Research
CSE-IT’s research services provide the advanced technology support needed by faculty, staff, and student researchers. The CSE-IT research support team understands that each project is unique. We are ready to collaborate with you to determine the best solution that meets your needs.
Fundamentals
Provides consulting, shared file storage, and access group management to researchers for convenient access to, and use of, basic workgroup-related IT tools for their projects.
Cloud Services
This service offers centrally-managed cloud services through various vendors, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure to University researchers, departments, and staff.
Linux for Research
Provides Linux hardware and software configurations, consulting, and support to accommodate research that requires advanced technical assistance.
Datacenter Hosting
Provides standards-compliant datacenter hosting in CSE-IT physical space to serve CSE-related research.
Lab & Instrument Host Support
Provides hardware and software support to accommodate research desktops and scientific instrument hosts that require IT technical assistance.
Data Storage
Looking for data storage? Find the storage service appropriate for your data using the storage comparison tool.

Jim MacDonald, Research Support Service Owner
I have bachelor’s of science degrees in Chemical Engineering and Computer Science. I’ve worked for CSE since 1983; CEMS and IMA (1983-89), AHPCRC (1989-94), CS and CSE (1994 to present).
Favorite Past Work Project
Working with US West, Minnesota Supercomputer Center, AHPCRC, and CS&E on an experimental study of extended HiPPI connections over ATM networks. This project allowed me to work with two experimental networks and integrate them into workstations and routers. This testbed resulted in a paper published in the Proceedings of IEEE INFOCOM '96. Conference on Computer Communications.
Specialties & Expertise
- High performance networks and storage
- IT systems integration
Interests
- Biking
- Cooking
- Fishing
- Golf

Chad Sullivan, Research Support Consultant
I have a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Minnesota. Previously, I worked for the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications from 2012-15 and joined CSE-IT in 2015.
Favorite Past Work Project
Working to align identity management for Computer Science and Engineering, Physics and Astronomy, and the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications with the University identity management systems. Retiring old systems including department email, storage, and services.
Specialties & Expertise
- Computer networking and administration
- Storage
- Working with CSE researchers to modernize computer technologies
Interests
- Mountain biking
- Bike wrenching
- Camping
- Grilling
- Vintage Volkswagens

Joe Finnegan, Research Support Consultant
I have a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Minnesota and am currently pursuing a B.A. in Computer Science also here at the U. Other certifications include: Business Analysis Certificate from CCAPS, Full-stack Web Development Certification from CCAPS, and ITIL Foundations. I began my career at the University in multimedia production in 2013 and moved to OIT to work in user support in 2015. I joined CSE-IT in 2017.
Favorite Past Work Project
Administering the NVIDIA DGX-1 deep learning system to support MARSLab research on machine learning methods for computer vision and advanced image processing. This solution brings together elements from OIT, NVIDIA, as well as CSE to provide a unique on-premise deep learning environment. The team has been able to publish 6 papers already and their research continues.
Specialties & Expertise
- Hardware building and repair
- Systems administration
- Multimedia production recording and live streaming
- Custom hardware and software solutions
- GPU systems
Interests
- Building computers
- Cooking
- Outdoor activities
- Virtual reality