Research faculty launch high-performance computing user group

A new faculty user group called The Research and Data Computational Advisory Team (ReDCAT) has been launched in partnership with Clemson University's Research Computing and Data (RCD) group within Computing and Information Technology (CCIT). ReDCAT comprises University faculty members who use high-performance computing (HPC) resources like the Palmetto cluster and depend on these resources for their teaching and research. The goal of this group is to provide essential communication and relationship-building among faculty and campus HPC users and the system operators in Clemson University's Research Computing and Data group (RCD). ReDCAT is a faculty-generated and faculty-directed group.

Jill Gemmill, associate vice president of Research Computing and Data, said ReDCAT signifies continued research elevation through more robust partnerships between faculty and staff.

The Palmetto HPC cluster is the result of a faculty-IT partnership. Clemson ReDCAT is a renewal of the organization that facilitates the essential faculty user voice in Palmetto operations," said Gemmill. "We look forward to hearing ReDCAT's recommendations and supporting their future programs and activities."

Dvora Perahia, professor of chemistry and acting chairperson of ReDCAT, said that ReDCAT is a vital step forward and positions Clemson well with industry standards.

"ReDCAT is essential, as almost every multi-user facility in the country has a user group, from x-ray facilities, neutron labs to magnet labs," said Perahia. "ReDCAT facilitates effective use of the Palmetto cluster and elevates the diverse needs of researchers at Clemson with the RCD team."

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the following faculty members serve as ReDCAT representatives on this advisory board and public meetings will be announced as the dates are determined. If your department needs to be added to the list below and you are interested in ReDCAT, speak with your department chair about representing your department. Department chairs may contact Jill Gemmill to submit the name of their desired representative. To learn more about ReDCAT, please visit this link.

2024-2025 ReDCAT Faculty Representatives

• Eric McLamore, Department of Agricultural Sciences
• Jordan Frith, Department of English
• Amanda Regan, Department of History and Geography
• Lisa Meloncon, Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
• Enamel Kabir, Department of Communication
• Christopher Farrell, School of Nursing
• David L White, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
• Robert William Horne, Department of Political Science
• MinJae Woo, Department of Public Health Sciences
• Lucas Schmidt, Department of Biomedical Engineering
• David Bruce, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
• Ronnie Chowdhury, Glenn Department of Civil Engineering
• Jon Calhoun, Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Hamed Rahimian, Department of Industrial Engineering
• Zhen Li, Department of Mechanical Engineering
• Dilpuneet (DP) Aidhy, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
• Shuangshuang Jin, School of Computing
• Meihua Qian, College of Education
• Anna Seekatz, Department of Biological Sciences
• Dvora Perahia, Department of Chemistry
• Alex Feltus, Department of Genetics and Biochemistry
• Hudson Smith, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Division of Statistics and Operations Research
• Timo Heister, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Division of Mathematics
• Paul Wilson, John E. Walker Department of Economics
• Gerry Derksen, Department of Graphic Communications