The Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute at the University of Utah has been recognized in the 21st edition of the HPCwire Readers’ and Editors’ Choice Awards, presented at the 2024 International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis (SC24) in Atlanta, Georgia.

The SCI Institute and the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) won an Editors’ Choice Award for the National Data Platform (NDP), which HPCwire called the “best use of high performance data analytics and artificial intelligence.” Last year, following a $6 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the SCI Institute and SDSC launched NDP to create an equitable data ecosystem. The grant comes from a pilot program under NSF's National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR), “a concept for a national infrastructure that connects U.S. researchers to computational, data, software, model and training resources they need to participate in AI research.” Accordingly, NDP aims to enhance access to open data, fostering innovation and collaboration while addressing global challenges like climate change through AI-integrated solutions.

SCI Institute Director Manish Parashar and Co-Principal Investigator Ivan Rodero were delighted by the award. “This recognition underscores our commitment to advancing and democratizing responsible AI research and development,” Parashar said. So far, the NDP team has focused on designing and deploying a data ecosystem architecture that is agile, scalable and sustainable. The team is integrating the platform with key NAIRR datasets and applications to demonstrate its value and build a user community.

Initial NDP uses have focused on addressing societally critical applications such as early earthquake warnings, wildfire monitoring and food sustainability. “In the short term, we aim to deepen these integrations and demonstrate clear value across diverse applications,” Parashar said. “Long term, we aspire to establish NDP as a cornerstone for equitable and responsible data-driven innovation.”

NDP is a testament to what can be achieved through collaborative innovation, Rodero added. “By addressing data accessibility challenges and fostering partnerships, we are paving the way for responsible AI solutions that tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues,” he said. “We look forward to continuing this journey and expanding the impact of NDP in the years ahead.”

The coveted annual HPCwire awards are an annual feature of the publication and constitute prestigious recognition from the HPC community. They are revealed each year to kick off the annual supercomputing conference, which showcases high performance computing, networking, storage, and data analysis.

“This year, as we celebrate HPCwire’s 35th anniversary covering HPC and SC, and as we are at the advent of an HPC-led AI transformation, the 2024 Readers’ and Editors’ Choice Awards certainly reflect these exciting events,” said Tom Tabor, CEO of Tabor Communications, publishers of HPCwire. “Throughout the world, we see grand challenge problems that can only be explored and solved because of HPC, now aided by AI. Rarely do these accomplishments come to light, much less are they recognized for their contribution to society. Between our worldwide readership of HPC experts and the most renowned panel of editors in the industry, the Readers’ and Editors’ Choice Awards represent resounding recognition of the many deep and varied HPC accomplishments throughout the world. Our sincerest gratitude and hearty congratulations go out to all of the winners.”

More information on these awards can be found at the HPCwire website or on X through the following hashtag: #HPCwireRCA24.

About the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute
The Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute is a multidisciplinary research institute at the University of Utah. SCI is internationally recognized as a leader in visualization, scientific computing and image analysis, focusing on the transformation of science and society through translational research and innovation in computer, computational and data science.

About HPCwire
HPCwire is the #1 news and information resource covering the fastest computers in the world and the people who run them. With a legacy dating back to 1986, HPCwire has enjoyed a legacy of world-class editorial and journalism, making it the news source of choice selected by science, technology, and business professionals interested in high performance and data-intensive computing. Visit HPCwire at www.hpcwire.com.