I am pleased to share a major reorganization of our research computing activities, which I believe will position us well in the future. Through a process of strategic planning, in coordination with the RPI Board of Trustees, we have come to appreciate that one of the powers of RPI over the decades has been a commitment to afford broad access to advanced computing resources, both in support of our research, and also to enhance educational activities. In addition, RPI has benefitted from accomplished computing experts who work across disciplinary boundaries to enable their colleagues across the Institute to ‘leapfrog’ their peers at other organizations by rapidly introducing advanced computational techniques into their research and teaching. This interdisciplinary approach, coupled with pushing the boundaries of computing, positions Rensselaer with an opportunity not just to change computing but to transform all academic fields.

A core enabler of this approach has been the steadfast commitment to ensure RPI has state-of-the-art computational facilities, which goes back even to my time as a student, when RPI installed a mainframe computer in Amos Eaton. More recently, with the acquisition of AiMOS, RPI established itself as having the most powerful supercomputer at any U.S. private university. And, of course, RPI once again leaps ahead of its peer institutions in advanced computing capability with the recent installation of the IBM Quantum System One.

With the bold move to acquire the quantum computer, we need to consider now the best way to organize RPI for a future where supercomputers, AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity will transform disciplines. We also need to take our collective computing assets and make sure that we have a whole that is greater than the sum of the parts, creating something that ensures RPI will remain in its leadership position while also providing a point of engagement for our critical partners in this region and beyond. This later point will ensure robust growth of economic activity in the region.

Today, I am announcing a new structure and leadership for FOCI, which I believe will serve RPI well as we move into an era where high-performance computing, AI, and quantum computing all work together to solve previously intractable problems. The restructured FOCI will have two important missions. First, we will bring the management of all the research computing infrastructure currently in DotCIO (AiMOS and the IBM Quantum System One) into this organization. Second, we will use this moment to integrate our various research computing organizations on campus into FOCI.

I believe this reorganization will position RPI for the future, particularly as we more fully embrace the impacts of AI, generative AI, and quantum (i.e., bits, neurons, and qubits). However, for this to succeed, we will need strong leaders to help shape the details and engage our community in this process.

I am pleased to announce that Vice President John E. Kolb will move from his current role to lead this important activity. John had been contemplating retirement, but I am thrilled that he has agreed to stay on to help build the new FOCI. Following a distinguished career at RPI spanning education, research, and administration, I am particularly appreciative of his role in securing and installing the quantum computer, strengthening our relationship with the quantum team at IBM, and helping to create a community of people (faculty, staff, and students) around this initiative.

Additionally, Professor Chris Carothers will join VP Kolb as Chief Scientist for FOCI. Under Chris’ leadership over the past decade, the CCI has grown to annually support over $75,000,000 in active, externally funded research programs from 80 different grants/contracts yielding over 100 research publications. Through Chris’ leadership of the CCI, he brings the right expertise in advanced research computing to this new role. 

Two years ago, when we announced the creation of FOCI, Professor James Hendler agreed to serve as the founding Director and has helped to shape much of our thinking about how to create the future of computing at RPI. Jim has expressed the desire to step down from this position and focus more intently on his research and teaching. When FOCI was launched, the intention was to develop a new degree offering. Jim has agreed to continue working with the Provost on how and where to stand this up. I am very grateful to Jim for his service and look forward to his continued guidance and intellectual leadership in this area.

As this is a new model for organizing research at RPI, there is much to be done in defining the mission, the organization, and how it will partner with important offices at RPI, most importantly the Vice President of Research Office. In addition, I will work with John as we restructure Institute information support services.

Please join me in thanking John, Chris, and Jim for their contributions to date and future leadership to ensure that computing continues to have a transformative impact for RPI.