In this installment of CCC’s Weekly Computing News, we are looking deeper into the SkAI research center led by Northwestern University. This comes after a five-year, $20 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Simons Foundation, creating more opportunities to advance research and exploration of the universe. SkAI launched to further explore the universe Have you ever wondered what it would take to discover the undiscoverable mysteries of the universe? Exploring the unknown requires overcoming huge challenges in analyzing huge datasets composed of different data types, structures or sources, while designing astronomical tools and surveys to measure the data.  That’s where SkAI comes in. The research center […]

I am thrilled to share that I am reporting from Heidelberg, Germany this week where I am attending the 11th Heidelberg Laureate Forum as a member of the press. The forum brings together young researchers across mathematics and computing disciplines, and distinguished Laureates that have won significant awards in the fields, to network and learn from one another. The program consists of panels, workshops, lightning discussions, poster sessions, networking opportunities, and more in the beautiful old town of Heidelberg. As a member of the press, I have the opportunity to represent CCC in interviews with many of the incredible laureates, and listen in on groundbreaking lectures and discussions about pressing […]

The National Science Data Fabric (NSDF) is an pilot project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), designed to enhance data access and management for research institutions around the country and globally. The project is being lead by Valerio Pascucci (University of Utah), Michela Taufer (University of Tennessee, Knoxville), Alex Szalay (Johns Hopkins University), John Allison (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), and Frank Wuerthwein (San Diego Supercomputer Center) and it aims to create a connected framework that provides the integration, security, and sharing of many datasets. CCC spoke with Taufer about her interest in the project and its benefits. What interested you about this project? The National Science Data Fabric […]

In this installment of CCC’s Weekly Computing News, we are sharing the exciting launch of two AI Institutes funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Simon Foundation to understand the cosmos. NSF and Simons Foundation launch 2 AI Institutes to help astronomers understand the cosmos NSF and the Simons Foundation are funding two new National Artificial Intelligence Research Institutes focused on astronomical sciences, each receiving $20 million over five years. These institutes aim to advance AI’s capabilities to analyze large amounts of astronomical data generated by large-scale projects like the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. NSF-Simons AI Institute for Cosmic Origins (CosmicAI): Led by The University of Texas at […]

The Computing Community Consortium (CCC) will be hosting the Grand Challenges for the Convergence of Computational and Citizen Science Research workshop in-person from April 8 – 9, 2025 and virtual discussions. Their goal is to develop a research agenda on how humans and machines may team up to solve some of the most pressing scientific problems through citizen science, crowdsourcing, and community-engaged science.  Organizers Lea Shanley (International Computer Science Institute, Berkeley, CA), Corey Jackson (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Kevin Crowston (Syracuse University) and Saiph Savage (Northeastern University) are here to share the details. What are you most excited for at the in-person workshop? Lea: The idea for this workshop formed during […]

In this installment of CCC’s Weekly Computing News, we are sharing a $14 million funded effort toward innovative research in bioengineering. NSF invests $14M in bioengineered systems and ethical biocomputing research The National Science Foundation (NSF) is investing $14 million into seven innovative research projects through its Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI) program. This initiative is focused on advancing organoid intelligence, a multidisciplinary field that uses tiny, 3D-engineered tissues to replicate the functions of natural organs. By investing $2 million in each project, NSF aims to explore and develop novel biological computing systems that could significantly enhance the capabilities of artificial intelligence and address its current limitations. Organoid […]