Former Defense Department science and technology policy fellow and industry veteran DJ Patil has been named the new deputy federal CTO for data policy and the nation's first chief data scientist for the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

As deputy CTO, Patil will report directly to Federal CTO Megan Smith but will also work closely with the new Federal CIO, Tony Scott, and the U.S. Digital Service, which will be expanding to 25 more agencies this year.

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"DJ joins the White House following an incredible career as a data scientist – a term he helped coin," Smith said, announcing the appointment. "As chief data scientist, DJ will help shape policies and practices to help the U.S. remain a leader in technology and innovation, foster partnerships to help responsibly maximize the nation's return on its investment in data and help to recruit and retain the best minds in data science to join us in serving the public."

Before returning to the public sector, Patil was vice president of product at RelatelQ. Before that, he served as a data scientist at Greylock, LinkedIn and eBay, as well as holding positions at several universities.

He holds a bachelor in mathematics from University of California San Diego and a doctorate in applied mathematics from University of Maryland College Park.

Patil also served as a science and technology policy fellow for the DoD Defense Threat Reduction Agency in 2004 and 2005.

"DJ's work will help ensure government remains effective and innovative for the American public in our increasingly digital world," Smith said.

Aaron Boyd is an awarding-winning journalist currently serving as editor of Federal Times — a Washington, D.C. institution covering federal workforce and contracting for more than 50 years — and Fifth Domain — a news and information hub focused on cybersecurity and cyberwar from a civilian, military and international perspective.

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