CDS Welcomes New Staff Members
The Faculty of Computing & 数据科学 is pleased to welcome five new and talented staff members:
- Emily Baker, Executive Assistant to Associate Provost Azer Bestavros
- John Bestavros, Learning Facilitator, Online Master’s in Data Science (OMDS)
- Molly-Kate MacLeod, Director of Student Academic Experience
- Matthew Thomas, Learning Facilitator, Online Master’s in Data Science (OMDS)
- Xiaoying Zeng, Learning Facilitator, Online Master’s in Data Science (OMDS)
We are thrilled to welcome these talented professionals to CDS! Their diverse expertise, industry experience, and fresh perspectives will enrich our community and enhance the student and faculty experience. Learn more about their backgrounds and contributions.
Emily Baker, Executive Assistant to Associate Provost Azer Bestavros (Joined CDS in 2025)
Emily provides high-level administrative support to Azer Bestavros, associate provost of CDS, ensuring smooth office operations. She manages schedules, coordinates meetings, oversees strategic initiatives, and facilitates stakeholder communication.
With 15 years of experience in executive support and project management, Emily previously worked as a Senior Project Manager at Berklee College of Music and as Board Relations Manager at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Arts Administration and is a Berklee College of Music graduate with a background in Violin Performance and Music Therapy.
Outside of CDS, Emily is also an accomplished musician under the name Emily Haviland. She released her debut album Not Who You Think in 2024 and has performed alongside artists like Aoife O’Donovan and Margo Price. Read more.
John Bestavros, Learning Facilitator, Online Master’s in Data Science Program (Joined CDS in January 2025)
John joined CDS as a Learning Facilitator, bringing a strong passion for data science education. While studying at Boston University, he worked as a software development intern at Violet Data, Inc., modernizing legacy software systems.
After graduating in 2023 with a Computer Science major and Data Science minor, John spent three semesters volunteering at BU Spark!, mentoring students on data-driven projects. His deep enthusiasm for data science and student success drives his commitment to creating an engaging learning environment. Read more.
Molly-Kate MacLeod, Director of Student Academic Experience (Joined CDS in January 2025)
Molly-Kate oversees undergraduate academic programming at CDS, including advising, admissions, orientation, student programming, and curricular planning. She also represents CDS on various university-wide committees.
A BU leader since 2013, Molly-Kate has held administrative and advising roles in graduate admissions, student services, and academic planning across multiple schools, including the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Hospitality Administration.
She holds a BS in Psychology from Sacred Heart University, an MEd in Higher Education Administration from BU, and is currently pursuing her EdD at Northeastern University. Read more.
Matthew Thomas, Learning Facilitator, Online Master’s in Data Science Program (Joined CDS in January 2025)
Matthew brings over a decade of experience in computer science education, having previously taught at Boise State University. His expertise includes algorithms, Java, and data science, making him a valuable addition to the OMDS team.
As a Learning Facilitator, Matthew provides academic support, engages students in their coursework, and helps ensure an interactive and supportive online learning experience. Read more.
Xiaoying Zeng, Learning Facilitator, Online Master’s in Data Science Program (Joined CDS in February 2025)
Xiaoying has four years of research experience in mathematics and data science, specializing in statistical modeling and machine learning techniques. She previously worked as a Graduate Research Assistant and Visiting Researcher at Boston University, focusing on AI applications in healthcare.
Her academic background includes an undergraduate degree in Mathematics Teacher Education and a Master’s in Data Science from BU. She brings a deep understanding of complex machine-learning models and is passionate about making AI education accessible to students. Read more.
We are excited to see the impact these talented individuals will have on our growing CDS community! View all profiles.
-Neeza Singh, CDS'25