$6.5M boost for cyberinfrastructure capacity, training in the Pacific

A University of Hawaiʻi project to enhance cyberinfrastructure adoption, capacity and training in the Pacific region has earned a five-year, $6.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

Cyberinfrastructure refers to the integrated computing systems, data storage and management facilities, advanced instruments, visualization environments and the people who operate and manage them. They are all linked together by software and high-performance networks to improve research productivity and enable breakthroughs not otherwise possible.

Led by the UH System, the project will offer services, education and research programs to engage faculty, researchers and students in advanced cyberinfrastructure.

“This cyberinfrastructure initiative is crucial for advancing our region’s technological capabilities and ensuring we remain competitive in the global digital landscape,” said Sean Cleveland, UH System interim director of cyberinfrastructure and project principal investigator. “By investing in local talent and encouraging collaboration among institutions, we are not only advancing scientific research and education but also creating a foundation for innovations that will benefit our workforce and communities.”

The project will support collaborative research across disciplines by providing access to computational resources, data repositories and communication networks that will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of scientific and engineering research, scholarship and education. Cyberinfrastructure is the backbone of modern research and innovation, enabling large-scale data analysis, simulations, and collaborative work in various fields, which could potentially lead to the development of better weather predictions, innovative tech jobs and improved healthcare.

This effort is expected to create pathways for increased adoption and capacity of cyberinfrastructure, supporting long-term regional research growth.

“Building human capacity to support advanced cyberinfrastructure is the critical catalyst to sustaining long-term growth in leading edge computational and data centered research throughout the Pacific region,” said UH Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Garret Yoshimi. “Collaboration among our partners will effectively extend the beneficial impacts throughout our research communities.”

The project will strengthen regional research capabilities by hiring cyberinfrastructure professionals at partner institutions that will work collaboratively to support cyberinfrastructure needs in the region. The project aims to train and embed more than 200 undergraduates and 15 graduate students that will apply advanced cyberinfrastructure technologies and methods to cutting edge research projects.

The initiative will also introduce more than 100 workshops along with new curriculum modules to increase cyberinfrastructure awareness and skills across numerous research domains. This comprehensive approach aims to cultivate a skilled workforce addressing Pacific regional needs and driving innovation in fields such as life sciences, data science, environmental science and engineering.

Project leaders anticipate that the model of shared cyberinfrastructure expertise, leading practices and strategies developed will be shared with other communities and institutions nationwide, extending the impact beyond the Pacific region.

Also involved in the project are experts and co-principal investigators Helen Turner from Chaminade University of Honolulu, Vincent Dela Cruz from University of Guam and Maytal Dahan and Joe Stubbs from the Texas Advanced Computing Center.