Research Communication from VPDoR for Chairs and Directors - September 27, 2024

Dear Chairs and Directors,

Welcome to the autumn quarter. I had the pleasure of meeting many of our recent faculty hires at the New Faculty Orientation a few weeks ago. What an inspiring group!

This academic year, I will continue to use this chair's letter to help you and your colleagues stay updated on research matters across campus. This month, I am sharing updates on the following topics:

  • Marlowe - Stanford’s new GPU computing cluster
  • Faculty suggestions for C-Res 2024-25 topics
  • C-ShaRP Voucher Program for new faculty
  • nano@stanford Open House - October 9

Introducing Marlowe

Later this fall, “Marlowe,” a 248 GPU computing cluster, will come online and be available to the Stanford research community for special, large-scale computing tasks. The equipment was received in July and configured over the summer. The next step is to begin Beta testing. Details of governance, user eligibility, and access application processes are currently being worked out by a committee chaired by Professors Emmanuel Candes and Curt Langlotz, and will soon be shared widely.

Planning for this initiative has been led by Stanford Data Science, with support from VPDoR and Stanford Research Computing, which will host the cluster. Marlowe represents a substantial investment by the President and Provost to help ensure Stanford remains at the forefront of AI and data science research.

Share Your Input with the Academic Council Committee on Research (C-Res)

The Committee on Research (“C-Res”) is one of the Standing Committees of the Academic Council. C-Res is responsible for formulating policy on research, including policy governing the procedures for reviewing and approving externally sponsored projects, proposals, and awards. Information about its charge is here.

This year’s C-Res Chair, Associate Professor Meagan Mauter, is seeking faculty input on potential topics for discussion by the committee. Faculty are invited to share their ideas and suggestions in this questionnaire. Your input will help the committee prioritize the 2024-25 agenda.

C-ShaRP Voucher Program for New Faculty Now Accepting Proposals

A call for proposals is now open for new faculty interested in exploring our shared research facilities. The C-ShaRP Voucher Program provides awards of up to $10,000 to allow new faculty to access shared scientific equipment relevant to their research. Last year, C-ShARP awarded grants to 20 researchers collaborating with 16 shared research facilities.

The deadline for submitting proposals is Oct. 14, 2024, and more information about how to apply is available here. If you have questions about the application process, please contact Director of Shared Instrumentation Facilities Claudius Mundoma at cmundoma@stanford.edu.

nano@stanford Open House on October 9

This open house will showcase the innovative research conducted at Stanford nano facilities and allow attendees to network and share ideas. In addition, C-ShaRP is hosting a lightning talk series to showcase our nanotechnology research on campus. Visit the nano@stanford website for the program and schedule.

The event will be held on October 9 between noon and 6:00 pm at the Jen-Hsun Huang Engineering Center. It is free and open to everyone. Please encourage your interested faculty, postdocs, students, and staff to attend.

Before signing off, I have some bittersweet news regarding our dear colleague Ruth Marinshaw, chief technology officer—research computing. Ruth will depart Stanford on November 1 to join Yale University in a similar role. Over the past 12 years, Ruth has led Stanford Research Computing with distinction, supporting researchers at every turn and taking our shared computing infrastructure through many positive changes. In a recent letter to the community, CIO Steve Gallagher and I shared our respect and admiration for Ruth’s service to the university. We are grateful to Nan McKenna, who has agreed to serve as interim while we search for Ruth’s successor. Curt Langlotz, senior associate vice provost in VPDoR, and Steve Gallagher will co-chair that search.

 

Please share relevant parts of this letter with your faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students—who may find the information and links helpful.

Stay safe and be well,

David

David Studdert

Vice Provost and Dean of Research