Award Title: CC* Planning: Fostering Data Driven STEM Research and Education Through Cyberinfrastructure at Illinois State University
Description:
In this CC* planning project at Illinois State University (ISU), we have established a robust partnership between IT and faculty and identified key science drivers across various disciplines, along with their specific network needs. We have also pinpointed network issues that are affecting, or likely to affect, the productivity of these drivers.
- Addressing these challenges, we adopted a systematic approach named Analysis-Architecture-Design, rather than an ad hoc method, to develop a logical, reproducible, and defensible research cyberinfrastructure. This infrastructure, termed the Scalable and Polymorphic Research Infrastructure (SPRI), is designed to meet the diverse and dynamic needs of research and education. SPRI comprises three modular components: the Science DMZ (SDMZ) for high-throughput inter-campus networking, the Campus Research Infrastructure (CRI) for a scalable and dynamic intra-campus network, and the Open Programmable Network Platform (OPNP) to foster research innovation.
- The modular design principle of SPRI ensures that each component meets its unique requirements while enhancing the overall system performance. This initiative is more than just a network development; it’s a vision for the future of data-intensive research at ISU.
- The project has significantly impacted the STEM community at ISU, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and addressing the unique challenges faced by Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) like ISU. These challenges include limited resources, diverse research agendas, and a strong focus on education and community engagement. By aligning CyberInfrastructure (CI) planning with the broad spectrum of research and educational needs, we are integrating our strategic plan to position ISU as a leader in undergraduate education. Furthermore, the project’s success extends beyond ISU. Through various dissemination channels like workshops and websites, we are sharing our insights and models with local communities, regional partners, and national institutions, such as those in the Intercollegiate Biomathematics Alliance led by ISU. This project stands as a model CI blueprint, offering a viable solution for PUIs and aiming to enrich the academic experience for underrepresented students across scientific domains.
Link: Final Project Report