With the help of a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, three Tennessee universities are teaming up to advance collaborative computing research in Middle Tennessee.
Using the $183,334 grant, researchers from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and Tennessee Technological University (TTU) are joining forces to create the Middle Tennessee Cyberinfrastructure Alignment Consortium.
Using each university’s unique expertise in computer and cyber systems, the consortium will combine those strengths in joint projects. By taking advantage of MTSU’s strong agricultural-leaning research, for example, and UTC’s strengths in computational science, the groups can learn from each other and increase their abilities, explained Anthony Skjellum, director of the SimCenter at UTC.
“Our goal is nothing less than a future high-performance network that leverages and connects people, computing, big data and opportunities for collaboration and workforce development in Middle Tennessee,” he said.
Skjellum added that pooling information, cyber resources and expertise among collaborative groups will enhance personnel at each campus. The consortium also plans to improve regional workforce development and implement a regional plan for recruitment, engagement and retention of students from underrepresented groups such as minorities and women.
“We see as a hallmark our ability to grow the diversity and inclusiveness in computing—broadening participation of women and underrepresented groups,” Skjellum said.
