MRI: Acquisition of Thorny Flat Next Generation Cluster for High-Performance Computing in West Virginia

该项目将使西弗吉尼亚大学（WVU），西弗吉尼亚州（WV）的旗舰赠地大学，拥有超过31，000名学生，获得一个名为Thorny Flat的高性能计算（HPC）集群。 该项目将利用该资源支持从宇宙学到神经科学的广泛研究工作，并将资源的利用扩展到非传统学科，如系统生态学和生物识别学。 此外，该项目的一个重要目标是在西弗吉尼亚州培育一批新的HPC用户，该地区迫切需要经济多样化。此外，该项目还计划利用HPC集群建立合作关系，以扩大西弗吉尼亚州的经济，并将其转变为专注于高水平技术领域，这是这一弱势地区的关键需求。具体而言，新的HPC集群将加速生物物理化学研究的研究项目，对药物输送和诊断成像产生影响;最先进的材料优化代码开发;和模拟未来LIGO重力波观测的双中子星星合并。 此外，该资源将促进阿巴拉契亚流域动力学，商业分析和大学新兴的定量神经科学计划的新努力，计划在2017年招聘6名新员工。 凭借在引力波天文学，STEM教育，水安全，区域健康差异和负责任的天然气利用方面建立的卓越研究中心，该大学正在投入新的资源来利用神经科学和网络安全方面的现有优势。Thorny Flat等高质量基础设施的可用性对于许多计算密集型工作的成功至关重要，这些工作由35名教师以及180名博士后，研究生和本科生领导。此外，该项目致力于使用HPC集群为大学和全州的研究社区提供培训和支持。 例如，来自不同学科的课程将利用集群作为重要的培训资源，该项目计划与为期一周的HPC夏季研究所整合，为来自全州的用户提供实践培训。 此外，该项目将扩大对HPC资源的需求，从不太传统的计算领域，以解决水安全，阿片类药物成瘾和医疗保健差异等关键大数据问题。与此同时，该项目将培养下一代HPC程序员，并通过7名女性教师导师使人才库多样化。 此外，基础设施的扩展和高素质HPC员工队伍的发展将促进大学与地区联邦实验室以及地区工业合作伙伴的合作。

This project will enable West Virginia University (WVU), the flagship Land Grant University for the state of West Virginia (WV) with over 31,000 students, to acquire a High Performance Computing (HPC) cluster called Thorny Flat. The project will use the resource to support a broad spectrum of research efforts from cosmology to neuroscience, as well as expand utilization of the resource to non-traditional disciplines like systems ecology and biometrics. In addition, an important goal of the project is to nurture a cohort of new HPC users across West Virginia, a region in acute need of economic diversification. Moreover, the project plans to use the HPC cluster to establish collaborations that will serve to expand and transition the WV economy toward a focus on the high-level technology sector, a critical need in this disadvantaged region.Specifically, the new HPC cluster will accelerate research projects in biophysical chemistry studies with implications for drug delivery and diagnostic imaging; state-of-the-art code development for materials optimization; and simulations of binary neutron star mergers for future LIGO gravity wave observations. As well, the resource will catalyze new efforts in Appalachian watershed dynamics, business analytics, and the university's burgeoning quantitative neuroscience program, with six new hires planned for 2017. With established Centers of Research Excellence in gravitational wave astronomy, STEM education, water security, regional health disparities, and responsible natural gas utilization, the university is devoting new resources to leverage existing strengths in neuroscience and cybersecurity. The availability of high quality infrastructure, such as Thorny Flat, will be essential to the success of many of these computationally intense efforts, led by 35 faculty in conjunction with 180 postdocs, graduate students, and undergrads.Moreover, the project is committed to using the HPC cluster for training and support for both the university and state-wide research communities. For example, courses from a diverse set of disciplines will utilize the cluster as a vital training resource, and the project plans to integrate with an annual week-long HPC Summer Institute providing hands-on training to users from across the state. Furthermore, the project will broaden demand for HPC resources from less traditionally computational areas to address critical big data issues in water security, opiate addiction, and health care disparities. In parallel, the project will be cultivating the next generation of HPC coders and diversifying the pool with 7 female faculty mentors. In addition, the expanded infrastructure and development of a well-qualified HPC workforce will promote additional university partnerships with regional federal labs, as well as with regional industrial partners.