several months, I have been in discussion with Interim VP for Research Jeryl Mumpower, CAS Dean Joan Wick-Pelletier and many others about how ITS could strengthen its core services on behalf of research. I'm pleased to announce some recent developments that are intended to meet that goal.
A Research IT function has been established within the Office of the CIO and as a new unit of ITS. The mission of this group is to develop core services in support of research, including high-performance computing. Brian Macherone, currently Director of CAS Computing, will assume the position of Director of Research IT, reporting to me with dotted-line reporting to the Interim VP Mumpower. He will begin this role on a half-time basis effective February 12, 2004, transitioning to full-time in the months ahead. Two technical support positions will be recruited also.
As you can imagine, the Research group will need to work closely with each of the other ITS units, and with school — and departmental-based research IT staff, to fulfill its mission. I ask all of you to welcome Brian to ITS and to give your support to this new unit.
With respect to high-performance computing, a new cluster (IBM p655) has been acquired and installed in CS-5. This acquisition includes our commitment to participate in the Linux on p Series Pilot program, one of only five universities to do so. In addition, we have partnered with Apple Computer to acquire a cluster to support Bio-informatics research.
The focus of the Research group during its start-up period will be supporting researchers in Life Sciences and a limited number of other funded projects. However, the long-term goal is support for research across all schools and colleges. Also, the group's focus is not solely on high-performance computing. Start-up activities will include an assessment of research IT needs. It is also a goal to provide additional consultation to faculty in the grant development process.
For your information, Helen Strother will take on additional responsibilities in CAS Computing during this transition period. The full complement of CAS staffing will be maintained and actually increased by one as the Dean has authorized a new technical support position.
Taken together, these developments signal the campus's commitment to supporting cutting-edge research. It represents significant progress is meeting ITS's Strategic Goal #3 of increasing support for research as well.
Thanks to those of you who have already contributed to this effort.
Additional information will be available in the coming weeks on the Office of Research and ITS web sites.
Christine E. Haile
Chief Information Officer
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