Project Office News: February 2007
NEON Announces Candidate Core Sites
and Initial Research Design Questions
NEON, Inc. is pleased to announce a group of 20 candidate Core Sites across the United States that will be included in the NEON Project Execution Plan. The project's observing strategy, science gradients, and research themes are also described in the announcement. NEON, Inc. and the National Science Foundation greatly appreciate the organizations, agencies, and individuals who have contributed to the design of the Observatory so far. NEON will continue to solicit community input as the design process further evolves.
Core Site Map (1563x934; 567kB)
provided by David D. Greenlee, USGS/EDC
NEON Core Sites and Research Questions [pdf; 200kB]
Posted by djohnson on Wednesday February 28, at 3PM
ESA Invites Community Feedback on NEON Training and Education
The Ecological Society of America is conducting an online survey to gather community input on some of the unique training and education opportunities related to the National Ecological Observatory Network. NEON will incorporate feedback on education and training issues into its Preliminary Design Review with NSF, scheduled for 30 April - 4 May 2007. The questionnaire will be posted at the ESA web site until March 7, and can be found at http://www.esa.org/ neonsurvey.php . The survey will be followed by a Q&A session in Washington, DC in late March (date TBA) that will be webcasted live. Webcast participants will have the option to submit questions to the NEON panel over the phone.
Posted by djohnson on Wednesday February 28, at 10AM
NEON Selects Mathematician as Project Manager
Minnesota native Karin A. Remington has been named Project Manager for the National Ecological Observatory Network. Dr. Remington earned her Masters and Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Kentucky before receiving a two-year appointment as Householder Fellow in Scientific Computing at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She then joined the Mathematical Software Group at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, before moving to the Informatics Research group at Celera Genomics. Following the sequencing of the drosophila, human, mouse, and mosquito genomes, Dr. Remington joined Craig Venter at his then fledging Venter Institute in 2002, where she built a team of computational scientists and software engineers working in genome assembly, environmental genomics, and comparative genomics. Her work there ranged from a detailed comparative analysis of the dog, mouse, and human genome sequences to the comprehensive analysis of environmental samples from the Sargasso Sea. She brings an interest in large-scale scientific data collection and analysis and microbial ecology to her position as Project Manager for NEON.
Posted by djohnson on Tuesday February 27, at 8AM
Dear Colleagues: The Context for Selecting an Initial Slate of NEON Candidate Sites
At the highest level, the NEON site selection process has been guided by the Grand Challenge questions and the evolving Integrated Science and Education Plan (ISEP). In addition, colleagues from all parts of the United States have recently made invaluable contributions to the initial selection of candidate NEON sites. For details, see the letter from Jim MacMahon, NEON, Inc. Board Chairman, and Chris Field, Chairman of the Science, Technology, and Education Advisory Committee.
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23 February 2007 Dear Colleagues: Thanks again to everyone who submitted a response to the NEON Request for Information (RFI). NEON received over 60 responses, representing the investment of many thousands of hours of hard work and creativity. It is wonderful to see the outpouring of enthusiasm that NEON generates. The community’s commitment is a strong signal that the project is headed for success. We are writing to bring you up-to-date on the progress following receipt of the RFIs, which were due in January. We also want to clarify some process-related issues raised in emails and by phone. The week of 5 February, a scientific team selected by NSF and USGS met at the USGS EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls, SD. The team was comprised of some folks who have been working with NEON for several years, some who have modest association with NEON, and some who have had virtually no experience with NEON. All individuals were experts in areas that are directly relevant to NEON’s success. Tom Jorling and Kris Krishtalka attended the meetings to act as observers on behalf of NEON Inc. Dave Schimel and Jim MacMahon attended the last two days, to interact with the team and to receive their comments and suggestions. The Request for Information Workshop was not an NSF panel review. It was a workshop to refine the NEON design. The purpose of the workshop was to gain an understanding of the transformational research that NEON would enable, refine the science requirements, evaluate potential experiments and related infrastructure, create a spatial database for objective evaluation of core and gradient sites, perform spatial analyses and statistics for evaluating potential NEON sites, develop scientific criteria for site evaluation, and identify gaps in design or infrastructure. It was an attempt to get objective synthesis of the RFIs from a group of experts and to help organize the large number of submissions. The EROS Data Center had a wonderful set of their colleagues on hand to help get data about things like objective “representativeness” of a proposed site, feasibility of proposed experiments, etc. Over 60 individuals were contacted about participating in the Sioux Falls meeting. About 25 were available on the meeting dates. The list of invitees was chosen based on expertise, with no attempt to include or exclude people who have been working on any particular aspect of NEON. The NEON CEO (Dave Schimel), one of us (Jim MacMahon), and the two members of the NEON Board of Directors present at the meeting as observers felt very good about the openness of the conversations, the objectivity of the criteria, and the quality of the outcomes of the meeting. The week of 12 February, about a dozen people, picked by the NEON CEO, met in Boulder, CO, to make an initial pass at choosing sites, gradients, and experiments, building from the RFI responses and the results of the Sioux Falls meeting. This activity produced the first draft of a comprehensive NEON deployment plan. The two of us participated in the meeting and observed the process. Our focus was on assuring that all recommendations were aimed at giving NEON the maximum ability to address the Grand Challenge questions, based on criteria described in the RFI, and the NEON documents upon which it was based, especially the Integrated Science and Education Plan (ISEP). As you know, the RFI asked the scientific community to provide information to NEON Inc about the opportunities presented by specific sites. The RFI was not a call for proposals. It was rather a request for information on specific ways to align the physical layout of the Observatory with the Grand Challenge questions in a way that makes effective use of the resources that we hope will become available. The information in the RFI responses was extremely useful. In many cases, the responses highlighted new opportunities that had not been apparent to the submitters and had not been on the radar screens of the teams meeting in Sioux Falls or Boulder. In other cases, the responses led the teams to appreciate subtle constraints. For example, the cost implications of designs with sites spread over hundreds of miles became clear only as the cost estimators worked with specifics. In an effort to keep the design within striking distance of the cost guidelines, the teams focused on gradient designs with sites accessible from a domain core site in three hours or less. In some cases, the RFI responses led directly, with consideration of few or no alternatives, to specific recommendations for core and gradient sites. In others, the process of making recommendations was much more complex. Multiple responses, logistical issues, relevance to a number of Grand Challenge questions, and the need to harmonize regional and national constraints and opportunities all led to in-depth and often difficult discussions. It was particularly challenging to recommend particular core sites or gradients in cases where several were described in the RFI responses. It was also difficult to make recommendations where logistic constraints were extreme or where aspects of regional and national priorities were incompletely aligned. In several cases, the team in Boulder decided that it needed further information or material changes in the configuration of core and gradient sites. The lead individuals on the RFI responses were uniformly willing to help, even on short notice and when the additional information went beyond the specifics described in the RFI. Their willingness to cooperate fully in the development of a truly national plan was a wonderful expression of flexibility, creativity, and professionalism. On behalf of the broader NEON community, it is a privilege to express our thanks to all of these individuals. The plan developed at the Sioux Falls and Boulder meetings was taken to the NEON Inc Board of Directors on 22 and 23 February and was approved in its general direction, format and content. More revisions will be made. However, by mid-April, a nearly complete comprehensive plan must be included in the proposal that will be reviewed by an NSF panel. So, the bottom line is that the responses to the RFI played a central role in the emergence of a draft NEON deployment that is scientifically strong, technically feasible, and economically viable. The draft deployment plan will be made available as soon as possible. While the proposed deployment does not follow all of the recommendations from the RFI responses, it is strongly grounded in the information contained in each and every one. We expect that there will be individuals who feel that the proposed deployment ignores important sites or questions. We feel the same way. But we are also confident that the proposed deployment effectively builds on available sites and resources that enable NEON to address the Grand Challenge questions in a compelling and efficient way. The proposed NEON deployment plan will be reviewed by several groups between now and mid-April. At that point, the deployment plan will be largely finalized for submission to NSF, and the focus will shift to operational phases of the design. It is very exciting to see the NEON concept continue to gain in substance and detail, based on inputs from across the ecological community. Thanks to the entire community, the emerging structure reflects both broad input and disciplined, science-based assessment. NEON would not be where it is today, or anywhere near where it is today, without input from all of you. Again, thanks and congratulations.
Chris Field |
Posted by djohnson on Monday February 26, at 11AM
Immediate Opening for NEON Chief Scientist
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) has an immediate opening for a full-time Chief Scientist. The NEON Chief Scientist will lead the Observatory’s science functions and provide strategic guidance for the management, design, and development of the scientific infrastructure. The position will be based in Boulder, Colorado, and the Chief Scientist will report to NEON’s Chief Executive Officer. See the detailed job description.
NEON CHIEF SCIENTIST
The National Ecological Observatory Network office (NEON: www.neoninc.org), managed by the nonprofit NEON Corporation (NEON Inc.), has an immediate opening for a full-time Chief Scientist to oversee the development of NEON’s scientific capabilities. This position will be based in Boulder, Colorado with the potential to start as soon as 15 February.
NEON is a Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction project being developed for the National Science Foundation. The goal of NEON, Inc. is to deliver a continental-scale research instrument consisting of geographically distributed and networked infrastructure, including lab and field instrumentation, site-based experimental infrastructure, biodiversity archive facilities, and computational, analytical, and modeling capabilities.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Scientist shall lead NEON’s science functions and provide strategic guidance for the management, design, and development of the scientific infrastructure. This effort includes but is not limited to:
- Ensuring that the science undertaken by NEON is founded on the best and most current scientific understanding.
- Ensuring that NEON scientific capabilities are supported by NEON’s cyberinfrastructure, which requires:
- Working with the scientific community to define data collection protocols, QA/QC protocols (for both instruments and field campaigns), and data product production algorithms.
- Working with NEON’s cyberinfrastructure partners to translate these data requirements into system design specifications.
- Ensuring that NEON scientific capabilities are translated into a robust networked infrastructure, which requires working with the NEON Facilities Manager and each of the twenty lead Domain scientists to deploy the scientific infrastructure across the Nation.
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate should posses a PhD degree in a related field. The candidate should have 10 years professional experience in a leadership role with substantial supervisory responsibilities. Experience in research on large scale ecological processes, a demonstrated ability to lead large collaborative scientific efforts, and prior experience working with cyberinfrastructure specialists to develop scientific data systems is a plus. Strong communication and interpersonal presentation skills are key, owing to the extensive interaction across a broad range of individuals with diverse scientific backgrounds.
TO APPLY
Applications will be reviewed starting mid February 2007. This position will remain open until filled. Travel will be required and salary is commensurate with experience. This is a full-time, salaried position subject to the continuing availability of NSF funding. Benefits include health care, paid vacation, and retirement plan. Send cover letter, resume, salary history, and salary requirements to NEON Administrative Director, attn. NEON Chief Scientist Search, AIBS, 1444 Eye St. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005, FAX; 202-628-1509, bwee@aibs.org.
Posted by djohnson on Thursday February 15, at 12PM
NEON Site Visits on a Fast Track
A group of ecological scientists will begin evaluating the scientific and logistical characteristics of a subset of potential NEON research sites in late February. Information from these initial site visits will help the NEON Project Office prepare for its NSF Preliminary Design Review, scheduled for 30 April-4 May 2007. The first visits will focus on locations that represent the range of geographical extremes and challenges for NEON infrastructure. Site Visit Committee Chair Dr. Debra Peters (USDA Agricultural Research Service, Jornada Experimental Range, and adjunct associate professor at New Mexico State University) is selecting team members who specialize in towers, flux measurements, biota, and research logistics. The teams will evaluate proposed tower locations and logistical considerations, such as distance to roads, power supplies, and communications lines, as well as the availability of housing and laboratories for NEON staff. Peters has named two colleagues to the Committee: Dr. Alan Knapp (Colorado State University) and Dr. Beverly Law (Oregon State University).
Posted by djohnson on Friday February 2, at 2PM
Summaries of NEON RFI Responses Now Online
The NEON Project Office has received more than 60 responses from the ecological research community to its Request for Information. The RFI submissions include recommendations for research designs, experimental designs, and wildland sites where NEON observational resources could be deployed. In February, the RFI submissions will be evaluated twice: first, at an NSF workshop hosted by the USGS EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and then by the NEON design team in Boulder, Colorado.
Posted by djohnson on Friday February 2, at 2PM