Registration is now open for the next Ecosystem for Research Networking (ERN) Virtual Summit on April 22, 2026 – details are below, including a link to register. The program looks quite good; more information is forthcoming.
-Diane Goldenberg-Hart, CNI
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REGISTER HERE for this free virtual conference.
Zoom access will be provided only to registered attendees.
Please register by Friday, April 17 to secure your spot.
Join us for the virtual Ecosystem for Research Networking (ERN) Summit 2026 on April 22 from 12:00–5:00 PM ET as we explore this year’s theme: Beyond Resources: Integrating AI, Quantum, and the Workforce of the Future. This free national conference, focused on the transformative impacts AI and Quantum are having on academia and industry, brings together researchers, educators, cyberinfrastructure professionals, industry partners, and government leaders from both R1 and non-R1 institutions for an afternoon of forward-looking discussion and practical insight.
Our keynote speaker will be Masoud Mohseni, Ph.D., Senior Distinguished Technologist, Director of HPE Quantum, Hewlett Packard Labs, presenting “Heterogeneous Quantum–Classical Computing: Scaling Through Integration”. The keynote will be followed by three engaging panels exploring the impact of AI and Quantum on industry and academic partnerships for preparing the workforce, regional and national resources, and perspectives from non-R1 institutions.
We invite you to join in the conversation with representatives from industry, domain researchers, cyberinfrastructure professionals, and federal government agencies to discuss how these rapidly evolving technologies are impacting the research landscape.
Feel free to extend this invitation to your colleagues in academia, industry, government and not-for-profit organizations who may benefit from the sessions.
Summit 2026 Agenda
Wednesday, April 22 – 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET – Beyond Resources: Integrating AI, Quantum, and the Workforce of the Future
12:00 – 12:15 Welcome and Opening Remarks
Barr von Oehsen, Ph.D., Director Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center
12:15 – 1:15 Keynote “Heterogeneous Quantum–Classical Computing: Scaling Through Integration”
Masoud Mohseni, Ph.D., Senior Distinguished Technologist, Director of HPE Quantum, Hewlett Packard Labs
1:15 – 2:15 Panel 1: Building Sustainable Advanced Technologies: Industry and Academic Collaborations
Explore how industry, universities, national labs, and startups are partnering to accelerate AI and quantum innovation while building experiential workforce pathways.
2:15 -3:15 Panel 2: Democratizing Access: National Resources and Regional Initiatives
The panel examines national platforms and regional ecosystems that are expanding equitable access to the advanced infrastructure required by advanced technologies. Panelists will discuss federated models, hybrid workflows, and collaborative frameworks that enable broader participation in research and education
3:15 – 4:15 Panel 3: Research Data Management in the AI Era
The panel will discuss how governance, metadata standards, compliance, and secure data stewardship underpin reproducible advanced research and drive demand for new data management competencies.
4:15 – 4:45 Open Discussion and Collaboration
4:45 – 5:00 Closing Remarks
More details will be posted on the ERN website, https://ern.ci, once the schedule is finalized.
Any questions, let us know via email at info@ern.ci.
Thank you,
The ERN Steering Committee
Maureen Dougherty, Consultant, Summit Program Co-Chair
Forough Ghahramani, NJEdge, Summit Program Co-Chair
John Goodhue, MGHPCC
Jim Griffioen, University of Kentucky
Vasant Honavar, Pennsylvania State University
Florence Hudson, Northeast Big Data Innovation Hub
David Marble, OSHEAN
Carrie Rampp, Franklin & Marshall College
Barr von Oehsen, Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center
Yifeng Zhu, University of Maine
