CISL Research

The Computational and Information Systems Laboratory (CISL) performs basic and applied research to advance scientific computing capabilities in pursuit of NCAR/UCAR's research agenda. Scientific computing—which refers to the use of high-performance computers, numerical methods, mathematical models, and digitized data to analyze scientific problems—has become the third mode of science, complementing and adding to theory and experiment. Scientific computing is especially important in Earth systems research where, over the last 40 years, its role has massively increased. The goal of CISL research activities in the following areas is to develop faster, better, more efficient means of addressing grand challenges in the geosciences.


Computer Science

Inside a computer


Applied Mathematics


Models / Software Frameworks

Model data


Data / Knowledge Systems

PyNGL demonstration


Emerging Cyberinfrastructure

CISL staff at work