Iowa State University

September 3, 2025

Iowa State University

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Case Study

Dr. Aditya Balu

Data Scientist, Translational AI Center (TrAC), Iowa State University

Dr. Aditya Balu is a Data Scientist at the Translational AI Center at Iowa State University, where he applies deep learning and GPU algorithms to transform Computer Aided Engineering. With a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Computer Engineering from Iowa State, his work sits at the intersection of machine learning, high-performance computing, and computational mechanics. He focuses on advancing engineering workflows with physics-informed machine learning, GPU-accelerated methods, neural PDE solvers, and decentralized learning. His research has earned over 1,500 citations and continues to shape how AI and HPC are applied in scientific computing.

In this case study

Through its partnership with Vocareum, Iowa State University’s Translational AI Center (TrAC) has adopted the Vocareum AI Notebook—a fully-managed, browser-based platform. This pivotal decision, led by Dr. Aditya Balu, enables the delivery of four-week, one-credit micro-credentials in AI, providing instant access to GPU computing, generative AI models, and automated grading while eliminating complex environment setup. This innovative approach was notably demonstrated in Iowa State’s participation in the NSF National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) Classroom pilot.

Dr. Balu, tell us about your background and why you chose Vocareum’s notebook.

I’m Dr. Aditya Balu—my Ph.D. research focuses on geometry-aware scientific machine learning. Apart from this, I have organized several tutorials and workshops at prestigious conferences like CVPR, AAAI, and Supercomputing, and I was recently named a finalist in the 2025 NSF SME Blue Sky Competition for “Quantum Spectral Holo Sense.” At TrAC, I focus on translating cutting-edge AI research into short, workforce-ready courses for students and professionals. When the opportunity arose to pilot advanced classroom environments, we needed a turnkey, secure notebook that could scale beyond campus.

What problem were you trying to solve with micro-credentials, and how did Vocareum AI Notebook make this vision a reality?

Industry partners consistently demanded professionals who could apply AI, not just understand theory. Traditional academic pathways moved too slowly to keep pace with rapid AI advancements, and learners often spent up to 40% of valuable class time troubleshooting complex local environments instead of coding. This friction motivated us to create agile, four-week micro-credentials with stackable digital badges, but we needed a platform to make this vision of accessible, hands-on learning a reality.

I first encountered Vocareum AI Notebook through our participation in the NSF NAIRR Classroom pilot that began January, 2024. As an educator in a program like that, I needed a platform that could deliver hands-on AI learning at scale without overwhelming our IT resources or compromising security. Vocareum AI Notebook not only met these demands but quickly became essential by providing a truly superior managed experience that solved critical challenges beyond traditional setups:

Zero-setup AI environment: Students launch a fully-configured, GPU-backed workspace in seconds—no local installation required. The platform comes pre-loaded with Python, R, and all essential data science libraries (Jupyter-compatible).
Managed generative AI access: Unlike platforms requiring manual API key management, Vocareum AI Notebook provides secure, pre-configured access to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Llama with centralized budget controls and usage analytics.
Seamless LMS integration: Grades flow automatically to Canvas through LTI 1.3 integration, and our advanced auto-grading engine evaluates code logic and efficiency—not just output matching.

"As an educator in a program like [the NSF NAIRR Classroom pilot], I needed a platform that could deliver hands-on AI learning at scale without overwhelming our IT resources or compromising security. Vocareum AI Notebook not only met these demands but quickly became essential by providing a truly superior managed experience that solved critical challenges beyond traditional setups."

How are your micro-credential courses structured using Vocareum AI Notebook?

Each badge combines short video lectures with hands-on labs delivered entirely through Vocareum AI Notebook. Popular titles include:

ML Operations (MLOps)
Generative Models
End-to-End Computer Vision
Graph Neural Networks
Self-Supervised Learning
Scientific Machine Learning

Courses run 16 contact hours over four weeks at an introductory price of $500 ($300 for students and government employees). Students work directly in Vocareum AI Notebook’s browser-based environment, which provides instant GPU access, persistent workspaces, and collaborative features like peer review. These badges are stackable toward a Professional Certificate in Translational AI, part of Iowa State’s broader micro-credential rollout launching Summer/Fall 2025.

What makes Vocareum AI Notebook superior to traditional Jupyter setups, and why do you still mention Google Colab?

Vocareum AI Notebook is our core instructional environment. It eliminates the “it-won’t-run-on-my-laptop” problem entirely. While we leverage Google Colab for its learner familiarity and occasional free GPU bursts, Vocareum’s LTI integration allows us to seamlessly open Colab workbooks within the same graded flow of the Vocareum AI Notebook. This means students get the full power of Colab, but always governed and managed by Vocareum AI Notebook’s structured, auto-graded, and secure ecosystem.
Beyond that, Vocareum AI Notebook provides:

Enterprise security: SOC 2 Type II audited, FERPA and GDPR compliant with network isolation and comprehensive audit logs.
Automatic scaling: Elastic infrastructure handles thousands of concurrent users.
GPU resource management: Single-click access to NVIDIA GPUs with flexible budget controls.
Exam mode capabilities: Restricted environments for secure assessment.
Advanced collaboration: Real-time sharing, leaderboards, and team workspaces.

What impact have you seen from using Vocareum AI Notebook?

The Vocareum AI Notebook delivered immediate impact. For instance, we observed zero local setup tickets for the spring 2024 NAIRR cohort. Faculty shifted from manual grading to instant rubric scoring, significantly cutting marking time and allowing more focus on teaching. Most importantly, students were able to train full CNNs and execute complex LLM prompts on day one, directly within the browser, instead of debugging cumbersome local setups. They finish with runnable projects and shareable digital badges—tangible evidence of their ability to fine-tune models, manage GPU budgets, and deploy AI pipelines. The platform’s built-in AI coding assistant and managed API access teach students to leverage generative AI responsibly while building practical skills.

How does Iowa State's success with Vocareum AI Notebook influence its broader AI education strategy, including initiatives like NAIRR?

TrAC unites 65+ faculty across seven diverse colleges, positioning us as a leader in AI education. Our success with Vocareum AI Notebook, as demonstrated through our participation in pilots like the NAIRR Classroom, has showcased how managed platforms can democratize access to advanced AI tools for students and professionals nationwide. Vocareum AI Notebook’s cloud-agnostic design and LMS integration mean our expertly designed labs can be adopted by other institutions without duplicating IT work—accelerating AI-skills delivery more broadly. This approach reinforces Iowa State’s commitment to scalable, impactful education.

What’s next for TrAC and Vocareum AI Notebook?

We’re actively expanding our course catalog and preparing for Iowa State’s broader micro-credential initiative launching Fall 2025. Because Vocareum AI Notebook is fully managed and cloud-agnostic, scaling mostly means adding seats rather than rewriting infrastructure. This allows us to focus on curriculum innovation instead of platform maintenance, ensuring we continue to provide cutting-edge AI education to meet the evolving demands of the workforce.

Get Started with Vocareum AI Notebook
Prospective learners and instructors can preview TrAC’s syllabus templates or request a live demo of Vocareum AI Notebook’s capabilities.

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