Dr. Robert A. Ballance is presently a Research Associate Professor of Computer Science at UNM and Associate Director for Systems and Systems Research at UNM's High-Performance Computing, Education, and Research Center (HPCERC). At HPCERC, he oversees all of the high-performance computing systems and networks associated with the Center, including the 512-processor Los Lobos cluster and the 128-processor Road Runner cluster. Dr. Ballance's research interests include object-oriented software design and programming techniques; software engineering; user interface design; network security; system administration; and cluster computing. His early compiler research included the development and applications of the Program Dependence Web, a sophisticated program representation used in advanced optimizing compilers. Most recently, he has initiated a research project devoted to improving network security via next-generation firewall configuration, testing, and management techniques. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Linux Clusters Institute and the New Mexico Information Technology and Software Association. Dr. Ballance received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 1989.