# Computation Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $165,467

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY: COMPUTATION SERVICE MODULE 
 The Vanderbilt Vision Research Center (VVRC) includes faculty investigators with strong interest in high- 
level imaging of visual perception and visual cognition in humans, neurophysiology, visual behavior in awake- 
behaving non-human primates, and computational modeling of human and non-human primate vision. These 
cognitive- and systems-level investigations require expertise in computer systems administration, data 
collection, analysis, and storage, and web-based applications for experimentation. As well, other VVRC 
investigators require access to hardware and software maintenance and specialty programming, including 
web-based content. The purpose of the VVRC Computation Module is to provide a comprehensive service 
for computer hardware and software that support the wide range of empirical studies our investigators conduct. 
The Computation Module provides computer technology support for research needed to solve more complex 
challenges that face computer-dependent laboratory science. This module is a VVRC-intrinsic core and is not 
part of a VUMC institutional facility; therefore, the service is provided to VVRC members by request and not 
through the VUMC Office of Research scholarship platform. In the current funding period the computation 
module contributed resources in support of 12 investigators with140 publications resulting from use of the 
service, excluding website maintenance. These are indicated as such in our Progress Report Core 
Publications by Investigator document. Availability of this module during the current period saved VVRC 
investigators $409,910 in programmer and administrator costs. A survey of researcher plans indicates that the 
use of this service will increase, with moderate to extensive use by 19 of 36 VVRC investigators. The 
computation module, housed in approximately 500 sq ft of office, server and storage space in Wilson Hall 
proximal to VVRC investigators is directed by VVRC Investigator Thomas Palmeri, PhD. Using this space and 
personnel supported by this Core mechanism, the VVRC Computation Module will: (1) provide hardware and 
software support of VVRC investigations, (2) provide data pipeline, archiving, and storage solutions, (3) 
provide custom programming solutions, and (4) facilitate web-based content and interfacing. These services 
and resources will enhance the scope of experimentation NEI-funded VVRC investigators conduct, promote 
innovation through the provision of custom hardware and software resources, and enhance collaboration by 
providing computation support to those who otherwise would not have such capabilities, including early-career 
vision scientists, clinician-scientists competing for extramural funding for their laboratories, and VVRC 
investigators without access to computer expertise beyond basic internet technology services.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10246440
- **Project number:** 5P30EY008126-34
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** FRANK TONG
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $165,467
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-04-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10246440

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10246440, Computation Core (5P30EY008126-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10246440. Licensed CC0.

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