Arthur “Barney” Maccabe Appointed Associate Dean of Research at the College of Information Science

The College of Information Science (InfoSci) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Arthur “Barney” Maccabe as the new associate dean of research. A nationally recognized leader in high-performance computing and scientific data infrastructure, Maccabe brings deep experience and strategic insight to the role.

He succeeds Dr. Bryan Heidorn, who has stepped down from the position to devote more time to his own research. Professor Heidorn remains a valued member of the faculty, and we thank him for his years of dedicated service as associate dean of research.

Maccabe joined the University of Arizona in 2022, serving until mid-2025 as executive director of the Institute for Computation and Data-Enabled Insight. In that role, he led efforts to accelerate cross-disciplinary research in computation, data science and artificial intelligence. Now, as associate dean for research at the college, he continues that mission with a focus on empowering faculty, fostering collaboration and expanding the college’s sponsored research portfolio.

Before coming to Arizona, Maccabe spent more than a decade directing the Computer Science and Mathematics Division at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he oversaw research in high-performance computing, applied mathematics and computational science. Prior to his tenure at Oak Ridge, he served for more than 25 years as a professor of computer science at the University of New Mexico, where he advised PhD and master’s students and held leadership positions including director of the Center for High Performance Computing and interim chief information officer. He earned his PhD in Information and Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology after completing a BS in Mathematics at the University of Arizona.

Throughout his career, Maccabe has led sponsored research in areas ranging from operating systems and compiler technology to network intrusion detection, sensor networks and system software for large-scale and high-end computing systems. His current research focuses on the policies, mechanisms and tools required to manage large-scale data for training advanced artificial intelligence models, particularly those used in scientific discovery.

“Positioned at the intersection of people, data and technology, information science has the perspective needed to address the big societal challenges associated with the rapid emergence of advanced information technologies, including artificial intelligence,” Maccabe says. “It spans and integrates critical areas of research, including theoretical foundations, human interaction, societal impacts and practical applications that directly affect the world around us.”

As associate dean of research, Maccabe will support faculty in developing competitive grant proposals, oversee research project approvals and guide strategic research development for the college.

“Barney brings both vision and keen technical insight to this role,” says Dr. Catherine Brooks, interim dean. “His experience leading large-scale research programs and working across disciplines is exactly what we need as InfoSci expands its research footprint and impact. We are thrilled to welcome him into this new position.”

Please join us in welcoming Barney Maccabe to this vital leadership role within the College of Information Science.
  

Learn more about Barney Maccabe on his faculty page, or explore all research and faculty at the College of Information Science.