Setting Research IT Priorities
April 30 – May 1, 2026, Reno, NV
- Awareness: What is Research IT?
- Capabilities: Nevada Research IT elements today
- Engagement: Discovering researchers’ technology needs
- Continuity: Regional approach for Team Science & critical expertise
- Culture: Building understanding and trust around research technology support
Workshop Registration
Conference Overview
Workshop sessions will overview current institutional Research IT programs, share Nevada researcher experiences with technology, and introduce regional support strategies and funding opportunities. Attendees will have ample opportunities to contribute along with fellow researchers, students, campus leaders, and research IT staff from across the Nevada System of Higher Education.
Guest speakers and Q&A panels will highlight research technology development efforts made by the Nevada System of Higher Education, the University of Nevada, Reno, the Desert Research Institute, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the national academic community.
Discovery and Planning sessions will continue laying the groundwork for campus and regional Research IT development priorities and resources. Social networking breaks will ensure that new connections can be forged between people across the NSHE community.
Curious about past workshops?
Take a look at our Workshop Archive to see details about the NV-DICE Research Technology Strategy Workshops of the past.
Agenda
DAY 1: UNR, Thursday April 30, 9:00am – 4:30pm
Joe Crowley Student Union (JCSU), Theater (morning) and Great Room (afternoon)
8:00 am
Registration opens (JCSU Theater)
9:00 am
Welcome and Introduction (JCSU Theater)
Dr. Sasi Pillay, UNR CIO
Dr. Scotty Strachan, NSHE
9:10 am
National community keynote: Modern Research IT Ecosystems
Lauren Michael, Internet2
9:50 am
Research IT building blocks: Funding & development strategies
Dr. Amy Apon, National Science Foundation
10:10 am
Coffee Social
10:30 am
Panel: Building Research IT Programs in Nevada
Ed Mitchell, DRI
Dr. Toolika Ghose, UNLV
Joel Zysman, UNR
11:15 am
Panel: Regional Opportunities with K-20, State Agencies, & National Resources
Dr. Dana Brunson, Internet2
Jen Leasure, The Quilt Consortium
Jennifer Oxenford, Pennsylvania KeystoneREN
Dr. William Savran, Nevada Seismological Laboratory
12:00 pm
Lunch Social (JCSU Great Room)
1:20 pm (JCSU Great Room)
Research and Technology in Practice: Tales from the Lab
Dr. Kyra Stull, UNR Anthropology
Dr. Jonathan Hilpert, UNLV Educational Psychology & Learning Analytics
Dr. Patrick Hurbain, DRI Environmental Epidemiology
Dr. Kavita Batra, UNLV School of Medicine
Dr. Anne Heggli, DRI Mountain Hydrometeorology
2:30 pm
Coffee Social
3:00 pm
Science Data Management Challenges in Nevada
Genevieve Milliken, UNLV Data Librarian
Chrissy Klenke, UNR Earth Sciences, GIS, & Maps Librarian
3:20 pm
Institutional Focus Breakouts
4:10 pm
Discussion: Digital Transformation & Research Technology Support
Kivanc Oner, UNLV CIO
4:30 pm
Workshop Adjourns
DAY 2: DRI Reno, Friday May 1, 9:00am – 4:00pm
Stout Conference Room (enter at the DRI main entrance behind the flagpole)
9:00 am
Welcome (DRI Stout Conference Room)
Brandon Peterson, DRI CIO
9:10 am
Workshop Introduction & Facilitator’s Overview
Lauren Michael, Internet2
9:30 am
Facilitated Breakout 1 – Campus Focus on IT Landscape & Opportunities
10:30 am
Coffee Social
11:00 am
Facilitated Breakout 2 – Campus Focus on Priorities & Success Objectives
12:00 pm
Catered Lunch (DRI Stout Conference Room)
1:00 pm
Facilitated Breakout 3 – Regional Collaboration Opportunities & Priorities
2:00 pm
Coffee Social
2:30 pm
Facilitated Breakout 4 – Regional Collaboration Deep Dives
3:30 pm
Wrap-up & Leadership Remarks
4:00 pm
Workshop Adjourns