MRI: Acquisition of Pinnacles -- Raising Research Computing to New Heights in California's Central Valley

科学计算在知识发现和科学进步中发挥着核心作用。该合同将促成收购位于加州大学默塞德（UCM）的名为Pinnacles的共享高性能计算（HPC）集群。UCM是21世纪世纪美国第一所新的研究密集型大学，该项目将在UCM科学计算不断增强的基础上，部署一个新的最先进的HPC，以实现令人兴奋的尖端科学，并促进先进的研究培训，从而促进科学的进步。UCM是一所西班牙裔服务机构，也是利用新HPC为代表性不足的群体提供访问和培训机会的唯一定位。Pinnacles将作为三大科学研究支柱的高影响力工作的核心：（1）复杂系统的建模和模拟;（2）数据支持的科学;（3）数值优化。这个共享的HPC集群将被研究人员用来推进广泛的传统学科。事实上，参与该项目的高级人员跨越了UCM的所有三个学术流派，工作范围从量子化学到认知科学。Pinnacles集群以HPC为中心，作为合作孵化器，将通过支持研究人员在各自的研究领域工作，促进知识发现，并加强跨学科合作，以加强传统学科的进步。除了令人兴奋的广泛的科学机会，尖峰将支持早期职业研究人员和先进的学习和研究经验的机会，为多样化和服务不足的学生群体。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过评估使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准的支持。

Scientific computing plays a central role in knowledge discovery and scientific advancement. This award will result in the acquisition of a shared high-performance computing (HPC) cluster named Pinnacles at the University of California, Merced (UCM). Building on an increasing strength in scientific computing at UCM, the nation’s first new research-intensive university of the 21st century, this project will deploy a new state-of-the-art HPC to enable exciting cutting-edge science and facilitate advanced research training that will promote the progress of science. UCM, an Hispanic Serving Institution, is also uniquely positioned to leverage the new HPC to provide access and training opportunities for students from underrepresented groups.Pinnacles will serve as a centerpiece for high-impact work in three scientific research pillars: (1) modeling and simulation of complex systems; (2) data enabled science; and (3) numerical optimization. This shared HPC cluster will be used by researchers to advance a broad array of conventional disciplines. Indeed, senior personnel involved in the project span all three of UCM’s academic schools, with work ranging from quantum chemistry to cognitive science. With a central focus on HPC and serving as a collaboration incubator, the Pinnacles cluster will facilitate knowledge discovery by supporting researchers working in their individual research areas and enhancing interdisciplinary collaborations to strengthen advancements at the boundaries of traditional disciplines. In addition to exciting broad scientific opportunities, Pinnacles will support early career researchers and advance learning and research experience opportunities for a diverse and underserved student population.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.