Our team developed FIESTA, a flexible platform that helps scientific communities create custom data repositories tailored to their specific needs. Instead of using one-size-fits-all solutions, FIESTA allows communities to build specialized databases that understand their unique data types.

The platform works like a toolkit with interchangeable parts. Researchers can customize repositories while reusing proven components, making it cost-effective for communities with limited resources. FIESTA includes features like permanent web addresses, automatic citation tools, and search capabilities that help scientists discover relevant data.

We recently added artificial intelligence assistance that guides researchers through data submission and helps build new repositories faster, reducing technical barriers and improving data quality.

We have successfully implemented FIESTA for several geology communities, including databases for rock dating, drilling samples, magnetic measurements, and mineral chemistry. Each repository serves its community's specific needs while maintaining high standards for data sharing.

Our approach demonstrates how specialized, community-driven platforms can overcome barriers to making scientific data more accessible and useful for advancing research.