cloud computing

PhD student wins Fellowship for her work in cloud storage

Tama Moni — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 16:24:43 +0000

PhD student wins Fellowship for her work in cloud storage Tama Moni Thu, 09/15/2022 - 12:24

Ioanna Karantaidou

Ioanna Karantaidou, a PhD student in George Mason University’s College of Engineering and Computing’s Computer Science Department, has won a one-year fellowship from Protocol Labs, where she will work on their Fielcoin project, investigating innovations in cloud storage. Her fellowship is for $60k, which will cover tuition, travel, healthcare costs, and salary.

Cloud storage is dominated by a few large organizations and Filecoin seeks to decentralize this important service by allowing numerous small entities to provide storage –– even someone with a hard drive could sign up as a provider. But while users may be comfortable saving files in an established company such as Google Drive, they may not have the same trust in a decentralized service with which they are unfamiliar. Karantaidou’s work centers on establishing protocols that will test to ensure service providers are behaving honestly and incentivize them to do so. The goal is for these measures to ultimately lead to greater client trust and more widespread use of decentralized cloud storage services.

Karantaidou says her journey into the field “makes sense.” Growing up in Greece she enjoyed math and wanted to study computers, so got involved in informatics. She says, “In Greece, you don’t have a double major, so I have two bachelor’s degrees - in math and computer science - and cryptography is at the intersection of those two. It was my favorite class in both programs.”

Karantaidou’s advisor at Mason is Foteini Baldimtsi, an assistant professor in the computer science department.

Topics

cloud computing

Fellowships

computer science

NSF CAREER Award funds faculty member’s mission to expand cloud’s capabilities

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 13:03:49 +0000

NSF CAREER Award funds faculty member’s mission to expand cloud’s capabilities Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 06/15/2021 - 09:03

Social media platforms and dozens of other web and mobile apps generate countless amounts of data. And with a constant flux of data comes a continuous need for high-performance and highly scalable ways to store and access this data. Yue Cheng, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science, won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to meet the needs of the big data industry.

Cheng and his research team will use the nearly $580,000 award “Harnessing Serverless Functions to Build Highly Elastic Cloud Storage Infrastructure” to develop a scalable and cost-effective cloud computing storage system using serverless computing.

“We are researching new ways of using emerging serverless computing capabilities to build a high-performance cloud storage infrastructure,” says Cheng. “Serverless computing is the next generation of cloud.”

Cheng’s new infrastructure, InfiniStore, will reduce the cost and need for manual storage management, says Cheng.

Conventional cloud computing uses virtual machines (VM) that are rented out to cloud users. “The user pays for whatever resources they need, and while it gives great flexibility, the VM-based model isn’t the most effective nor elastic. Cloud service providers still charge for space and capacity that is reserved but not in use. Cloud users also must manually start or stop virtual machines to best suit their needs.”

Serverless computing is the solution to cost and resource issues under the conventional VM model. Because of its inherent elasticity, it can scale up and down autonomously. Since it doesn’t require a space reservation, like with VMs, Cheng can implement a new cloud storage pricing model based on usage.

“Let’s say at one point in time there are no requests, and no cloud function is launched. And a later point in time, there is a huge spike in data access requests. The elastic storage would automatically trigger thousands of cloud functions, each serving as a tiny little data storage unit, to serve this spike of data access requests, and the cloud user is only charged when the data stored in cloud functions are accessed,” says Cheng.

Cheng’s project includes collaborations with industry leaders like NetApp and IBM Research and fellow researchers at Mason. In addition to the development of InfiniStore, the grant also consists of an educational plan centered around teaching serverless computing and increasing access for undergraduate students to participate in leading research.

“We will design a new cloud service called InfiniCloud, which is a digital and interactive notebook service that allows students and educators to implement, write, and deploy serial and parallel Python programs at any scale,” says Cheng. “We will also start an outreach plan to promote diversity in computing and engage undergraduate students in computing research.”

Cheng stresses the importance of advancing computing capabilities and allowing students and educators access too. “This project will support big data storage, which is extremely important, but I am also committed to introducing undergrad students to this state-of-the-art field in cloud computing,” says Cheng.

“Yue’s NSF CAREER Award comes at a time of nearly universal reliance on cloud services to support critical enterprise functions. His research will realize significant improvements in the ways that cloud resources are allocated to end-users, through innovations in cloud storage technology,” says Department of Computer Science Chair David Rosenblum. “And the educational plan he has devised will give Mason students significant hands-on learning opportunities with this important area of computing technology.”

Topics

cloud computing

Big Data

Awards

Rock Christopher Sabetto

Martha Bushong — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 20:56:18 +0000

Rock Christopher Sabetto Martha Bushong Fri, 02/19/2021 - 15:56

Cyber Security Engineering, Adjunct

Contact Information

rsabetto@gmu.edu

Biography

Rock Sabetto has worked in many roles during his engineering career, including technology researcher, adjunct professor, chief engineer, technology consultant, systems engineer, software and database developer, military officer, and undergraduate teaching assistant. Sabetto’s current research and analysis focuses on cloud computing security. As a George Mason adjunct, he leads the Cyber Security Engineering Capstone program in the Volgenau School of Engineering.

Mason launches cloud computing professional certificate to give employees a competitive advantage

Martha Bushong — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 12:52:16 +0000

Mason launches cloud computing professional certificate to give employees a competitive advantage Martha Bushong Wed, 07/29/2020 - 08:52

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a torrent of stormy economic forecasts, but for employees with experience and certification in cloud computing, the coming days look sunny.

Beginning in October, faculty from George Mason University’s Department of Information Sciences & Technology will offer a suite of online courses to working professionals who want to gain a competitive advantage in this high-demand field through the university’s Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) division. The professional certificate provides a solid foundation for cloud services management and for building, deploying, and maintaining various cloud models and applications.

“This certificate elevates the great work our faculty are doing and allows to take advantage of Mason talent,” says Marc Austin, executive director of the Continuing and Professional Education division and academic ventures for the university.

Students completing the professional certificate will have learned some of the core competencies tested when taking Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) Certification exams, such as the Foundational Certification (AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner), Associate Certifications (e.g. AWS Certified Solutions Architect, AWS Certified Developer), and Specialty Certifications (e.g. AWS Certified Data Analytics, AWS Certified Security). The certificate was designed for a variety of roles, including DevOps Engineer and Cloud Security Architect.

“Building a pipeline of qualified cloud talent is vital for AWS and our industry as a whole,” said Ken Eisner, director of worldwide education programs for AWS and head of AWS Educate. “George Mason University’s five-course cloud offering provides learners with a direct pathway to skill up for cloud careers in growing fields.”

Kammy Sanghera, interim executive director for the Institute of Digital InnovAtion (IDIA), said, “The upskilling, and retraining associated with this new certificate, is one of the many ways that Mason continues to partner with industries, serve the community, and promote economic growth.”

The courses are designed for working professionals who have prior knowledge in the field, who can handle the demanding workload and can balance multiple tasks at the same time.

The professional certificate consists of five courses designed to help students gain specific knowledge and skills at a lower price than a traditional degree. Once they complete the suite of courses, they also earn an employer-recognized digital badge. The badge enables them to highlight their new expertise in resumes or LinkedIn profiles.

The coursework will require students to build, deploy, implement, optimize, test cloud service infrastructure and applications on an actual cloud platform, such as AWS.

The launch of the new cloud computing certificate follows “[George] Mason’s long history of partnership with industry to deliver high demand knowledge and skills in real-time,” says Liza Wilson Durant, associate dean for strategic initiatives and community engagement. “The new certificate enables us to bring our cloud computing expertise to a broader audience of learners beyond the traditional student and support the expansion of a highly-skilled workforce on a regional and national scale.”

Request information

See our program flyer.

Mason, NOVA, Amazon degree program is lauded

Damian Cristodero — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 19:44:44 +0000

Mason, NOVA, Amazon degree program is lauded Damian Cristodero Mon, 12/09/2019 - 14:44

Adeline Kon/Education Dive

The new four-year degree pathway in cloud computing between George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), and developed with Amazon Web Services Educate, has been named Partnership of the Year by Education Dive.

The degree pathway will be launched in the fall of 2020 as part of the ADVANCE Program, Mason’s partnership with NOVA that streamlines paths to four-year degrees, eliminates transfer obstacles and saves students money. The degree will provide a clear path to high-demand careers in cloud computing with Amazon Web Services partners and customers.

“We’re honored to have the cloud computing pathway recognized by Education Dive,” said Michelle Marks, Mason’s vice president for academic innovation and new ventures. “Our students are the real winners. Launching this new pathway through ADVANCE allows us to be responsive to this fast-growing job market and will be a giant step toward creating a tech talent pipeline that reflects the diversity of our region. We’re grateful to have partners that share Mason’s commitment to innovation and access.”

Mason and NOVA faculty worked with AWS Educate curriculum designers to create the Bachelor of Applied Science degree that will equip students with the technical skills and hands-on experience that will prepare them for careers in cloud architecture, cybersecurity and software development.

The degree pathway is open to students who want to begin at NOVA and transfer to Mason, or to students who come to Mason as freshmen.

“We’re really reaching the population that we’ve committed to serve, which is students from all backgrounds and all socioeconomic experiences,” said Liza Wilson Durant, an associate dean for strategic initiatives and community engagement in Mason’s Volgenau School of Engineering. “The collaboration with AWS helps give our students a competitive edge.”

Mason, NOVA announce joint degree program in partnership with Amazon Web Services

Melanie Balog — Wed, 12 Jun 2019 21:02:50 +0000

Mason, NOVA announce joint degree program in partnership with Amazon Web Services Melanie Balog Wed, 06/12/2019 - 17:02

Dolica Gopisetty, left, and Shadman Hossain, third from left, are George Mason University students representing the AWS Sector Summit in Washington, D.C. Photo by John David Hollis.

George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) have announced a new bachelor degree program in cloud computing in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The new Bachelor of Applied Science pathway in Cloud Computing degree will offer a seamless transfer pathway from a two-year associate degree to a four-year bachelor’s degree in cloud computing. The formal announcement came Tuesday at the AWS Public Sector Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

“We are proud to be part of a collaboration that is working to expand Virginia’s tech talent pipeline,” Mason President Ángel Cabrera said. “This degree pathway marks the beginning of a ground-breaking initiative that will deliver innovative educational opportunities to students across the commonwealth. The collaboration with AWS helps give our students—and our region—a competitive edge.”

The new degree program has been designed to guide students through NOVA to bachelor’s degree completion at Mason. NOVA and Mason faculty worked in unison with AWS Educate curriculum designers to create a path that will help students pursue careers in cloud architecture, cybersecurity, software development and DevOps, a system of software development and delivery.

“This new pathway demonstrates our commitment to creating both educational and employment access,” said Michelle Marks, vice president of academic innovation and new ventures. “These students will be prepared to compete for our region’s most in-demand jobs.”

Mason students Dolica Gopisetty and Shadman Hossain were among six college students enrolled in cloud computing degree programs who shared their experiences during a panel at Tuesday’s summit.

“What I wanted to get across was how important cloud computing is and how important it is for kids to get into cloud,” said Gopisetty, a senior information technology major from the Volgenau School of Engineering. “They’re able to grasp anything complex very quickly.”

The Northern Virginia region is home to one of the largest concentrations of IT jobs in the nation, as well as one of the greatest demands for employees with cloud computing skills. The arrival of Amazon’s new headquarters is expected to increase that need, with the new HQ2 campus promising to deliver 25,000 jobs to the Northern Virginia region by 2030.

“BAS is different from traditional degrees,” said Kammy Sanghera, the associate professor of Information Sciences and Technology who serves as the executive director for the Engineering School’s STEM Outreach program. “Because of the transition of public and private sectors to the cloud, the demand for cloud computing skills is on the rise. This program will prepare students to address industry needs.”

The new degree pathway will launch in fall 2020 as part of the ADVANCE Program, the NOVA/Mason partnership that is streamlining the path to a four-year degree by eliminating traditional transfer obstacles, providing students with additional coaching and financial incentives, and highlighting pathways to high-demand careers.

“Developing a cloud-ready workforce is an urgent challenge and an incredible opportunity,” said Teresa Carlson, vice president for AWS’s Worldwide Public Sector. “Both George Mason University and Northern Virginia Community College have been global pioneers in developing cloud curricula for students. We are delighted to be working with these innovative institutions to turn the growing demand for cloud skills into pathways in technology for students from all backgrounds.”

All students in the program will receive membership in the AWS Educate program and gain hands-on, real-world experience with leading cloud technology and tools.