Chaitan Baru is Division Director for Science R&D at the San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California - San Diego. His research interests include the application of advanced information technologies in support of the day-to-day conduct of science (especially collaborative, interdisciplinary science). Specific IT/CS research topics of interest include database systems, data integration and synthesis, and cyberinfrastructure design in support of science applications. Dr. Baru serves NEON as Co-Chair of the IT & Communications Subcommittee, and as a member of the Senior Management Team and the National Network Design Committee.