Annual Report 2008.pdf - SAMSI

4. Developments and Initiatives
• The plan for expansion of space, through an addition to the NISS building, was
completed and construction is under way.
• An NAC Scientific Advisory Board is being created to provide input into the
initiation and development of interdisciplinary SAMSI programs.
• The new Kenan K-12 Mentor program was initiated.
• Michael Minion joined the SAMSI Directorate, replacing Chris Jones
• A new administrative structure was implemented
o An Assistant Director position was created to manage activities; Denise
Auger was appointed to the position.
o Rita Fortune was appointed as the financial Administrative Assistant.
o Sue McDonald was appointed as the Administrative Assistant for program
development.
o A part-time Communications Specialist is being added.
• Additional research collaborations with other institutes were initiated to enhance
the overall impact of mathematics and statistics:
o Activities with the National Center for Atmospheric Research have
continued, including two joint postdoctoral appointments.
o SAMSI in planning a variety of activities with the Canadian National
Program on Complex Data Structures, involving their proposed new
institute (the National Institute for Complex Data Structures).
o Agreement was reached with the Virtual Center for collaboration of
visitors between the US and China to potentially provide airfares for
Chinese visitors to SAMSI.
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