Midwest Research Computing and Data Consortium
In this series, we dive into the world of the Midwest Research Computing and Data Consortium. We explore its members, their challenges, and prospects. Recently, we had the opportunity to connect with Benjamin Lynch, Director of the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute at the University of Minnesota. Ben has expertise in a wide range of areas such as high performance computing, Ceph File System, machine learning, genetic algorithms, and computational chemistry. He shares his insights on the field in the excerpts below:
I received undergraduate degrees in chemical engineering and chemistry. Chemical engineering was a great fit for me because it spans such a broad range of science and engineering, and it gave me early exposure to simulation. As an undergraduate, I also had the chance to do research in computational chemistry, which set me on a path toward a Ph.D. in Chemistry under the guidance of Donald Truhlar. What always drew me in was the simulation and data-processing side of research. I found I wasn’t tied to one narrow field; instead, I was motivated by the opportunity to use computation as a bridge across many areas of science. That openness to working broadly with data and simulation is what ultimately led me into research computing.
My path to this role has been shaped by a mix of technical curiosity and a passion for supporting research. I started my career deeply entangled in quantum mechanics and high performance computing, and over time my interest in helping others apply advanced computing to their own fields grew. Along the way, I’ve had opportunities to work with incredible teams, learn the operational side of running large-scale systems, and build partnerships across the University. Those experiences ultimately brought me to the role of Director at the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, where I can combine technical expertise with the ability to coordinate people, resources, and strategy in support of world-class research.
As Director of the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, I coordinate activities that support faculty research across the University and beyond. I guide a team of cyberinfrastructure and research informatics experts whose mission is to provide the advanced computing, data, and workflow tools that enable researchers in Minnesota to push the boundaries of discovery. My work is about ensuring that faculty and students have the resources, expertise, and support they need to carry out world-class research.
What drew me to the Midwest RCD was the opportunity to connect with other regional centers, exchange ideas, and share knowledge. The consortium creates a space where we can learn from one another’s experiences and strengthen research computing across the Midwest, and I value the chance to contribute to that collective effort.
My best advice is to learn how to talk to people outside of your field. Research computing does not live in isolation; it intersects with scientists, administrators, policymakers, vendors, and the broader community. If you can translate your expertise into language that others understand, you will unlock opportunities that pure technical skill alone cannot.
Second, cultivate problem-solving as your core mindset. The technologies, codes, and platforms will change, but the ability to frame problems clearly, break them down, and work collaboratively toward solutions will always be the skill that sets you apart.
Finally, be courageous at learning. This goes hand in hand with learning to talk with people outside your field, because real conversations become more meaningful when you’ve taken the time to understand the basics of their world. Learning some of the basics outside of your field can be daunting, but it is where you can add enormous value. Do not shy away from digging into a little assembly, networking, or CUDA, understanding 3-phase PDUs, reading RFPs, or exploring proteomics workflows. Be curious about software licensing, intellectual property, PHI, cost accounting, filesystems, community outreach, federal grant programs, even the state legislature, because all of these threads intersect with research computing. By stretching yourself into these areas, you not only become far more valuable to the research enterprise, but you also gain a deeper appreciation for how diverse aspects of science, technology, and policy come together to enable discovery.