Research Computing and Cyberinfrastructure

Centralized Application Tracking System (CATS) Training to be offered [ Fall 2016 Schedule ]

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The CATS IRB system simplifies the process and replaces the PRAMS system; it is a newer electronic Centralized Application Tracking System (CATS) for Instructional Review Board (IRB) submissions. Researchers who are required to submit to the IRB must use this system to submit their IRB protocol and manage their study. There are various components to the system, including protocol smartforms, templates, checklists and video tutorials. More information regarding the CATS IRB implementation and the PRAMS to CATS conversion can be found on the CATS home page at irb.psu.edu.

The summer training sessions will introduce researchers to CATS IRB, Penn State’s new online IRB submission program, as well as cover the basics of CATS IRB, including navigation and system features. Faculty, staff, and students are welcome.

Participants will learn:

  1. How to navigate the CATS IRB system
  2. Features of CATS IRB and differences from PRAMS
  3. How to create a new study submission

The in-person objectives are the same as the above Adobe Connect outline, with the exception that participants will also have the opportunity to practice creating and modifying a study during the hands-on portion of the in-person course.

The summer training schedule is listed below.

In-person registration:  http://fall2016-catsirb-training.eventbrite.com

  • September 7th from 3:00 – 4:00
  • October 11th from 1:30 – 2:30
  • December 1st from 9:30 – 10:30

Adobe Connect registration: http://fall2016-catsirb-training-ac.eventbrite.com

  • September 26th from 9:00 – 10:30
  • October 17th from 1:30 – 3:00
  • December 7th from 2:00 – 3:30

Centralized Application Tracking System (CATS) Training to be offered…

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The CATS IRB system simplifies the process and replaces the PRAMS system; it is a newer electronic Centralized Application Tracking System (CATS) for Instructional Review Board (IRB) submissions. Researchers who are required to submit to the IRB must use this system to submit their IRB protocol and manage their study. There are various components to the system, including protocol smartforms, templates, checklists and video tutorials. More information regarding the CATS IRB implementation and the PRAMS to CATS conversion can be found on the CATS home page at irb.psu.edu.

The summer training sessions will introduce researchers to CATS IRB, Penn State’s new online IRB submission program, as well as cover the basics of CATS IRB, including navigation and system features. Faculty, staff, and students are welcome.

Participants will learn:

  1. How to navigate the CATS IRB system
  2. Features of CATS IRB and differences from PRAMS
  3. How to create a new study submission

The in-person objectives are the same as the above Adobe Connect outline, with the exception that participants will also have the opportunity to practice creating and modifying a study during the hands-on portion of the in-person course.

 

The summer training schedule is listed below.

In-person registration:  http://summer-2016-cats-irb-system-overview.eventbrite.com

  • June 27 from 9:30 – 11:00 (past)
  • Aug 17 from 2:00 – 3:30

Adobe Connect registration: http://summer-2016-adobe-connect-cats-irb-system-overview.eventbrite.com

  • June 22 from 2:30 – 3:30 (past)
  • July 12 from 3:00 – 4:00 (past)
  • Aug 8 from 10:00 – 11:00

 

RCCI Year-End Report and Self-Assessment for 2015-2016

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The report linked below summarizes the accomplishments of the Research Computing and CyberInfrastructure (RCCI) governance structure during the 2015-2016 academic year, along with an assessment of challenges and opportunities facing RCCI in the near future.  Overall, RCCI is accomplishing its goal of creating a communication network between faculty researchers, university administrative offices, and IT units that have a major influence on research computing. In its first year it has succeeded in created working groups to address issues both narrow and broad..  Many projects are ongoing, and we have seen a desire for cooperation in relevant administrative offices, IT units, and with faculty stakeholders that is allowing us to gain traction on thorny cyberinfrastructure issues.  Without the presence of RCCI, it is doubtful that many of these critical topics would be being tackled at all, let alone with broad input from the research community and other critical stakeholders.

The report includes:

  1. A summary of key accomplishments and ongoing projects on specific fronts from the point of view of the “research guru” office
  2. The annual reports of each of the RCCI working groups
  3. A list of “big-picture” IT Career Track Challenges and corrective policy recommendations
  4. RCCI Research Network & Data Classification Policies Working Group’s Recommendations for the Penn State Research Network and
  5. Penn State Research Network success stories

You can read the report in its entirety here: RCCI EC Year End report and assessment 6-14-2016

Open Invitation to RMACC High-Performance Computing Symposium – Aug. 9-11

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The Rocky Mountain Advanced Computing Consortium is hosting their annual RMACC High Performance Computing symposium August 9-11, 2016 at the Lory Student Center on the campus of Colorado State University, Fort Collins. The symposium staff have extended an invitation to Penn State network engineers and all interested parties to attend Rocky Mountain Cyberinfrastructure Mentoring and Outreach Alliance Workshop; “focused on engaging your researchers and educators, and enabling them to do their research and education using advanced cyberinfrastructure.”

The symposium brings together administrators, researchers, and users of high performance computing systems from universities, government laboratories, and industry from throughout the 6-state Intermountain Region and beyond. This year’s event features a wide range of panels, discussions, and tutorials dealing in research, education, and best practices in computational science and high performance networking. Students (both graduate and undergraduate) and members of the public are also encouraged to attend.

This year’s keynote speakers are Irene M. Qualters, Division Director of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (ACI) at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Arlington, VA, and Dr. Matthew Vaughn, Director of Life Sciences Computing at the University of Texas’ Advanced Computing Center (TACC) in Austin, TX. For more information on speakers, visit the RMACC’s homepage. Additional resources are listed below:

Schedule   |  Agenda   |   Registration