Interim Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation,
Office of Research and Innovation
Professor, Department of Statistics
North Carolina State University
Office: 212 Poulton Innovation Center
Phone: 919-515-2117
Email: agwilso2@ncsu.edu
Curriculum Vita
Bio
Dr. Alyson Gabbard Wilson is a distinguished research and innovation leader with a robust background spanning academia, industry, and government. Currently serving as Interim Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at North Carolina State University, Dr. Wilson oversees an expansive research portfolio, guiding $633 million in annual expenditures and advancing strategic initiatives that position NC State as a national research leader. Known for her ability to translate complex challenges into actionable solutions, she has spearheaded initiatives to streamline research administration, enhance infrastructure, and secure significant funding, creating sustainable pathways for interdisciplinary collaboration.
A recognized authority in data science and national security research, Dr. Wilson founded NC State’s Data Science Academy, fostering data literacy and innovation across diverse disciplines. Her leadership extends to forging high-impact partnerships with national laboratories and Department of Defense agencies, where her efforts have expanded NC State’s collaborations with organizations such as Sandia National Laboratories, Savannah River National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. As the principal architect of NC State’s Laboratory for Analytic Sciences, she secured over $90 million in funding to advance collaborative research solutions for the intelligence community.
Dr. Wilson’s expertise is well-regarded on a national scale; she has served on 15 committees for the National Academies and holds Fellow status with both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Statistical Association. Her numerous accolades, including the ASA Distinguished Achievement Award in Defense and National Security and the Army Wilks Memorial Award, recognize her impactful contributions to statistics, defense, and interdisciplinary research. Dr. Wilson is committed to harnessing data-driven insights and fostering partnerships that bridge academic, government, and industry interests to drive groundbreaking research and innovation.
Dr. Wilson earned her Ph.D. in Statistics from Duke University, building a strong foundation in analytical methodologies that have informed her career at the intersection of research and innovation. She also holds an M.S. in Statistics from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.A. in Mathematical Sciences from Rice University.
Before her role as Interim Vice Chancellor at North Carolina State University, Dr. Wilson held leadership positions at several notable institutions and research centers, including the Institute for Defense Analyses and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to building collaborative environments that integrate data science and interdisciplinary research, impacting areas ranging from defense to materials characterization. With her extensive background in both academic and applied research settings, Dr. Wilson brings a unique perspective to her leadership role at NC State, where she continues to drive initiatives that align with the mission to create transformative research and innovation that serve society.