Award Abstract # 2148506
Collaborative Research: Facility: CSDMS: Engaging a thriving community of practice in Earth-surface dynamics

NSF Org: EAR
Division Of Earth Sciences
Recipient: THE ADMINISTRATORS OF TULANE EDUCATIONAL FUND
Initial Amendment Date: July 20, 2022
Latest Amendment Date: January 5, 2024
Award Number: 2148506
Award Instrument: Continuing Grant
Program Manager: Raleigh Martin
ramartin@nsf.gov
 (703)292-7199
EAR
 Division Of Earth Sciences
GEO
 Directorate for Geosciences
Start Date: September 1, 2022
End Date: August 31, 2027 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $66,628.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $39,174.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2022 = $12,801.00
FY 2023 = $26,373.00
History of Investigator:
  • Kyle Straub (Principal Investigator)
    kmstraub@tulane.edu
  • Nicole Gasparini (Former Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Tulane University
6823 SAINT CHARLES AVE
NEW ORLEANS
LA  US  70118-5665
(504)865-4000
Sponsor Congressional District: 01
Primary Place of Performance: Tulane University
LA  US  70118-5698
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
01
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): XNY5ULPU8EN6
Parent UEI: XNY5ULPU8EN6
NSF Program(s): GEOINFORMATICS
Primary Program Source: 01002223DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
01002627DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT

01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT

01002425DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT

01002324DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s):
Program Element Code(s): 725500
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.050

ABSTRACT

Natural processes such river floods, landslides, hurricanes, stream meandering, and coastal erosion continually alter Earth's landscapes, seascapes, and coastlines. From an engineering perspective, such processes can pose hazards to people and can damage infrastructure. From a scientific perspective, these same processes are responsible for shaping the Earth's surface and creating the sedimentary deposits that contain useful resources as well as critical archives of our planet's history. One of the key tools that scientists use to study Earth-surface processes is computer simulation modeling. Computer models, which use equations and algorithms to simulate natural processes, provide a way to perform controlled experiments on geological systems and to compare theory with a rapidly growing body of data about Earth's dynamic environment. Recent advances in both data and computing technology have opened new possibilities for discovery. To unlock this potential, this project, which supports continuing operations of the Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System (CSDMS) Geoinformatics facility, provides training and technology development that will bridge the gap between the power of today?s digital resources and the ability of the Earth-surface processes research community to take full advantage of them. CSDMS combines intellectual merit, in the form of new and improved digital resources for Earth science research, and broader impacts, in the form of training and workforce development for students and early career scientists.

Recent advances in both data and cyberinfrastructure have opened new possibilities for understanding the dynamics of Earth's surface. To unlock this potential, the CSDMS facility combines community capacity-building and technology development to bridge the gap between today's powerful cyber resources and the ability of the research community to take full advantage of them. CSDMS provides training, workforce development, online learning resources, and outreach to traditionally underrepresented groups, alongside innovative cyberinfrastructure that speeds the time to science by lowering technical barriers. CSDMS's intellectual merit lies in its contribution toward developing a quantitative, mechanistic understanding of diverse Earth-surface processes. This goal is advanced in part through new technology, such as the ability to launch models from an online repository to a cloud-hosted computing platform, and new tools to make community software contributions more sustainable via shared, auto-tested repositories. CSDMS's broader impacts include education and workforce development, through programs such as a summer school in geoscience computing, annual scientific meetings, and onsite training visits that provide educational opportunities for students and early career scientists at a variety of higher-education institutions.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.

Print this page

Back to Top of page