Davida Johnson

Davida Johnson serves as the Executive Director of the UCLA Office of Advanced Research Computing (OARC). With a robust background in applied technology, she is instrumental in driving the strategic vision and oversight of advanced computing initiatives at UCLA. Davida’s leadership ensures that the university remains at the forefront of research innovation, providing comprehensive support for data-intensive research across a broad spectrum of academic disciplines.

In her role, Davida collaborates closely with faculty, researchers, students, and administrators to enhance UCLA’s research computing infrastructure, programs, and practices. She is dedicated to aligning these efforts with the strategic research mission of the Office of Research and Creative Activities (ORCA) and UCLA, ensuring that the university’s research computing resources meet the evolving needs of the campus community. Her work involves staying abreast of emerging technologies and trends in research computing, which allows UCLA to maintain its competitive edge in the field.

Davida’s responsibilities extend to leading and directing the activities of UCLA’s advanced research computing organization. She oversees the strategic development and delivery of research computing services, formulates high-level plans and strategies, and participates in various committees and councils to advocate for and implement key research technology initiatives. Her leadership fosters a culture of innovation, excellence, and continuous learning, attracting and retaining a highly skilled workforce dedicated to supporting UCLA’s research community.

Davida Johnson has a rich and diverse background in technology. She earned a joint Bachelor of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Humanities and Computer Science Engineering. This unique combination of disciplines has equipped her with the skills to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders, fostering effective communication and collaboration. Additionally, Davida is a passionate advocate for women in technology, and social impact, having co-founded the UCLA Women in Technology initiative, serving on the Innovate@UCLA WIT committee. Davida also co-teaches Eng170, Project-based Tech Bootcamp for Social Impact, where UCLA students work in teams to develop technology solutions for social issues. Davida also volunteers her time as an instructor of a non-profit teaching women digital skills who are survivors of homelessness.