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。该合同将导致收购加州大学默塞德分校(UCM)名为Pinnacles的共享高性能计算(HPC)集群。UCM是美国21世纪第一所新的研究密集型大学，该项目在科学计算方面日益强大的基础上，将部署一个新的最先进的HPC，以实现令人兴奋的尖端科学，并促进高级研究培训，以促进科学的进步。UCM是一家西班牙裔服务机构，也是一个独特的定位，可以利用新的HPC为来自代表不足的群体的学生提供机会和培训机会。顶峰将作为三个科学研究支柱的高影响力工作的中心：(1)复杂系统的建模和模拟；(2)数据使能的科学；(3)数值优化。这一共享的HPC集群将被研究人员用来推动一系列广泛的传统学科的发展。事实上，参与该项目的高级人员跨越了UCM的所有三个学术学院，工作范围从量子化学到认知科学。尖峰集群以HPC为中心，作为协作孵化器，将通过支持在各自研究领域工作的研究人员并加强跨学科合作来促进知识发现，以加强在传统学科边界上的进步。除了令人兴奋的广阔的科学机会外，尖峰学院还将支持早期职业研究人员，并为多样化和服务不足的学生群体提供提前学习和研究经验的机会。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

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.