Rick McMullen Named Director Of Arkansas High Performance Computing Center

Rick McMullen, former director of research computing at the University of Kansas, has been appointed director of the Arkansas High Performance Computing Center. His appointment begins Aug. 13.

McMullen replaces Jack Cothren, associate professor of geosciences, and Douglas Spearot, assistant professor of mechanical engineering. Cothren and Spearot served as interim co-directors of the center after former director Amy Apon accepted an administrative position at Clemson University.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. McMullen as our new director of high-performance computing at the University of Arkansas,” said Jim Rankin, vice provost for research and economic development. “His research and leadership experience in many facets of research computing at both KU and Indiana University, as well as the Great Plains Network, ensure that we will continue to build upon the many great things we’ve accomplished in high-performance computing at the University of Arkansas. Speaking for myself and all faculty members and students associated with the center, we look forward to working with Dr. McMullen.”

In addition to his primary academic and administrative positions at the University of Kansas, McMullen has served as a research associate at the university’s Biodiversity Institute. He is also senior research associate wi

th the Great Plains Network, a large consortium of Midwestern universities that work together to connect each institution to the National Research and Education Network infrastructure, including Internet2, and to facilitate the use of advanced infrastructure across the network. The University of Arkansas is a member of the Great Plains Network.

At the University of Kansas, McMullen led the effort to develop research computing, communications and storage services to provide a university-wide, research computing infrastructure. At Indiana University, he spearheaded first- and second-generation technology exploration and development.

At the University of Arkansas, McMullen will also serve as a faculty member in the College of Engineering’s department of computer science and computer engineering.

The Arkansas High Performance Computing Center supports research in computer science, integrated nanoscience, computational chemistry, computational biomagnetics, materials science and spatial science.

The center is funded by grants from the National Science Foundation and the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority.

In early 2011, the center activated Razor, a new supercomputer acquired through National Science Foundation funding. Razor joined Star of Arkansas, a supercomputer the center has operated since 2009.