University Times

Pitt researchers can increase their potential for faster, more efficient and effective real-world solutions to a range of problems through the Center for Simulation and Modeling, launched Oct. 24. The center allows faculty to address their research challenges through collaboration and increased computing power.

A joint project of the School of Arts and Sciences and the Swanson School of Engineering, the center comprises more than 50 faculty from such disciplines as chemistry, physics, biology, materials science, chemical and mechanical engineering, computer science and the social and health sciences. It is located in Bellefield Hall.

Faculty members have access to parallel processors — which allow simulations to run on several microprocessors at once — through the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center. This capability will allow Pitt researchers to tackle some of the biggest challenges in their fields — many of which require multi-scale modeling — increasing the potential to conduct transformational research in energy and sustainability, nanoscience and materials engineering, medicine, global public health, economics and other fields.

Several PhD-level computational experts will be hired through the center to assist faculty members and their more than 100 graduate students.

Co-directors are Kenneth Jordan, Distinguished Professor of Computational Chemistry, and J. Karl Johnson, interim chair, W. K. Whiteford Professor and National Energy Technology Laboratory faculty fellow of chemical and petroleum engineering in the Swanson School.