/tag/rc
Beyond the Classroom: How UVA Students Are Shaping & Growing Through Research Computing
Where next-gen technology meets real mentorship, UVA Research Computing is powering more than research — it’s empowering careers. Each semester, a small cohort of student workers joins Research Computing, a team within UVA Information Technology Services, to contribute to essential tools, systems, and services that support research across the University.
The program was designed to create a sustainable, scalable student workforce that enhances Research Computing’s operational efficiency and strengthens its service and support offerings.
In the interviews below, three student workers reflect on how hands-on projects, mentorship, and real-world challenges helped them grow not only in their technical skills but also as communicators, collaborators, and emerging professionals.
Student Q&A: Hari Periyasamy on Learning to Lead Through Code and Collaboration
As a student worker at UVA Research Computing, Hari Periyasamy gained practical experience in software development while taking on leadership roles. He contributed to maintaining and improving the team’s website, developed APIs, and helped onboard and support fellow students. Through these opportunities, Hari built important skills in teamwork, communication, and professional software development. In this Q&A, he shares how his time at Research Computing expanded his technical knowledge, boosted his confidence in public speaking, and prepared him for a software engineering internship at Amazon.
Hari Periyasamy Major: Computer Science and Applied Statistics
Relevant Interests: Software development
Previous Experience: I served as the program mentor in the UVA Development Hub, working alongside a Research Computing staff member.
Student Q&A: Jennifer Vo on Building Confidence, Community, and a Career in Research Computing
As a student worker at UVA Research Computing, Jennifer Vo blended technical development with community outreach. She enhanced the Research Computing Learning site, streamlined internal workflows, and represented the team at national workshops. In this Q&A, she reflects on how hands-on projects, mentorship, and cross-disciplinary collaboration helped her grow as both a developer and communicator. That growth played a direct role in helping her secure a full-time position after graduation.
Jennifer Vo Major: Computer Science in the Engineering School
Minor: Data Science
Relevant Interests & Previous Experience:
At UVA, I worked as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for a few CS classes including Computer Game Design and Software Development Essentials.
Student Q&A: Matthew Galitz on Designing Tools That Power UVA Research
As a student worker at UVA Research Computing, Matthew Galitz gained hands-on experience in software engineering and machine learning, fields he is passionate about. He led projects that created practical tools to help researchers across UVA find collaborators and manage their work more efficiently. Through this experience, Matthew developed important professional skills like collaboration, communication, and project ownership. In this Q&A, he shares how working alongside experts and tackling real-world challenges helped prepare him for his future career.
Matthew Galitz Major: Mathematics & Computer Science
Relevant Interests: Software Engineering, Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence
Previous Experience: Software Development Engineer Intern at AWS
Support Services
We offer a variety of services, most of which are provided at no charge to the researcher.
Training and Technical Support Research Computing provides training for the use of our systems. The training includes onboarding, introductory sessions, and computational workshops. We also provide customized group trainings which you can request here.
We provide technical support to researchers by assisting with system access issues and troubleshooting computational problems on our systems. To receive online technical support, researchers can submit a ticket. We also have weekly virtual office hours where researchers can speak to Research Computing staff. Training and Technical Support are provided at no charge.
Digital Technology Core
Support for research using modern wearables, smartwatches, smartphones, and IoT devices.
The DTC is a one stop shop for researchers conducting experiments with modern wearables, smartwatches, smartphones, and IoT devices. The DTC exists to make it faster, easier, and more affordable to use modern consumer devices in research. Whether you’re just getting started with devices/apps in your research or have a long track record, the DTC can meet you where you’re at and provide the services you need.
What can the Digital Technology Core do for me? The DTC understands different teams have different needs. We are open to working with you in the way that is best for you.
UVA Research Computing Exhibition: April 23, 2025
Join us for our annual UVA Research Computing Exhibition:
Wednesday, April 23, 10am - 2pm
in the
Newcomb Hall Ballroom
Drop by anytime!
The UVA Research Computing Exhibition showcases the incredible research happening across UVA. Whether you are interested in sharing your research or discovering what others are working on, this exhibition offers the opportunity to:
See and discuss research posters
Hear Lightning Talks from UVA faculty
Learn about resources for research
Explore diverse research methods
Find potential collaborators
Connect with the broader research community
Enjoy free food and beverages
Exhibition Agenda Attendees can drop by anytime.
8:30-9:30am — Participant Sign-In and Poster Setup
Data Analytics Center
Assisting Researchers across Grounds with Big Data Management and Analysis The DAC offers comprehensive support for projects on Research Computing platforms at every stage, from initial grant proposals and data ingestion to the development of finalized models and manuscript preparation, ensuring effective and efficient use of high-performance computing resources. Our consultants provide tailored guidance and technical support to researchers to ensure that their projects benefit from the latest methodologies and best practices in big data analytics.
Our team consists of experts with diverse backgrounds, offering a wealth of knowledge and experience in various domains, including bioinformatics, AI and machine learning, drug discovery, statistical analysis, image processing, high-performance computing, and data management and compliance, among others.
RC Exhibition Call for Posters: March 31, 2025
Important Dates
New Submission Date: March 31, 2025
UVA RC Exhibition: April 23, 2025:
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Everyone is welcome to attend the Exhibition on April 23rd, at the Newcomb Hall Ballroom, 10:00am - 2:00pm.
Our Exhibition includes a judged poster competition with travel awards presented to the winning finalists. If you have used Research Computing resources to support your research, we invite you to submit a poster! Posters should reflect how you have used these resources to support your research.
Three finalists will be recognized with a travel award that can be used for professional travel such as conferences, meetings of professional associations, or other travel related to your research.
Data Analytics Center / Digital Humanities Center Fellowship
The Scholars’ Lab, the UVA Library Digital Humanities Center (DHC), and the Data Analytics Center (DAC) are delighted to announce a new fellowship opportunity.
The 2025 Data Analytics Center-Digital Humanities Center Fellowship is open for proposals from UVA faculty and graduate students. This is an experimental iteration encouraging the use of high-performance computing resources in the humanities, as well as identifying digital humanities research and teaching that could benefit from support from DHC and DAC. Possible projects might utilize AI, gaming platforms, imaging tools, geospatial technologies, use of new tools, and more.
The awarded team will consist of one faculty and one graduate student collaborating on humanities research in the University of Virginia.
UVA Research Computing Exhibition: April 23, 2024
About This Event: The Research Computing Exhibition will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 in the Newcomb Hall Ballroom. The event will include:
A panel discussion made up of academic scientific computing experts and research computing faculty and staff. Judged poster session with prizes: First Place: $3,000 travel voucher Second Place: $2,000 travel voucher Third Place: $1,000 travel voucher Light refreshments If you would like to participate in the poster session, please fill out the Intent to Participate Form by Friday, March 15. While all are welcome to present a poster during the exhibition, only UVA affiliated non-faculty submissions will be eligible for the award prizes.
Mission
Research Computing empowers UVA researchers to achieve more with cutting-edge computational resources. Our support team strives to create innovative solutions for researchers who need help solving complex optimization, parallelization, workflow, and data analysis issues. We build and maintain the University’s best computing platforms while educating the next generation of researchers on the power of advanced computing.
Research Computing Student Workers
The Research Computing Student Worker Program is dedicated to supporting RC staff and advancing computational research at UVA. Through this program, student workers will undertake short-term projects, relieving RC staff of certain responsibilities and allowing them to devote more time to scaling support for complex, research-domain endeavors. This initiative not only benefits RC staff but also provides students with valuable exposure to high-performance computing (HPC) and scientific computing early in their academic journey. Student Manager: Gladys K. Andino, PhD, Strategic Services and Education Manager For any questions, please email rc-studentjobs@virginia.edu. Check out our Student Workers!
Bhargav Garre Venkata Muneer Khan Namai Kureishi Diana Lin Ivey Mistele Mohan Shankar Steven Siadaty Dominic Tran Megan Vu Interested in Becoming a Student Worker?
Research Computing Staff
Acknowledgement in Publications
Recognition and documentation of the contribution that Research Computing’s systems and support play in breakthrough research is essential to ensuring continued support for and availability of cutting-edge computing resources at The University of Virginia. Please cite UVA Research Computing in any research report, journal article, or other publication that requires citation of an author’s contributions.
Suggested format:
The authors acknowledge Research Computing at The University of Virginia for providing computational resources and technical support that have contributed to the results reported within this publication. URL: https://rc.virginia.edu
What is Research Computing?
UVA Research Computing (RC) is a new program that aims to support computational biomedical research by providing advanced cyberinfrastructure and expertise in data analysis at scale. Our mission is to foster a culture of computational thinking and promote interdisciplinary collaboration in various data-driven research domains. We offer services related to high performance computing, cloud architecture, scientific programming and big data solutions. We also aim to promote computationally intensive research at UVA through collaborative efforts such as UVA’s own CADRE (Computation And Data Resource Exchange) and XSEDE (Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment).
One of our driving philosophies is that researchers already have medical and scientific expertise, and should not have to become computing experts on top of that.
