In our awe-inspiring quest to comprehend the universe, to explore the very genesis of the cosmos, to shed light on the essence and distribution of dark matter, to seek out signs of life on distant worlds, and perchance to discover that we are not alone, astrophysicists increasingly lean on mathematics, statistics, and data-driven machine learning. As a result, Astroinformatics has emerged as a swiftly expanding discipline that amalgamates contemporary computational techniques, sophisticated data analysis algorithms, streamlined software implementations, and corresponding hardware design. This integration enables the observation of new phenomena and the formulation of predictions in astronomy, fostering data-driven breakthroughs in astronomical research.
The TITAN project has selected Dr. Jean Luc Starck, an esteemed researcher, as the ERA Chair holder of Astroinformatics. Dr. Starck coordinates a research initiative in computational astrophysics and data science, aimed at synergizing and enhancing two major research entities at FORTH: Computer Science and Astrophysics. This initiative will establish a robust link between regional research excellence and international endeavors. Our goal is to establish an interdisciplinary, international, and culturally diverse center of excellence focused on advancing computational science, machine learning, and statistics for research and education in data-oriented Astronomy. TITAN aims to unleash the potential of FORTH, the Cretan region, and Greece through various measures including capacity building (expansion of research programs, provision of advanced training opportunities), institutional development and structural reforms, and fostering intersectoral and international partnerships in the realm of Computational Astrophysics.
