2024 CSD RETREAT
INTRODUCTION
The Computational Sciences Department will bring together the members of CSD and researchers from other Departments in the Laboratory to discuss the research mission, opportunities, and organization of CSD, considering the significant changes currently taking place in computing and fusion research. We will consider significant changes that the fusion research effort is undergoing to devise a plan that will be effective, flexible and aligned with the Laboratory Agenda.
The Retreat will feature a small number of short talks with time for discussion through breakout groups and plenary sessions.
RECOMMENDATIONS
TBA
LOCATION
The Retreat will take place at 701 Carnegie Center on Friday, September 20, 2024. Event times can be found in the agenda section below.
Cafe 701 is on site and will be the provider of breakfast and lunch for selected attendees.
Parking is available in the parking lot in areas marked for visitors. Please click the link below for directions to the site.
DETAILS
The Retreat will feature four Breakout Groups. Members attending the Retreat will attend one breakout group during each session.
Breakout Group I:
Research Prioritization (Lead: Ammar Hakim): This session will focus on identifying both short- and long-term research opportunities, exploring key areas for growth. Participants will collaborate to find a strategic balance between CSD-wide initiatives, group objectives, and individual research endeavors.
Charge Questions:
What are the key AI/ML and algorithmic research topics we should tackle in the next several years, aiming to build our unique research niche?
How should we strengthen research in computational plasma physics, particularly new algorithms, AI/ML use, and emerging HPC architectures?
Given the rise of private fusion companies and the large amount of work done in private tech companies, what specific research topics should CSD plan to lead?
What core Computer Science and Applied Mathematics topics should we tackle and attempt to lead?
Breakout Group II:
Professional Development (Lead: Greg Hammett): This session will delve into key aspects of career growth, including defining personal and professional impact, role expectations, career progression pathways, and considerations for promotion within the organization.
Charge Questions:
How can we better align annual performance reviews with the promotion process, particularly for those balancing engineering and research roles?
Should we develop new metrics for evaluating contributions like code development, which may not directly result in papers but is critical for research? What metrics should we use for appraisals and promotions better suited for CSD-type work?
How can we support career growth by offering clear pathways for engineering and research tracks or creating a third track that blends these areas?
What skills and training should we prioritize to ensure that scientists (including postdocs and students) are equipped to succeed in emerging fields like AI?
How can we leverage our position within CSD to appeal to ASCR and secure new funding opportunities?
What hiring strategies and upskilling should we undertake to ensure we are technically prepared in AI/ML and future HPC?
Breakout Group III:
Collaborations (Lead: Bill Dorland): This session will explore strategies for enhancing collaborative efforts across PPPL, Princeton University, the DOE complex, and other external partners. Participants will discuss how to leverage these collaborations to drive innovation, advance research goals, and strengthen interdisciplinary connections for greater impact across the scientific community.
Charge Questions:
How can we strengthen collaborations with private companies (e.g., Kitware, Siemens) while controlling our research priorities?
What strategies can we use to enhance collaborations with Princeton University, other NJ institutions, and key national DOE labs to increase our visibility and impact? Princeton’s AI-lab?
How can we streamline administrative processes (e.g., subcontracts with Princeton University) to make collaborations more efficient and attractive for external partners?
What targeted efforts should we pursue to increase our visibility, attract new students, and promote wider use of our research and software products?
How can we increase diversity in our collaborations, particularly with HBCUs, MSIs, and underrepresented groups, to broaden our impact and research scope?
How do we collaborate with non-CSD groups at PPPL? What opportunities are there for CSD expertise to be applied to experimental physics (NSTX-U, LTX, FLARE, domestic partnerships DIII-D, international partnerships W7-X, WEST), engineering Dept, Theory Dept, and more broadly?
Breakout Group IV:
CSD Reorganization (Lead: Stephane Ethier): This session will focus on how the CSD can be restructured to effectively support and advance the objectives outlined in the previous sessions on research prioritization, professional development, and collaborations. Participants will work together to propose an organizational structure that fosters growth, innovation, and collective success.
Charge Questions:
Should we organize groups within CSD based on ASCR research priorities (e.g., AI, HPC), or focus on expertise-based structures like applied math or computational science?
Is a hybrid organizational structure, such as one combining specialized groups like Gkeyll with broader computational teams, more effective for promoting collaboration?
Should physics research topics drive group membership, or should expertise and cross-disciplinary projects play a larger role?
How can we ensure that any reorganization fosters innovation and growth while supporting our long-term research prioritization and collaboration goals?
How do we create a flexible organizational structure to adapt to new scientific and technological advancements?
AGENDA
Tentative Agenda
Session I
08:00AM - 08:30AM Breakfast
08:30AM - 09:00AM Shantenu Jha
09:00AM - 09:30AM Jon Menard
09:30AM - 10:00AM Ammar Hakim
10:00AM - 10:15AM Steve Cowley
10:15AM - 10:30AM Break
Session II
10:30AM – 11:00AM Introduction to Breakouts and Charge Questions
11:00AM – 12:30PM Breakout Groups:
I: Research Prioritization (Ammar)
II: Professional Development (Greg)
12:30PM – 1:30PM Lunch
1:30PM – 3:00PM Breakout Groups:
III: Collaborations (Bill/Michael)
IV: CSD Reorganization (Stephane)
Session III
3:00PM – 3:10PM Break
3:10PM – 3:30PM Breakout Group I Summary: Ammar
3:30PM – 3:50PM Breakout Group II Summary: Greg
3:50PM - 4:10PM Breakout Group III Summary: Bill/Michael
4:10PM - 4:30PM Breakout Group IV Summary: Stephane
4:30PM - 5:00PM Closing Remarks