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School of Data Science Welcomed New Team Members in 2025
The University of Virginia School of Data Science welcomed several new staff members in 2025, strengthening the School’s capacity to support research, teaching, student support, and institutional operations.
These new team members bring experience from higher education, industry, public service, and research organizations. Together, they contribute technical expertise, strategic insight, and student-centered support that advance the School’s mission of responsible data science for the common good.
Jacob Abrams
Senior Grants and Contracts Administrator
Jacob Abrams has more than a decade of experience in research administration and institutional strategy across higher education and the public sector. His work focuses on helping institutions leverage research funding and data to improve efficiency, innovation, and impact, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Prior to joining the School of Data Science, Abrams oversaw more than $21 million in grant programming at Concord University, led FAFSA completion initiatives at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, and served as a research associate at the Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. He has also taught undergraduate courses in statistics and research design.
Fun fact: A proud West Virginian, Jacob loves hiking and sci-fi — and was the first New Year’s baby born in Raleigh County, West Virginia.
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Charan “Ran” Basireddy
Data Engineer
Ran Basireddy joined the School of Data Science after relocating from Clemson University. He brings experience as a data engineer and data analyst, with prior work supporting data systems in higher education environments.
Ran holds a master’s degree in computer science and contributes to the development and maintenance of data infrastructure that supports research and institutional initiatives across the School.
Fun fact: Ran loves skydiving and plans to complete a solo dive one day.
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Jenna Ellis
Online Success Coach
Jenna Ellis supports online students through advising, outreach and engagement initiatives designed to promote academic success and persistence in data science programs. Her work focuses on helping students navigate their programs while building a sense of connection and community. Ellis brings a student-centered approach to her role, informed by her interest in communication, engagement, and creative expression.
Fun fact: Jenna was heavily involved in theater in high school, and many people assumed she would move to New York City to pursue acting. While she no longer performs, she attends several plays and musicals each year.
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Jin Park
Data Engineer
Jin Park joined the School of Data Science after moving from Silicon Valley to Charlottesville. She brings experience across IT and software engineering, including data analytics and web development, supporting technical systems and data-driven initiatives.
Her work helps strengthen the infrastructure that enables research, analytics, and digital tools across the School.
Fun fact: Jin enjoys exploring new places both in video games and in real life.
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Sarah Rogis
Director of Career & Professional Development
Sarah Rogis brings more than 15 years of experience in higher education focused on career and professional development for students. Most recently, she served as director of career development in Commerce Career Services at the McIntire School of Commerce, where she helped lead a team committed to innovation, service excellence, and student success.
During more than nine years at McIntire, Rogis worked closely with faculty, alumni, and school leadership to support commerce students at UVA. She previously held associate director roles at Radford University and the University of Mary Washington and began her career in career services at Virginia Commonwealth University. Before shifting to higher education, she worked in marketing, advertising, and communications management.
Fun facts: She enjoys hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, seeing live music, and spending time with her family.
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Cypress Smith
Research Administrative Coordinator
Cypress Dawn Smith comes to the School of Data Science from a career of college administration that goes back to their days as an undergraduate student. With a mere decade of experience in the field, they have touched most areas in the collegiate space, bringing a tested familiarity in event and project planning, budget analysis, interface design, and database management. With an additional background in art, theater, and performance, Smith is passionate about working with people to make their passions a reality.
Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts and Design with a concentration in Digital Video and Cinema and a double minor in Theater and Creative Writing.
Fun fact: Smith has performed and/or produced at venues in New York, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, and Virginia.
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Holly Stancil
Career Advisor
Holly Stancil joined the Career and Professional Development team as a part-time career advisor, supporting students across the School of Data Science with career exploration, preparation, and professional growth.
She has more than a decade of experience in recruiting, talent development, and career coaching across sectors including financial services, health care, and nonprofit organizations. Stancil holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the Harvard Extension School.
Fun fact: Holly is obsessed with fonts and formatting and applies that passion when reviewing resumes. Friends and family regularly send her photos of questionable design choices they encounter.
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Vicky Stow
Ph.D. Graduate Program Manager
Vicky Stow is an experienced academic advisor who works closely with students to help them identify goals, build self-awareness, and develop strategies for academic success. Her advising philosophy is student-driven and emphasizes strength-based growth and resilience.
Stow brings more than 10 years of experience in higher education as an instructor, advisor, and program manager. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida Southern College and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Nova Southeastern University.
Fun fact: Vicky has worked in a wide range of roles, including mental health care provider, Jazzercise instructor, personal trainer, X-ray technologist, and patient relations representative. Her motto is “keep moving and learning.”
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Davene Wasser
Writer and Editorial Specialist
Davene Wasser joined the Marketing and Communications team as writer and editorial specialist, where she supports content development, editorial planning, and accessible communications across platforms.
She brings more than a decade of editorial experience spanning publishing, government consulting, and higher education-related work. Her background includes technical editing, accessibility testing, and in-house editorial roles with National Geographic School Publishing and Island Press. Wasser holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland.
Fun fact: Davene is an artist who creates commissioned drawings of people and pets.
Resource and Data Exchange
In 2025, the School of Data Science also welcomed the Resource and Data Exchange (RDE) team. The RDE is a secure web application designed to support UVA research by enabling information exchange, project collaboration, and controlled access data sharing among authenticated users and, when appropriate, with the public. The RDE is a multi-instance product, meaning that copies of the software are configured to fit the specific needs of multiple research domains and initiatives across UVA and beyond. The UVA RDE expansion is supported by the UVA Strategic Initiative Fund under the vice president of research as well as by grants that leverage this infrastructure.
Product owner Johanna Loomba and quality and training liaison Andrea Zhou report to Senior Professor of Data Science Don Brown who leads the RDE. The development team, led by David Borishansky and now part of the School’s IT unit, includes full-stack developers Andrew Cook, Ariel Giventer, and Alicia Pritchett.
Fun fact: The RDE team works remotely with home bases in Scottsville, Staunton, and Charlottesville as well as North Carolina and California!
