I write you this note at a pivotal moment in the development of the Office of Research Computing and Data. We have come a long way since our founding over a year and a half ago. Core funding has been secured and put into action for our “Get Well” programs to enhance computing and to expand access to computing and data for everyone involved in research at MIT.
A new senior team has been assembled, and we now have deep collaborations in place with OpenMind and many other significant computing clusters around MIT, with over 100,000 computing cores and petabytes of storage under ORCD management. We have detailed plans for what we call Project Olympia—frictionless computing infrastructure for all—in the works, and are actively involved in fundraising to make it happen. MIT leadership continues to support the mission of ORCD, and, as we have said before, we’ve only just begun.
Running, building, and supporting innovative service organizations such as ORCD requires a deep level of sustaining commitment and energy. It’s akin to a relay race, and we sometimes must pass the baton to maintain our velocity. To this point, we are announcing a leadership change to the role of our executive director, effective March 15th.
We are excited to announce that Chris Hill will become the new executive director for ORCD. Chris was the founding leader of the MIT research computing project, the precursor to ORCD. He has over 30 years of experience at MIT as a principal research scientist, with deep ties to the community. Chris has served as our director of scientific consulting and as senior advisor to me since the beginnings of ORCD.
James, Chris, and I have worked on a transition plan that helps continue to set up ORCD for the future and beyond. James will step down as our executive director on March 15th, and he will continue part time as a senior strategic advisor to ORCD through July 1. I hope you will all join me in thanking James for his drive and energy to help kickstart ORCD, and as we continue together to help shape our future for computing and data at MIT.
Please feel free to contact me at fisherp@mit.edu with any questions.
Sincerely,
Peter
Peter Fisher
Thomas A. Frank (1977) Professor of Physics
Head, Office of Research Computing and Data (ORCD)
MIT Department of Physics