iPAT Program

What is an iPAT?

The iPlant Activity Team (iPAT) program models how a two-person team collaborates and develops a common vocabulary as they solve a mini-project in computational plant biology. Each team consists of a computational faculty member and a plant biology faculty member.  Upon selection of iPAT teams, iPlant core staff will visit each team at their home university to consult on and ensure software development support for their mini-project.  Each team will then be responsible for locating and supporting a new mini-project team, in an each-one-teach-one model.

Goals

iPAT participants will demonstrate how new collaborations and common vocabulary are developed between pairs of computational scientists and plant biologists though construction of analysis modules.  The goal is for iPlant to use these mini-project collaborations to identify successful innovative approaches and common vocabulary that will help us to educate the next generation of plant and computer scientists in computational thinking.

Mini-Project Examples

The possible mini-projects provided below are intended to provide generalized examples only.  Suggestions and ideas for mini-projects are welcome!

• Analyze a database of fern phylogeographic data (geographical location and morphological characters) using a new minimum spanning subtree algorithm to detect geographic constraints on evolutionary patterns.
• Compare reticulate phylogenetic tree models (cyclic graphs) in domesticated and non-domesticated species using efficient vector-based algorithms.
• Test meta-analysis methods for integrating diverse types of plant phenotype data from a standard set of genotypes.
• Develop and test an algorithm for high-dimensional data search using test genetic association data sets from plant biology.

Would you like advice on finding a collaborator for an iPAT mini-project? Contact Ann Stapleton for assistance.

Selection Criteria for iPATs

• The combined expertise of the plant biologist and the computational scientist must be suited to their proposed mini-project.
• The iPAT team mini-project must be a good fit with one or more Grand Challenge Project Collaboration Requests. Click here to see the iPTOL and iPG2P Grand Challenges.
• Novelty—to attract new collaborators, faculty who have not previously been involved with the iPlant Collaborative and who have not previously worked with cross-disciplinary teams will have preference.
• Diversity—iPATs will be selected from a range of institution types, geographical regions, and expertise combinations.

Who will make the selection?

An iPlant staff panel will prioritize the applications and provide feedback to the proposers about the strengths and weaknesses of their proposals.

Submittal Deadline and Selection Process

Please contact Ann Stapleton for more information.