2026 Midwest RCD Consortium Annual Network Meeting

Panelists: Geoffrey Lentner, Kyle Chard, Adnan Hafeez, and Lev Gorenstein. 
Facilitator: Corinne Adams
Focus: Researchers will present real-world implementations of Globus Compute, showing how it’s used to run AI tools and workflows across diverse HPC environments. The panel will cover programmatic solutions for automatically maintaining consistent environments (including Python versions), recent service updates, and tips for customizing and deploying workflows efficiently. Attendees will also have opportunities for questions and discussion throughout the session. Key takeaways:

• Applying Globus Compute to support AI workflows and tools
• Easily moving work between HPC environments and schedulers
• Connecting with support resources and the Globus community

Facilitators: Brock Palen & Todd Shechter

Please see the attached PDF for an overview of how the discussion will be structured during the session. It includes a set of guiding questions we encourage you to think through and be ready to share with the group.

Focus: Hardware prices are fluctuating wildly, vendor quotes expire in days, and supply-chain delays continue to hit compute and storage planning across higher ed. Hosted by the Midwest RCD Next Gen Data Center Affinity Group, this open conversation invites members to swap stories, compare coping strategies, and discuss what’s working (and what’s not) as we all try to navigate the current chaos. Bring your experiences, frustrations, and any creative workarounds you’ve found. Key takeaways: 

• Practical strategies for stretching existing compute and storage resources during market instability.
• Insights on navigating vendor pricing volatility, short quote windows, and procurement challenges.
• Shared experiences on when to delay purchases, when to pivot, and how to plan refresh cycles in an unpredictable market.
• Opportunities for cross-institution collaboration or shared approaches to mitigate risk and costs.