Reflection and Data from Grid Computing

Fight Against Malaria

Statistics
Our group selected the malariacontrol.net grid computing project run with BOINC. It simulates models of transmission dynamics and health effects of malaria. This grid can be used to determine optimal strategies for delivering mosquito nets, chemotherapy, or new vaccines, which are currently in development testing. The malaria grid process is extremely computer extensive, but the results generated are very helpful.

The grid started a new project every 3 or so hours. It worked on 4 tasks at a time. Our grid completed 12,280 units of work. Total time elapsed was approximately 552 hours.

Reflections

Sean:
        This service learning project was very interesting because it incorporated grid computing, which I had never heard about prior to this class. Grid computing is a very interesting way to research prevalent topics throughout the world. It also allowed me to better understand Malaria (thanks to the interview with Dr. Cooper) and how the transmission occurs, as well as how it affects those worldwide. It is amazing that we can use the extra computer power on our laptops to help understand something as complex as protein folding in Malaria.

David:
        This is by far the simplest and most effective service project I have ever been a part of. Grid computing allows us to be a part of malaria research that is unlike anything we can do in the classroom. Our interview with Dr. Cooper broadened our understanding of malaria, including the transmitted and evolutionary effects.  The questions about the malaria paper made us relate our knowledge of evolution to malaria.  This grid computing project has made me realize how common malaria is in certain parts of  the world and that evolution drastically alters the effects of drugs and vaccines on malaria. I am very grateful for the opportunity to learn from grid computing while contributing to malaria research along the way. I believe grid computing will only improve and become more widely utilized in future research.

Drew:
        After being exposed to the benefits of grid computing, I believe that more people should be informed about the advantages of helping out other by simply running a program on your computer. Malaria is a widespread and serious threat across the world. Millions of cases arise each year and hundreds of thousands of people die from the illness. I also think that more people need to be informed about the disease itself, as plenty of people think it is a simple bacterial or viral infection. If more people were informed about grid computing and how easy it is to help out causes such as these, I think that the potential for a cure or vaccine would be much easier to reach. Im glad to have helped the cause, if only by a small margin.