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Virtual
Residency
Introductory/Intermediate Workshop 2026
available live via videoconferencing
Monday June 22
-
Friday June 26 2026
Coming after the workshop!
NOTES:
-
All times are APPROXIMATE.
-
This agenda is SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
-
We may not cover everything on this agenda,
and we may cover topics not on this agenda.
Monday June 22
-
8:45-9:45am CT:
TALK:
"Virtual Residency Introductory/Intermediate
Workshop 2026 Overview"
Speaker:
Henry Neeman,
U Oklahoma
Abstract:
This session will introduce both
the Virtual Residency Program and
this year's workshop.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
-
9:45-11:15am CT:
MIDMORNING BREAK
-
11:15am-12:30pm CT:
TALK:
INTRODUCTORY:
"Effective Communication:
How to Talk to Researchers About Their Research"
Speaker:
Henry Neeman,
U Oklahoma
Abstract:
In this session,
we'll discuss
research terminology,
research computing versus enterprise IT,
the mindset gap,
things to say to a researcher,
and
how to find researchers and their projects.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
-
12:30-1:30pm CT:
LUNCHTIME BREAK
-
1:30-2:45pm CT:
TALK:
INTRODUCTORY:
"Cyberinfrastructure User Support"
Speaker(s) to be announced
Abstract:
This presentation will discuss topics such as:
CI user expectations;
CI categorization and commonalities;
difficulties encountered by HPC support teams and users;
best methods and strategies to follow
for CI users support;
approaches to common HPC user problems;
CI outreach, education and training.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
-
2:45-3:15pm CT:
MIDAFTERNOON BREAK
-
3:15-4:30pm CT:
TALK:
INTRODUCTORY:
"The Cyberinfrastructure Landscape"
Speaker:
Mike Renfro,
Tennessee Tech U
Abstract:
The diversity, scale and scope of the national CI
landscape is sufficiently rich and complex
that researchers have to devote time and patience
to determine which resources and organizations
will best meet their needs.
We will explore available organizations, systems,
services providers and technologies.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
Tuesday June 23
-
9:00-10:15am CT:
PANEL:
INTERMEDIATE:
"Facilitating
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning/Deep Learning"
Moderator and panelists(s) to be announced
Abstract:
With rapid growth in the integration of
Artificial intelligence (AI) in research and education,
research computing and data (RCD) professionals
face new challenges and opportunities
in meeting the research and teaching demands.
This panel explores
the evolving role of RCD professionals
in supporting AI research
that ranges from
cyberinfrastructure provisioning and
workforce development
to
data governance and
AI workflow facilitation.
This panel consists of
a diverse group of researchers and RCD professionals
who will share their experience-based insights
into the technical, organizational, and ethical
challenges they encounter,
as well as opportunities for
fostering innovation in AI-powered research and education
facilitation.
Attendees will gain practical takeaways
as well as contribute to national conversation
on AI-readiness in academia.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
-
10:15-10:45am CT:
MIDMORNING BREAK
-
10:45am-12:00noon CT:
TALK/DEMONSTRATION:
INTRODUCTORY:
"How to Do an Intake Interview" /
"Intake Interview Demonstrations"
Speaker(s) to be announced
Abstract:
In this session,
we will introduce some communication tools
that you can use during
an intake interview with new researchers.
These tools are specifically designed to help you
listen and get to the core of the problem,
while also building a relationship.
The session will end with
video examples of intake interviews
that demonstrate some of these tools.
As a group,
we will critique these interviews,
to help prepare you for
"live" intake interviews on Wednesday.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
-
12:00noon-1:30pm CT:
LUNCHTIME BREAK
-
1:30-2:45pm CT:
PANEL:
INTERMEDIATE:
"How to Learn and How to Teach
Research Computing Resources"
Moderator and panelists to be announced
Abstract:
CI Facilitators are regularly called on
to understand
a constantly evolving collection of
systems, services, methods and techniques.
In this panel,
we'll look at
mechanisms for learning these resources, and
how to teach them to researchers.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
2:45-3:15pm CT:
MIDAFTERNOON BREAK
3:15-4:30pm CT:
PANEL:
INTERMEDIATE:
"Researcher Perspectives:
What Do Researchers Need from
Cyberinfrastructure Facilitators?"
Moderator and panelists to be announced
Moderator:
to be announced
Panelists:
Jedidiah Lindborg [Statistics],
U Central Oklahoma
Stan Svojanovsky [Biochemistry],
Missouri Western U
Additional panelists to be announced
Abstract:
Coming soon
Questions:
Questions for the panelists
(we might use all of these, or none, or some,
and not necessarily in this order):
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To what extent do you see your research dependent on research computing and data services today, and how do you see that evolving in future? What about in your research community more broadly?
-
Are there research facilitators at your institution and if so, have you worked with them? What do they primarily help with? If not, from whom (what roles) have you gotten help and for what?
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What is the value and importance of having talented research computing staff? If you had to choose, would you choose more hardware or more research computing staff?
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Thinking about research computing staff, which is more important to you, disciplinary expertise or research computing expertise? Why is that more important?
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What are the challenges and obstacles to adopting research computing in your own research, and more broadly in your research community?
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What relationship do you want with your institution's research computing facility? Should it be integrated into your work, or kept at arm's length?
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Can you give an example of an experience you've had working with a research computing facilitator that exemplifies the value of doing that?
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Now give an example where something went horribly wrong. What would have improved that situation (worst case) in hindsight?
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What would you most want a research facilitator to know about your work and your needs so they can be most helpful to you?
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
Wednesday June 24
-
9:00-10:15am CT:
PANEL:
INTERMEDIATE:
"Reducing Barriers to Entry for New Users"
Moderator and panelists to be announced
Abstract:
Novice CI users often come from
a handheld or PC computing background,
which is substantially different from
the traditional CI combination of
Linux/command line/remote/shared/batch.
This gap leads to significant barriers to entry.
In this panel,
we'll identify some of these barriers
and discuss approaches to reducing their impact
on new CI users.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
-
10:15-10:45am CT:
MIDMORNING BREAK
-
10:45am-12:00noon CT:
MINI-TALK/PRACTICUM:
INTRODUCTORY:
"How to Do an Intake Interview" /
"Intake Interviews with Real Researchers"
Speaker(s) to be announced
Abstract:
In this session,
the CI Facilitators
and
those who are interested in pursuing
a CI Facilitation
career
will find several opportunities
to learn about intake interview best practices,
conduct short intake interviews
with various researchers,
apply foundations of CI Facilitation,
and receive feedback from experienced CI Facilitators.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
-
12:00noon-1:30pm CT:
LUNCHTIME BREAK
-
1:30-2:45pm CT:
TALK:
INTRODUCTORY:
"CyberAmbassadors:
Let's Talk: Communicating That There's a Problem"
Speaker(s) to be announced
Abstract:
Strong interpersonal communication skills
can foster success in
both professional and personal situations.
This session will focuses on
building participants' capacity to engage in
meaningful, one-on-one conversations about
challenging topics.
Participants will explore
common types of problems
and practice skills for resolving
ability, motivation and interpersonal problem situations.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
-
2:45-3:15pm CT:
MIDAFTERNOON BREAK
-
3:15-4:30pm CT:
PANEL:
INTERMEDIATE:
"Research Data Management"
Moderator and panelists to be announced
Abstract:
Research Data Management
continues to challenge us
throughout the life cycle of research projects.
The panelists will give their perspectives
based on their roles and challenges
or use cases they've faced,
as well as solutions or tools implemented
regarding the ever changing and growing landscape of
Research Data Management.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
Thursday June 25
-
9:00-10:15am CT:
PANEL:
INTERMEDIATE:
"Explaining Complex Technical Topics to Researchers"
Moderator and panelists to be announced
Abstract:
Communicating complex technical topics to researchers
presents universal challenges across
disciplines and project stages.
The panelists will share approaches
shaped by their roles, experiences, and
specific scenarios
where technical concepts needed to be translated for
a wide variety of researchers.
They will discuss strategies and recommend practices
they have employed
to bridge communication gaps
and enhance understanding
in an increasingly interdisciplinary research environment.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
-
10:15-10:45am CT:
MIDMORNING BREAK
-
10:45am-12:00noon CT:
PANEL:
INTERMEDIATE:
"Mapping Research Requirements to Software Tools"
Moderator and panelists to be announced
Abstract:
Coming soon
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
-
12:00noon-1:30pm CT:
LUNCHTIME BREAK
-
1:30-2:45pm CT:
PANEL:
INTERMEDIATE:
"Facilitating Cloud Computing
and Explaining Cloud Pros & Cons"
Moderator and panelists to be announced
Abstract:
Facilitating research in the cloud
presents a unique set of challenges
for
CI Facilitators,
researchers,
students,
and
institutions.
In this panel,
we'll focus on
the challenges and obstacles
faced by CI Facilitators,
and some of
the tools, methods, and approaches
used at various institutions
to overcome them,
and lessons learned.
Areas of discussion will include:
cloud training for facilitators and researchers;
what workloads are appropriate (and not)
for the cloud;
the importance of adapting and fundamentally changing
workloads for the cloud;
managing the plethora of services and vendor lock in;
cost management;
some of the valuable lessons learned
and fundamental changes in thinking
along the journey to the cloud.
This panel will take the perspective of
utilizing the most popular public cloud providers,
but will be relevant to
most cloud-native environments
(including on-prem cloud).
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
-
2:45-3:15pm CT:
MIDAFTERNOON BREAK
-
3:15-4:30pm CT:
PANEL:
INTERMEDIATE:
"Assessing and Anticipating Researcher Needs"
Moderator and panelists to be announced
Abstract:
An important part of research computing
is ensuring that
the computing infrastructure we build
meets the needs of the researchers who are using it.
To turn around the famous line from Field of Dreams,
"Just because you built it doesn't mean
they will come."
In this panel,
we will discuss approaches to
assessing and anticipating researcher needs,
including tradeoffs between
convenience versus efficiency
and openness versus security,
as well as balancing between
researcher needs and staff workload.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
Friday June 26
-
9:00-10:15am CT:
PANEL:
INTERMEDIATE:
"Emerging Technologies"
Moderator and panelists to be announced
Abstract:
Data science, analytics, and computer science
are evolving faster than ever,
as advanced technologies reshape
every aspect of modern life
—
from healthcare and cybersecurity
to materials and drug discovery,
environmental monitoring,
and business.
Key emerging technologies include
artificial intelligence (AI),
blockchain,
the Internet of Things (IoT),
and a new generation of
commercial micro-satellites
providing real-time, high-resolution imagery.
In addition,
quantum computing,
photonic computing,
edge computing,
and neuromorphic hardware
are unlocking new capabilities in
simulation, optimization, and real-time analytics.
Beyond GPUs,
today's infrastructure increasingly relies on
specialized hardware such as
tensor processing units (TPUs),
FPGAs,
and quantum processors
to accelerate
AI,
scientific computing,
and data-intensive applications.
These advances offer
immense opportunities for innovation and societal benefit,
but also bring new challenges in
privacy,
ethics,
security,
and rising energy demands from data centers.
Balancing the promise of these technologies
with responsible development and sustainability
will be a key theme of
our emerging technologies panel discussion.
Slides:
coming soon
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
-
10:15-10:45am CT:
MIDMORNING BREAK
10:45-12:00noon CT:
ROUNDTABLE:
"Stories from the Trenches"
Moderator:
Henry Neeman, U Oklahoma
In this session,
workshop attendees will swap stories of interest to
CI Facilitators.
Google
Doc folder
for discussion
-- coming soon
Video:
coming soon
All videos are
coming soon.
-
Slides
will be posted to this webpage,
typically after each session
(typically PowerPoint and PDF).
-
Zoom:
We STRONGLY recommend Zoom for all
remote attendees.
Please
MUTE YOURSELF
except when you're talking.
Zoom Instructions
You MUST have a Zoom account to participate.
You can get a FREE Zoom Basic account at:
http://zoom.us/
Zoom is compatible with
Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS and Android.
Detailed Zoom instructions are available via
E-MAIL ONLY.
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