News

GPN Joins Arkansas for It’s Annual ARE-ON Conference

Mickey Slimp, GPN Executive Director, recently attended ARE-ON’s annual conference.  Here is a rundown of the speakers.  (This was taken from ARE-ON’s LinkedIn page. Please visit it to see the list of sponsors and stay in touch with ARE-ON.)

Day 1 Highlights (October 8)

• ARE-ON’s 2025 Roadmap: Elon Turner, Executive Director of ARE-ON, and the rest of the ARE-ON leadership presented the organization’s strategic direction and goals for 2025. They provided updates on network investments and new services for the membership.

• Partner Presentations:
• Mickey Slimp from the Great Plains Network discussed regional research cyberinfrastructure and collaboration opportunities, highlighting the potential for enhanced network performance and major projects linking ARE-ON to wider networks.
• Michael Wallace from UAMS E-Link provided insights on maximizing USAC rural healthcare benefits. Michael covered USAC RHC Program overview and technology refresh funding programs, offering valuable information for ARE-ON’s member institutions.
• Technology Briefing by Juniper Networks : This session delved into AI-driven networking technologies, exploring how Juniper Mist integrates AI to predict network issues, optimize traffic flows, and automatically resolve problems in real-time.

Day 2 Highlights (October 9)

• Keynote Address: Glen E. Howie, MPA , Arkansas Broadband Director, delivered a talk on “Broadband Beyond Cables: Unleashing BEAD’s Hidden Potential.” He explored innovative ways to leverage existing broadband connections under the BEAD program, discussing opportunities for education, telehealth, agriculture.

• State of Higher Ed IT Fireside Chat: A panel featuring Mike Ming (UA Fort Smith), Ed Adams (East Arkansas Community College), and Stephen Tycer (UA Fayetteville) discussed current trends and challenges in higher education IT, offering insights from their institutional perspectives.

• Breakout Sessions:
• IT Leadership Round Table (Moderated by Elon Turner): Focused on topics for IT leaders & managers.
• IT Security Round Table (Moderated by Eric Wall, CISSP, CISM ): A panel discussion with higher-ed security leaders on current cybersecurity issues and future trends.
• IT Infrastructure Round Table (Moderated by Scott Ramoly & Steven Karp): Covered key infrastructure challenges and solutions.
• Sponsor Presentations:
• Logical Front showcased managed solutions for IT efficiency on the ARE-ON network, including state-of-the-art backups and disaster recovery solutions.
• SentinelOne demonstrated the use of AI in reducing time and experience barriers in security operations, with live demonstrations of AI applications in cybersecurity.
• Next Step Innovation explored the pros and cons of vCISO services, discussing cost-efficiency, expert guidance, and enhanced cyber resilience.
• Complete Computing, in partnership with Barracuda Networks, presented strategies for Microsoft 365 tenant security, covering topics such as conditional access policies, data loss prevention, and advanced threat protection.

InCommon Interview with UW-Madison CIO Lois Brooks

There are other benefits to InCommon besides secure single sign on.  See what Lois says about them here.

GPN Quantum Research Collaboration Workshop Held at America’s Underground Lab

A July Quantum Research Collaboration Workshop, held at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota, was a landmark event for quantum research community in the Midwest. This two-day workshop, organized by the South Dakota Quantum Center Initiative in partnership with the Great Plains Network (GPN) and The Institute for Underground Science at SURF, brought together researchers, educators, and institutional representatives to foster new projects and collaborations in quantum science. 

A Networking Kickoff

Participants first connected at the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center and delved into the rich history of the region. From its origins as the deepest gold mine in the Northern Hemisphere to its transformation into a hub for Nobel Prize-winning science and cosmic exploration, the story of SURF set an inspiring tone for the event.

Institutional Overviews and Quantum Initiatives

The first day featured a series of institutional overviews, providing insights into the missions and visions of key organizations driving quantum research in the Midwest. Representatives from SURF, GPN, Dakota State University, and the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology shared their ongoing projects and future plans. This session highlighted the collaborative spirit and collective ambition of these institutions.

Participants also explored the latest quantum initiatives led by the South Dakota Quantum Center. Discussions on the potential GPN Quantum Network sparked excitement, as attendees considered the possibilities of creating a robust and interconnected quantum research community.

Quantum Curriculum Development

A significant portion of the workshop was dedicated to the evolving landscape of quantum education and training. Experts in the field discussed curriculum development and implementation strategies, emphasizing the importance of preparing the next generation of quantum scientists. The exchange of ideas and best practices in this session laid the groundwork for future educational collaborations.

Brainstorming Forum

The brainstorming forum was a dynamic and engaging part of the workshop. Attendees participated in lively discussions to identify collaborative opportunities and chart the course for future quantum endeavors. This forum allowed for the cross-pollination of ideas and the formation of new partnerships,
underscoring the event’s goal of fostering connections within the quantum research community.

Technology Leaders and Quantum Researchers

The workshop was notably attended by technology leaders and quantum researchers from five GPN states: South Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri.  This diverse representation enriched the discussions and helped build a more comprehensive network of quantum research initiatives across the region.

Oh gosh because I don’t need both of those

Surface Tour of SURF

Participants also had the opportunity to explore the surface laboratories at SURF. This tour provided a firsthand look at the cutting-edge facilities and ongoing research projects at the site, further inspiring attendees and showcasing the possibilities of underground science.

Conclusion: A Step Forward in Quantum Research Collaboration

The Quantum Research Collaboration Workshop at SURF was a resounding success. It achieved its aim of forging connections and fostering new project ideas within the GPN quantum research community. By bringing together a diverse group of experts and institutions, the event set the stage for future collaborations and advancements in quantum science.

As the workshop concluded, attendees left with new insights, partnership possibilities, and a renewed commitment to pushing the boundaries of quantum research. The event marked a significant step forward in building a vibrant and interconnected quantum research community for South Dakota, the Great Plains Network and beyond.

For more information, contact:
• Mickey Slimp, GPN <mick@greatplains.net>
• Stacie Granum, The Institute for Underground Science at SURF <sgranum@sanfordlab.org>

GPN Annual Meeting, Part 2

The GPN Annual Meeting in Lincoln Nebraska featured a Precision agricultural track.  Three tours were included: a radio station, research farm, and greenhouse.

The official name of the greenhouse is the Greenhouse Innovation Center.  Please watch the video on their website to see the plants move on conveyor belts. The greenhouse is climate controlled and holds over 600 pots when full. It conducts research for grants and outside commercial companies.

What makes this greenhouse special is a series of cameras which record various aspects of the plants as they grow. When at full capacity, it takes 23 1/2 hours to photograph every one.  Each pot is labeled so all data is tied to it throughout the study.

Different strains can be studied under identical conditions, or the same strain can be compared with different environmental aspects, such as more or less water and nutrients.  The pots have no drain holes in them, so precise amounts are added when its weight is below a specific amount.

Two things stood out about this tour for me. The first was that plants sleep like other living creatures. When they are photographed at night, they pass through a lighted “wake up” chamber beforehand.

The second was illustrated a chive (the ones commonly growing in our yards) drought study. Those watered the least flowered earlier than the well watered ones.  Plants want to survive and reproduce. When resources are scarce, they flower as quickly as possible in order to propagate themselves. With ample resources, they take their time and grow larger and have more blooms. Are there situations where an early, smaller crop is preferable to a later, larger crop?