The PACE team was buzzing with excitement at PEARC25 in Columbus this July. PACE’s team members were eager to contribute to this year’s event – from publishing groundbreaking research, leading critical discussions, and acting as reviewers for posters and papers.
Research That Matters
The PACE team didn’t just show up to PEARC, they brought impressive insights with three publications aimed at advancing research computing as a whole.
Revolutionary Professional Development: Dr. Michael D. Weiner teamed up with research computing professionals nationwide to create a new pillar for developing and advancing the skills of research computing teams: “A Collaborative Catalog for Research Computing and Data Professional Development.” This work addresses important gaps in workforce development and is expected to help inform the practices of many computing-focused entities.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workflow Game-Changer: This work directly benefitted Georgia Tech students, faculty, and research staff by helping jumpstart AI-focused research locally. Dr. Fang (Cherry) Liu, Ronald Rahaman, Dr. Daniel T. Bartilson, Dr. Rachel L. Lombardi, Jeffrey N. Valdez, and Anisha Tripathi tackled one of the biggest challenges facing the field right now: making Open OnDemand work seamlessly with AI workflows to decrease access barriers for researchers newer to AI workflows. With AI posed to become increasingly important to our daily lives, this research couldn’t have come at a better time and raised a great deal of community interest.
An AI Facilitation Guide for the Research Facilitation Community: Jeffrey N. Valdez helped create what might be the one of the most practical resources to emerge from PEARC this year. The “AI Project Facilitation Guidance for Research Computing and Data Professionals” provides a roadmap for helping researchers navigate the complex ecosystem of AI projects, such as those already supported by Georgia Tech’s AI Makerspace.
And There’s the Best Paper Award: Breanna Shi, a PACE user and a student at Georgia Tech, received PEARC’s Best Student Short Paper Award in the “Workforce Development, Training, Diversity and Education” track for her paper, “FAIR-CS: Framework for Interdisciplinary Research Collaborations in Online Computing Programs.”
Breanna’s work was the cumulation of her experiences contributing to the creation of the Framework for Accelerating Interdisciplinary Research in Computer Science (FAIR-CS) within Georgia Tech’s Human-Augmented Analytics Group (HAAG). The FAIR-CS initiative reflects her commitment to expanding access to collaborative research opportunities, particularly for students in Georgia Tech’s Online Master of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) program, by connecting them with on-campus research projects that make a real impact.
Leadership in Action – Driving the Growth of HPC and AI
Dr. Weiner stood out in his actions of not only being a member, but rather an emerging leader in the field. He was asked to be a panelist for “Banding Together in Challenging Times,” an important plenary session as research institutions navigate emerging themes such as AI, economic uncertainty, and rapid changes in technology. Plenary sessions such as this play vital roles in bringing communities together to learn from each other and to help achieve success for all.
Building off the theme of collaboration and resilience, Dr. Weiner was also involved in organizing the “Campus Champions and NAIRR: Empowering AI Research Facilitation Through Collaboration” workshop. PACE strives to play an active role in helping build community and lasting collaborations in the research computing space.
And the Campus Champions lunch deserves special recognition. While modest in format, it exemplified the power of informal gatherings to foster genuine connections. By bringing together research computing professionals from across the country, the event created space for meaningful conversations and new collaborations, reminding us that some of the most impactful exchanges happen not in formal sessions, but in shared moments of community.
PACE Member Contributions and Callouts
Dr. Weiner also took on multiple roles at the conference, serving as a paper reviewer, organizing the Future Creating Workshop for RCD Nexus Day 2025, and mentoring participants in the Student Program. His commitment reflects the invaluable role that experienced professionals play in guiding the next generation. It’s the kind of investment in the community’s future that embodies PACE’s mission and values.
Dr. Eric Coulter and Dr. Liu served behind the scenes on the PEARC Steering Committee, with Dr. Coulter focusing on website development and Dr. Liu on strategic planning and culture initiatives. PACE’s representation across both the technical and community dimensions of PEARC reflects the kind of holistic approach that drives the field forward.
Dr. Lombardi was involved in many aspects of the conference, including reviewing technical track papers, chairing workforce development sessions, and judging poster presentations. Being entrusted with responsibility that span both technical evaluation and workforce development speaks to Dr. Lombardi’s depth of expertise and respected standing in the research computing community.
Dr. Coulter also served as track chair for Presentation-only Abstracts while continuing his role as a poster judge. The extensive involvement of the PACE team across so many facets of the conference highlights its deep commitment to advancing the research computing community and supporting excellence in every dimension of PEARC.
What this Means for the Future
Taken together, the breadth of PACE’s involvement at PEARC isn’t just a marker of participation – it reflects the team’s growing influence in the research computing community.
The AI research they’re publishing goes beyond academic exploration. As research computing centers nationwide confront the challenge of supporting complex AI workflows, PACE’s work on Open OnDemand integration, facilitation strategies, and community guidance will inform real operational decisions. These contributions are poised to help researchers navigate emerging technologies with greater efficiency and clarity.
The leadership roles PACE team members assumed throughout the conference further underscore this impact. When Dr. Weiner contributes to plenary discussions or lead workshops, when Dr. Lombardi guides conversations on workforce development, and when Dr. Coulter and Dr. Liu help steer committee initiatives, they are meaningfully contributing to the priorities, culture, and direction of the field.
Reflecting on the accomplishments at PEARC ’25, it’s clear that their work is helping strengthen the frameworks, tools, and collaborative structures that support a rapidly evolving research computing landscape. The connections built, challenges addressed, and future professionals mentored all contribute to an ecosystem that is not only technically capable but deeply committed to the researchers it serves.