KINBER is actively engaged in research activities specifically related to campus cyberinfrastricture, data networking, cybersecurity, and network measurement and monitoring. KINBER also supports research across the Commonwealth at our member institutions through grant assistance, leadership activities, and other research engagement support.

Grant Awards/Funding

NSF CC*IIE Region: Accelerating the Adoption of Campus Cyberinfrastructure Technologies in Pennsylvania (Award 1440699) Gwendolyn Huntoon, Principal Investigator

Abstract: The Keystone Initiative for Network Based Education and Research (KINBER), a statewide nonprofit organization, is implementing a program of coordinated leadership and mentoring activities that improve the ability of Pennsylvania colleges and universities to understand and utilize their network infrastructure to support cyberinfrastructure-based scientific applications and research on their campuses. These leadership activities focus on the understanding, deployment, integration and support of campus cyberinfrastructure technologies, such as perfSONAR, campus science DMZ, end-to-end performance monitoring and campus cybersecurity. This program establishes a collaborative cyberinfrastructure community in Pennsylvania through the use of facilitated workshops, campus visits, regional monitoring, follow-up visits and technical assistance including deploying perfSONAR equipment. The program’s expanded deployment of perfSONAR platforms within the state provides a rich set of performance measurement and diagnostic tools to campus IT staff and researchers. The knowledge gained through this program enables campuses within Pennsylvania to support a broad set of cyberinfrastructure-based applications, including those that rely on the seamless integration of computing, storage and network resources, including the ability to support large data transfers. The program provides benefits over the longer term as additional Pennsylvania colleges and universities deploy science DMZs and expand their campus infrastructure capabilities, utilizing the program’s online knowledge base for solving and identifying common cyberinfrastructure problems. Read more info on this award.

Women in IT Networking at SC (WINS) (Award 1640987) Marla Meehl, Principal Investigator; Gwendolyn Huntoon, Co-Principal Investigator

Abstract: The Women in IT (Information Technology) Networking at SuperComputing (SC) (WINS) program seeks to address the prevalent gender gap that exists in IT, particularly in the fields of network engineering and high performance computing (HPC). The project’s goal is to establish a sustainable workforce development program giving U.S. women professionals in the network and software engineering fields the opportunity to gain substantial hands-on expertise while developing business and mentoring relationships with global leaders in the field. The project provides travel support for a total of fifteen qualified female U.S. candidates – five early to mid-career participants per year for three years. The support allows the participants to join the SCinet workforce for the conference years SC16, SC17, and SC18. SCinet is a world-class research and education enterprise network engineered and built exclusively for annual Supercomputing (SC) events. SCinet pushes the boundaries of both production and experimental networking, offering its designers and engineers a unique challenge and experience. Support is also provided to enable participants to attend a follow-on meeting to further expand their professional network, raise awareness of the WINS program and diversity issues, and report on their experiences resulting from participating in the program. The program builds upon the success of the Women in IT Networking at SC (WINS) pilot program introduced in November 2015 at the SC15 conference in Austin, Texas. WINS is a joint effort between the Energy Sciences Network (ESnet), the Keystone Initiative for Network Based Education and Research (KINBER), and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). Read more info on this award.

2017 NSF Campus Cyberinfrastructure and Cybersecurity Innovation for Cyberinfrastructure PI Workshop (Award 1745644) Gwendolyn Huntoon, Principal Investigator, Jen Leisure, Co-Principal Investigator

Abstract: The 2017 Campus Cyberinfrastructure and Cybersecurity Innovation for Cyberinfrastructure PI Workshop builds upon the success of the previous Campus Cyberinfrastructure Workshops providing an opportunity for recipients of all active NSF Campus Cyberinfrastructure and Cybersecurity Innovation for Cyberinfrastructure awards to meet in person, exchange project findings, interact with national cyberinfrastructure experts and collaborate across project areas and project regions. By again co-locating with the ESnet Site Coordinators Committee (ESCC) meeting and the Quilt Fall Member Meeting, the broader scope encourages relationships between campus cyberinfrastructure, science driven applications, cybersecurity, and regional and national cyberinfrastructure resources. Based on last year’s experience, we have updated the meeting schedule to provide additional opportunities for interaction between PIs themselves as well as between the three groups participating in the meetings. New to the 2017 PI Workshop is a half-day breakout session for the CC program Campus Cyberinfrastructure Engineers and Cyber Team awards, bringing together organizations at the leading edge of supporting campus cyberinfrastructure facilitation. Read more info on this award.

2018 NSF Campus Cyberinfrastructure and Cybersecurity Innovation for Cyberinfrastructure PI Workshop (Award 1842088) Gwendolyn Huntoon, Principal Investigator, Jen Leisure, Co-Principal Investigator

Abstract:  The 2018 Campus Cyberinfrastructure and Cybersecurity Innovation for Cyberinfrastructure PI Workshop builds upon the success of the previous Campus Cyberinfrastructure Workshops providing an opportunity for recipients of all active NSF Campus Cyberinfrastructure (CC*) and Cybersecurity Innovation for Cyberinfrastructure (CICI) awards to meet in person, exchange project findings, interact with national cyberinfrastructure experts and collaborate across project areas and project regions. By again co-locating with the Quilt Fall Member Meeting, the broader scope encourages relationships between campus cyberinfrastructure, science driven applications, cybersecurity, and regional and national cyberinfrastructure resources. Based on last year’s experience, we have updated the meeting schedule to provide additional opportunities for interaction between PIs themselves as well as between the three groups participating in the meetings. New to the 2018 PI Workshop is an expanded pre-workshop set of breakout sessions half-day breakout sessions on topics relevant to academic research networking challenges facing campuses and CC* and CICI PI teams. Read more info on this award.

2019 NSF Campus Cyberinfrastructure and Cybersecurity Innovation for Cyberinfrastructure PI Workshop (Award 1936847) Gwendolyn Huntoon, Principal Investigator, Jen Leisure, Co-Principal Investigator, Jennifer Oxenford, Co-Principal Investigator

Abstract: The 2019 Campus Cyberinfrastructure and Cybersecurity Innovation for Cyberinfrastructure PI Workshop builds upon the success of the previous Campus Cyberinfrastructure Workshops providing an opportunity for recipients of all active NSF Campus Cyberinfrastructure (CC*) and Cybersecurity Innovation for Cyberinfrastructure (CICI) awards to meet in person, exchange project findings, interact with national cyberinfrastructure experts and collaborate across project areas and project regions. By again co-locating with the Quilt Fall Member Meeting, the broader scope encourages relationships between campus cyberinfrastructure, science driven applications, cybersecurity, and regional and national cyberinfrastructure resources. Based on last year’s experience, the meeting schedule has been updated to provide additional opportunities for interaction between PIs themselves as well as between the three groups participating in the meetings. Included in the 2019 PI Workshop is an expanded pre-workshop set of breakout sessions half-day breakout sessions on topics relevant to academic research networking challenges facing campuses and CC* and CICI PI teams. Read more info on this award.

NSF SAC-PA: Toward A Security Assured Cyberinfrastructure in Pennsylvania (Award 1642117) Dr. James Joshi, Principal Investigator; Brian Stengel, Co-Principal Investigator

Abstract: Cybersecurity is a growing concern for individuals, communities, nations and the world. The increasing numbers of cyber attacks make cybersecurity a critical national security concern. Information technology provides tremendous opportunities to accelerate data-driven scientific research and education. Increasing cybersecurity problems can adversely impact scientific research and its economic and social benefits if the cyberinfrastructure that supports scientific research and education is not well protected. Beyond the implementation of innovative cybersecurity solutions, it is critical to establish structured and effective practices and better collaboration among various stakeholders to share cybersecurity resources, expertise and information. This project focuses on establishing a regional collaboration and partnership within the state of Pennsylvania, referred to as SAC-PA. SAC-PA provides critical support to smaller academic institutions, including resource constrained regional institutions that serve under-represented populations as well as high school teachers and students. It establishes a collaboration and partnership framework to enable concerted activities promoting the use of effective cybersecurity techniques and practices inherent in security-assured cyberinfrastructure. While enhancing the cybersecurity posture of Pennsylvania, SAC-PA provides a regional cybersecurity collaboration and partnership model that can be adopted by other regions, or be extended to national-level collaborations. Read more info on this award.

CIF21 DIBBs: EI: Virtual Data Collaboratory: A Regional Cyberinfrastructure for Collaborative Data Intensive Science (Award 1640834) Manish Parashar, Principal Investigator; Grace Agnew (Co-Principal Investigator); James von Oehsen (Co-Principal Investigator); Jenni-Louise Evans (Co-Principal Investigator); Vasant Honavar (Co-Principal Investigator)

Abstract: This project develops a virtual data collaboratory that can be accessed by researchers, educators, and entrepreneurs across institutional and geographic boundaries, fostering community engagement and accelerating interdisciplinary research. A federated data system is created, using existing components and building upon existing cyberinfrastructure and resources in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Seven universities are directly involved (the three Rutgers University campuses, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, Drexel University, Temple University, and the City University of New York); indirectly, other regional schools served by the New Jersey and Pennsylvania high-speed networks also participate. The system has applicability to a several science and engineering domains, such as protein-DNA interaction and smart cities, and is likely to be extensible to other domains. The cyberinfrastructure is to be integrated into both graduate and undergraduate programs across several institutions. Read more info on this award.

Research Engagement Advisory Committee

The KINBER Research Engagement Advisory Committee provides input and feedback on future research engagement activities both internally within KINBER as well as activities supported at KINBER member institutions. The Research Engagement Advisory Committee assists with planning of research engagement and education efforts of faculty and staff. Finally the committee will provide guidance and input on KINBER’s direction for research and science education driven services and future grant opportunities. To learn more or nominate a candidate from your organization to the Research Engagement Advisory Committee, contact us at info@kinber.org