Data Analytics Center

The Data Analytics Center (DAC) will act as a central clearing house for researchers across the University grounds seeking assistance with the management or analysis of large-scale datasets. DAC will recruit experts with knowledge of in demand data analytics approaches such as Neural Network based Machine learning, as well as specific approaches for key domain areas. Additionally, DAC will recruit staff focused on negotiating access to external repositories of data and enabling integration with UVA data to form local repositories. To enable these goals DAC will build out a helpdesk to provide Tier 1 support (basic support and triage). To avoid duplicating efforts across grounds, DAC will leverage a mixture of in-house expertise from across Research Computing in key areas while connecting with existing areas of expertise in other units.  An “Analytics Resource Awards” program will support Tier 3 collaborations with DAC staff and with experts in other units.

The Data Analytics Center (DAC) within Research Computing (RC) is on a trajectory to become the hub for empowering researchers across the university with the advanced tools and expertise needed to manage and analyze large datasets. Our mission is to foster collaboration with faculty and drive research excellence at UVA. Since our inception in July 2023 and our launch on October 24, 2023, we have dedicated our first year to strategically expanding our team and offering targeted Analytics Resource Awards to catalyze innovative research endeavors.

Our recruitment plan was ambitiously aimed at bringing onboard two Neural Network experts, two Data Analysts, an Administrative Assistant, and a Data Manager within the first year. We have made significant strides towards this goal, successfully securing a Neural Network expert, two Data Analysts, and an Administrative Assistant. We completed a job search for the Data Manager position; the Data Manager will be starting in Aug. 2024.

Initially, we sought an analyst with a background in Digital Arts, Social Sciences, or Humanities; however, the scientific expertise of both analysts whom we hired aligns well with the current demands we have identified through our consultation services and ticketing system, ensuring we are equipped to address the scientific inquiries that are pivotal to our mission.

To increase awareness of the DAC services and to encourage principal investigators (Pis) to include DAC members in their grant proposals, we initiated the small Analytics Resource Awards. These awards, valued at up to $10,000, provide researchers with a voucher for computational services from either Research Computing or other centers across Grounds that provide services for data management or analysis. In the past year, we have developed and refined policies and procedures for awarding these grants, resulting in a fair number of proposals during our three submission periods since late 2023.

We have established a review process for these awards, which may include DAC services such as coding assistance, software selection, and data management. To assist researchers with budgeting for their projects, we recommend consultations with the Assistant Director of the DAC. We had three award cycles where proposals were accepted in November 2023, January 2024, and April 2024. We received a total of 16 proposals and awarded 10 of them. Our outreach efforts, particularly with the School of Medicine, resulted in an increase of proposal submissions from November 2023 to April 2024, demonstrating the growing interest and engagement with DAC's offerings.