NPPS Leadership Team

[Torre Wenaus <wenaus AT gmail.com>]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Ma, Hong <hma AT bnl.gov>
Date: Mon, Nov 27, 2023 at 16:13
Subject: Re: Computing and data strategy
To: Torre Wenaus <wenaus AT gmail.com>, Rajagopalan, Srini <srinir AT bnl.gov>
CC: Denisov, Dmitri <denisovd AT bnl.gov>, Kettell, Steven <kettell AT bnl.gov>, Begel, Michael <begel AT bnl.gov>, Jaffe, David <djaffe AT bnl.gov>

                Attached is John Hill’s plan sent to the ALDs for Phase 1 input.

                NPP will probably have a committee to prepare the response.

                Details to come soon.

 

                Best,

                Hong.

               

 

From: Torre Wenaus <wenaus AT gmail.com>
Date: Friday, November 17, 2023 at 11:11 AM
To: Rajagopalan, Srini <srinir AT bnl.gov>
Cc: Denisov, Dmitri <denisovd AT bnl.gov>, Kettell, Steven <kettell AT bnl.gov>, Ma, Hong <hma AT bnl.gov>, Begel, Michael <begel AT bnl.gov>, Jaffe, David <djaffe AT bnl.gov>
Subject: Re: Computing and data strategy

A few lines for the relevance of including Markus:

As ePIC S&C coordinator, the senior S&C role in the EIC community today and for some time to come, Markus is an ideal representative of that important community. As a S&C leader in JLab’s physics community he also brings an important perspective on their new data facility. As the ePIC representative to the emerging “Computing and Software Joint Institute” for EIC, which has produced friction between the facility organizations and the experiment, he brings an important perspective on experiments and computing facilities working in harmony to serve the science.

 

  Torre

 

On Nov 16, 2023 at 8:42:33 AM, Torre Wenaus <wenaus AT gmail.com> wrote:

I suggest Markus Diefenthaler at JLab, ePIC S&C coordinator

  Torre

 

On Thu, Nov 16, 2023 at 8:23 AM Rajagopalan, Srini <srinir AT bnl.gov> wrote:

 

Hello Dmitri –

 

Simone Campana is also a good name. I thought of him and suggested Ale because Ale has been more engaged with SDCC issues recently and participated in BNL reviews. But Simone is also good.

 

However, I would suggest nominating at least one non-US candidate –  they do bring a different perspective, so suggest picking either Ale or Simone.

 

                                srini

 

From: Denisov, Dmitri <denisovd AT bnl.gov>
Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 1:58 PM
To: Kettell, Steven <kettell AT bnl.gov>
Cc: Rajagopalan, Srini <srinir AT bnl.gov>, Ma, Hong <hma AT bnl.gov>, Torre Wenaus <wenaus AT gmail.com>, Begel, Michael <begel AT bnl.gov>, Jaffe, David <djaffe AT bnl.gov>, Kettell, Steven <kettell AT bnl.gov>
Subject: RE: Computing and data strategy

Hi Steve,

Heidi is nice, but too busy, including her coming DPF responsibilities. Paul is an interesting proposal, while I suspect they will prefer US, including for travel to the meetings. Simone is a good candidate.

DD.

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Kettell <kettell AT bnl.gov>
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2023 6:53 AM
To: Denisov, Dmitri <denisovd AT bnl.gov>
Cc: Rajagopalan, Srini <srinir AT bnl.gov>; Ma, Hong <hma AT bnl.gov>; Torre Wenaus <wenaus AT gmail.com>; Begel, Michael <begel AT bnl.gov>; Jaffe, David <djaffe AT bnl.gov>; Kettell, Steven <kettell AT bnl.gov>
Subject: RE: Computing and data strategy

Hi,

   Would Heidi Schellman be a good candidate as well?
What about Simone Campana?

Paul Laycock?

         Steve

On Thu, 16 Nov 2023, Denisov, Dmitri wrote:

> Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2023 12:49:25 +0000
> From: "Denisov, Dmitri" <denisovd AT bnl.gov>
> To: "Rajagopalan, Srini" <srinir AT bnl.gov>
> Cc: "Ma, Hong" <hma AT bnl.gov>, Torre Wenaus <wenaus AT gmail.com>,
>     "Begel, Michael" <begel AT bnl.gov>, "Kettell, Steven" <kettell AT bnl.gov>,
>     "Jaffe, David" <djaffe AT bnl.gov>
> Subject: RE: Computing and data strategy
>
>
> Having NSF connection is very useful. Just waiting for others to
> comment/suggest. We will need couple of lines about the persons we are nominating (relevance to the committee job).
>
>  
>
> Thanks, Dmitri.
>
>  
>
> From: Rajagopalan, Srini <srinir AT bnl.gov>
> Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2023 5:53 AM
> To: Denisov, Dmitri <denisovd AT bnl.gov>
> Cc: Ma, Hong <hma AT bnl.gov>; Torre Wenaus <wenaus AT gmail.com>; Begel,
> Michael <begel AT bnl.gov>; Kettell, Steven <kettell AT bnl.gov>; Jaffe,
> David <djaffe AT bnl.gov>
> Subject: Re: Computing and data strategy
>
>  
>
>  
>
> Kaushik is an IPA at NSF currently and also continues in atlas at 25%.
> Since he is NSF and not DOE, I suggested his name.
>
>
>
>       On Nov 16, 2023, at 12:43 PM, Denisov, Dmitri <denisovd AT bnl.gov> wrote:
>
>
>       Dear Srini,
>
>        
>
>       All very good suggestions. My understanding Kaushik is NSF now – or he is on leave of absence?
>
>        
>
>       Let’s hear what others think and then submit a list.
>
>        
>
>       Thanks, Dmitri.
>
>        
>
>       From: Rajagopalan, Srini <srinir AT bnl.gov>
>       Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2023 3:03 AM
>       To: Denisov, Dmitri <denisovd AT bnl.gov>; Ma, Hong <hma AT bnl.gov>; Torre Wenaus <wenaus AT gmail.com>;
>       Begel, Michael <begel AT bnl.gov>; Kettell, Steven <kettell AT bnl.gov>; Jaffe, David <djaffe AT bnl.gov>
>       Subject: Re: Computing and data strategy
>
>  
>
>  
>
> Hello Dmitri –
>
>  
>
> I would like you to consider the following:
>
>  
>
> Alessandro di Girolamo (CERN). He is the person I had suggested
> bringing to BNL as a sabbatical and was also involved in an earlier SDCC review. He just stepped down as the ATLAS computing coordinator.
>
>  
>
> Kaushik De (UTA, ATLAS) – he was one of my US ATLAS computing coordinators.
>
>  
>
> Peter Elmer (Princeton, CMS) – leading the IRIS HEP efforts amongst
> many other things. Regular presence at many reviews.
>
>  
>
> Shaun McKee (Michigan, ATLAS) – manages all the US ATLAS T2 centers, well experienced with networking.
>
>  
>
> Torre of course may suggest some good additional candidates.
>
>  
>
>                                                 Srini
>
>  
>
>  
>
> From: Denisov, Dmitri <denisovd AT bnl.gov>
> Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 2:51 AM
> To: Ma, Hong <hma AT bnl.gov>, Rajagopalan, Srini <srinir AT bnl.gov>, Torre
> Wenaus <wenaus AT gmail.com>, Begel, Michael <begel AT bnl.gov>, Kettell,
> Steven <kettell AT bnl.gov>, Jaffe, David <djaffe AT bnl.gov>
> Subject: RE: Computing and data strategy
>
> Dear All,
>
>  
>
> John is asking for the names for the external advisory committee. HEP,
> including ATLAS, Belle II with DUNE ramping up, is ~50% of SDCC
> efforts, so we have to have strong representation on the external
> committee. I suggest we have couple of ATLAS (CMS is fine) reps, at
> least one from Belle II and at least one from DUNE. If you can suggest
> names (above numbers above is perfectly reasonable as John will have
> to take into account affiliations, etc.) is fine. Remember, we are looking for non-BNL reps. No need, yet, to check if they are available or not. If you can send names to me by early next week, it will be great.
>
>  
>
> Thanks, Dmitri.
>
>  
>
> From: Ma, Hong <hma AT bnl.gov>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2023 4:40 PM
> To: Rajagopalan, Srini <srinir AT bnl.gov>; Torre Wenaus
> <wenaus AT gmail.com>; Begel, Michael <begel AT bnl.gov>; Kettell, Steven
> <kettell AT bnl.gov>; Jaffe, David <djaffe AT bnl.gov>
> Cc: Denisov, Dmitri <denisovd AT bnl.gov>
> Subject: Computing and data strategy
>
>  
>
>             At today’s science council meeting, John Hill discussed
> the plan for the “Computing and data strategy”. See attached slides.
>
> The last attempt a few years ago did not go anywhere, but this time,
> the lab management wants to take ownership of this plan.
>
> Please take a look at the “plan for the plan”.
>
>             An external advisory committee is foreseen.   It would be
> good to give our recommendations who can serve on the committee.
>
>  
>
>             Best,
>
>  
>
>             Hong.
>
>  
>
>  
>
>  
>
>  
>
>                
>
>
>

Steve Kettell (BNL Physics Department; 631-344-5323) kettell AT bnl.gov s_kettell AT verizon.net

 

--

-- Torre Wenaus, BNL NPPS Group, ATLAS Experiment

-- BNL 510A 1-222 | 631-681-7892

 

--

-- Torre Wenaus, BNL NPPS Group, ATLAS Experiment

-- BNL 510A 1-222 | 631-681-7892

--- Begin Message ---

• From: "Gao, Haiyan" <hgao AT bnl.gov>
• To: NPP Senior Management Group <NPPSeniorManagementGroup AT brookhavenLab.onmicrosoft.com>
• Subject: Computing and Data Strategic Plan
• Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2023 15:59:39 +0000

Dear colleagues:

I share an email before from John Hill on Computing and Data Strategic Plan. We will discuss NPP response to the request this afternoon. Thanks.

 

Best, Haiyan

 

*****************************************************************************

Haiyan Gao (she/her/hers)

Associate Laboratory Director, Nuclear and Particle Physics

Brookhaven National Laboratory

Building 510, 1-34

Email: hgao AT bnl.gov

Phone: 631-344-2431 (office), 631-461-2867 (cell)

 

*****************************************************************************

 

From: Hill, John <hill AT bnl.gov>
Date: Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 6:46 PM
To: Gao, Haiyan <hgao AT bnl.gov>, Misewich, James <misewich AT bnl.gov>, Schoonen, Martin <mschoonen AT bnl.gov>, Asner, David <dasner AT bnl.gov>, Kleese Van Dam, Kerstin <kleese AT bnl.gov>
Cc: Hewett, JoAnne <jhewett AT bnl.gov>, Emrick, Ann <emrick AT bnl.gov>, Ohlsen, Maria <mohlsen AT bnl.gov>
Subject: Computing and Data Strategic Plan

Haiyan, Jim, Martin, David and Kerstin,

 

As you know I am running a process to look at the way we do data and computer science here at BNL in order to make sure that we are positioned for success.

 

The first step is to perform a self-assessment (Phase I). Phase II will consist of us answering some guiding questions for ourselves, so that we may then write a coherent strategic plan (phase III). I expect the whole process to take something like a year – this is  a lot of work, but it vital that we get this right. Appended below is an outline of Phases I,II and III. I also expect to bring in outside experts to give us advice along the way.

I am writing today to ask to you each to answer the following question for your organization (i.e phase I):

 

1. What do you need from a data science perspective from BNL?

                                                               i.      Compute

                                                             ii.      Storage

                                                           iii.      Infrastructure (software, hardware, services, support, OSS policy,…)

                                                           iv.      AI/ML

                                                             v.      Workforce development in data science

1. Training
2. Recruitment
3. Retention

2. Were there opportunities  you lost out on because we did not have computing capabilities (expertise or access to hardware)
3. What are the key areas where data science will be needed by you in the next 5-10 years - what is needed to be competitive?
4. Please carry out a SWOT analysis for computer science within your organization
5. In the area of scientific data and computing, for each of ITD, CSI and SDCC document:

                                                               i.      What is working

                                                             ii.      What are the barriers to working more effectively with that organization

                                                           iii.      What would be most helpful to you in enabling your science

 

Please answer these questions in a maximum of ten pages. For those of you with large scale facilities within your organizations, or large scale science (e.g. ATLAS), you will want to provide two sets of answers to the above questions. One for the small scale science and one for the large facility-driven science. This could be two separate documents, or delineated within one with a higher page count..

 

Please get these to me by Friday February 2^nd, 2024. If you can get them to me earlier, that would be very helpful, but I understand all that you have going on.

 

If you have any questions now, or as you get to writing, please reach out. Happy to discuss at any time.

 

Thank you very much,

J.

 

 

Phase I: Self-assessment

1. Charge each of ITD, SDCC and CSI with documenting:

1. What is your mission as you currently see it
2. SWOT for your organization in meeting that mission
3. Benchmark your organization against equivalents at other national labs (size, mission, capabilities, impact)
4. Barriers in achieving your mission (external and internal to BNL)

2. Charge Science Directorates: Facilities and Core Depts Separately

1. What do you need from a data science perspective from BNL?

1. Compute
2. Storage
3. Infrastructure (software, hardware, services, support, OSS policy,…)
4. AI/ML
5. Workforce development in data science

1. Training
2. Recruitment
3. Retention

2. Were there opportunities  you lost out on because we did not have computing capabilities (expertise or access to hardware)
3. What are the key areas where data science will be needed by you in the next 5-10 years - what is needed to be competitive?
4. Please carry out a SWOT analysis for computer science within your organization
5. In the area of scientific data and computing, for each of ITD, CSI and SDCC document:

1. What is working
2. What are the barriers to working more effectively with that organization
3. What would be most helpful to you in enabling your science

Phase II: Determine guiding parameters for strategic plan

1. BDISC Brookhaven Data Infrastructure Steering Committee (reconstitute with DDST as Chair)

Charge it with answering the following questions as input for the strategy

1. What is our vision for data at BNL to enable our mission and BNL vision
2. Building on analysis of in 1) and 2), determine areas of computer science R&D where BNL is leading, or poised to take a lead.
3. What are ASCR's priorities in the next 5 years? What about other Directorates within SC? And elsewhere in the federal government
4. Where can BNL have the biggest impact?
5. What are the possible growth areas in Computer Science (if different from ASCR priorities) and how can we prepare for them?
6. Identify role of BNL in

1. Developing AI/ML
2. Utilizing AI/ML

7. Identify unexploited synergies across existing lab efforts in computing.
8. What security posture is required for different use cases?
9. Determine areas of CS R&D required to support BNL mission-driven computing (development of new technologies or frameworks, as opposed to development required to adopt/adapt existing ones)
10. Identify unexploited synergies/engagements with Stonybrook CS (Institute for Advanced Computational Science) or other partners
11. How should BNL interact with the ASCR facilities including HPDF and LCFs
12. Analysis of on-prem vs off-prem for various use-cases
13. Identify areas of  ITD, CSI and SDCC which need improvement in order to support the lab mission successfully

Phase III: Write Strategic plan

 

1. With the input from phases I and II, develop strategy doc to achieve vision. Document should include

1. Vision for data science at BNL
2. Strategy to support to support small experiments and theory
3. Strategy to support large scale facilities
4. Strategy for computer science at BNL
5. Cross-cut strategies

1. Role for HPDF and other LCFs
2. Role of cloud and on-prem compute and storage
3. Cyber security
4. AI/ML strategy
5. Workforce development
6. Infrastructure development

1. Compute
2. Storage
3. Network
4. Policy
5. ..

6. Identify the organizational structure that would best position the lab for achieving its data strategy.
7. Timeline with milestones to execute strategy

 

 

--- End Message ---