Becky Boyles

Rebecca Boyles is a professor of the practice at the UNC School of Data Science and Society, where she brings a wealth of experience in advancing data-centric solutions for societal benefit. As deputy director of the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI), she oversees the research division and contributes to RENCI’s overall strategic vision and business development. Her research focuses on developing fit-for-purpose solutions that enable researchers to use data for the public good. She is a strong advocate of the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) data principles  and is known for her ability to bridge the gap between research and information technology. Through a comprehensive data ecosystem approach, Boyles enables researchers to extract maximum value from their data assets, enhancing data-driven research and decision-making.

Before joining RENCI in 2024, Boyles was the founding director of the Center for Data Modernization Solutions at RTI International. There, she established a multidisciplinary center focused on data-driven innovation. Prior to RTI, Boyles served as the first data scientist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), where she played a key role in defining the strategic vision for the environmental health science data ecosystem, maximizing data resources to address pressing public health challenges.