CDSA Monthly Update: March 2025
Welcome to your March CDSA e-update, where we share news and updates about Compute and Data Services Alliance (CDSA) initiatives, services, tools, and enhancements.
The CDSA is committed to improving and increasing research computational and data services to support innovative research at Duke. To achieve this, we need insights and ideas from our research community. Please use the feedback form to share your thoughts on how we can: improve research data support services, streamline processes, or focus our efforts.
Duke Libraries has a new blogpost featuring Helenmary Sheridan, their new research data management consultant who joined in August 2024. The CDSA supported Helenmary’s hiring, increasing the Libraries' capacity to consult in this high-demand area. Need help curating your data or identifying a repository to share data? Helenmary can help!
To address the need for GPU resources for remote display and graphically intensive applications, OIT is offering virtual GPUs via OIT’s Virtual Computing Manager service (VCM). This enhanced offering will bridge the gap in our portfolio by supporting graphics-intensive applications like ArcGIS, Unreal Engine, and Autodesk Maya, among others. Virtual machines with GPUs will provide students and faculty with a near-physical experience for their assigned coursework, whether utilized in the classroom setting or for assignments.
Highlights
The first CDSA service, the Protected Network for Research (PNR) successfully launched in November 2024. The PNR provides a secure enclave and regulatory assistance for researchers working with protected and sensitive research data (not supporting clinical research or research involving Duke Health PHI). To date, we have 80 projects – doubling our numbers! If you’re interested in learning more, check out the website.
Our Duke Data Attic (DDA) pilot continues with 16 pilot users. The DDA will be a low-cost storage system for non-sensitive research data, providing an un-curated, flexible place to store and share infrequently used data or data that may be reused.
Opportunity for Connection
Are you planning to submit a proposal for the UseR 2025 conference at Duke? If so – we would love to connect. They are accepting proposals through Monday, March 10.
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