Alberto Cano appointed associate vice president for research computing
Alberto Cano has been named associate vice president for research computing at Virginia Tech.
Cano will lead the Advanced Research Computing unit within the Division of Information Technology beginning Nov. 5.
Advanced Research Computing (ARC) provides centralized research computing infrastructure and support for the Virginia Tech research community, offering high-performance computational systems, large-scale data storage, visualization tools, and consulting services. Its mission is to enhance research productivity by fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that support data-driven research and computing-related innovation across all academic disciplines.
Cano brings a wealth of experience from his previous role at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he led strategic planning, staff administration, and operational management for research computing services. He secured significant funding for high-performance computing infrastructure and broadened participation in research computing, making advanced tools more accessible to diverse users.
“I'm thrilled to join Virginia Tech's ARC team. My goal is to make cutting-edge computing resources more available for all researchers, breaking down barriers and fostering innovation across Virginia Tech. I look forward to supporting our research community in advancing scientific discovery and expanding the impact of research computing.” said Cano.
In his new role at Virginia Tech, Cano will oversee the units initiatives, ensuring that the university's faculty and students have access to cutting-edge computing resources and services to drive their research.
Sharon P. Pitt, vice president for information technology and chief information officer, said, “Alberto’s vision and leadership will be instrumental in expanding our research computing capabilities and fostering collaboration across disciplines. We are confident that his experience and innovative approach will greatly enhance ARC’s contribution to our research community.”
Dan Sui, senior vice president for research and innovation, said, “The addition of Alberto Cano to our leadership team represents a positive step forward in strengthening the infrastructure and consulting services that support our faculty and student researchers. His expertise will elevate our standing in the research computing domain.”
Alberto Cano earned his Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Granada, Spain, and also holds a master's degree in intelligent systems from the University of Cordoba, a master's degree in soft computing and intelligent systems from the University of Granada, and a double bachelor's degree in computer science and computer engineering from the University of Cordoba.