Onestop Cloud Computing TaskMaster
Balancing remote and local demands with accessible HPC resources
In-house, launched, Q2-Q3 23’
Role & Team
I was the leading UX Designer in a close-knit team, where the product management role was conducted by the then deputy of the research institute, together with 4 developers, 1 designer, and 1 scientific advisor playing the role of domain expert.
domain expert (scientist)
developers
designers
project manager
Scope & Background
I was in charge of the product design from 0 to 1 for Cybershuttle - an open-source cloud-computing platform developed by Indiana University's Pervasive Technology Institute with funding from the National Science Foundation. It allows research labs to access high-performance computing resources for running simulations, benefiting research institutions in their bio-chemistry studies.
For everyone in a lab: admins, researchers, students
Users of Cybershuttle include key personnels in a lab ecosystem - like a pyramid. At the top are Principal Investigators (PIs), who act as administrators. In the middle are researchers, including post-docs and other permanent lab employees. PhD & Master students, are the bottom level, they utilize Cybershuttle mainly for education. Sometimes, external collaborators may also utilize Cybershuttle as guests. Simply put, access control is crucial.
Principal Investigators (PIs)
Post-docs & permanent lab employees
Cloud computing units
PhD students (‘interns’)
Running simulation in the cloud, is like cooking in the dark.
Lab personnel find it frustrating to run simulations. They can't easily see how much progress has been made or how long it will take to finish. They don't know where to check how resources are being used. It's hard to find other people's projects. And they have to jump between five different tools, some local and some online, to complete a single simulation.
It's like playing 'Overcooked,' but harder - everything is a flaming mess, and you can’t even see the kitchen.
Steps are all over the place
Hard to monitor
Strict access control
Cloud computing units
Molecular dynamics
simulations
Create a workflow for lab personnels to smoothly manage simulation tasks, project admins, and cloud computing resources, in one place.
As the leading UX designer, I value transparency and timely onboarding to enhance efficiency. Cybershuttle has a center dashboard to visualize task/project progress for each user role. And it’s all connected: HPC resources allocation, administrative controls, and credential access. Users gain a comprehensive understanding of their own progress and the activities of their colleagues.
Hard to monitor
Intuitive tracking
Results
60%
Reduced team communication overhead
~1.5hr
Saved per simulation
200+
Scientists benefited
Curious about design rationales in process? Contact me for a detailed deck!
Including exploring stories about
How did we streamline the simulation setup protocol?
What did we learn from the previous tool developer?
How did we manage to deliver on time when facing lack of research input in the middle of the project?