Chief Data Officer (CDO) Magazine named NETL’s Kelly Rose, senior fellow, Computational Sciences & Engineering, among its Top 50 Data Changemakers for the Energy Sector in 2025 for her work contributing to seismic change in her field.

The energy industry is facing a convergence of challenges such as increased demand for electricity, shifts in policy and market, integration with renewable power sources and an evolution in how energy resources are sourced and consumed. At the same time, the energy industry has seen a dramatic rise in the expansion of data centers and use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications. As the energy sector generates more data and opportunities for data-driven research, effective data management, access and security solutions become essential.

The role of data in optimizing energy delivery has never been more important, and data is now being leveraged in new and creative ways to meet the demands of an increasingly tech-driven and power-hungry economy.

At NETL, Rose’s research focuses on the development of novel, science-based, data-driven methods and advanced computing solutions to address energy resource and security challenges. Notably, she led the development of the Energy Data eXchange, an award-winning platform for research data curation and collaboration. EDX version 1 was deployed in 2011, but the system is now midway through a hybrid-cloud and AI-enhanced version update to meet today’s data curation and digital R&D innovation needs.

Presently, Rose serves as NETL's Senior Fellow for Computational Science & Engineering. In addition to her leadership in development of NETL's award-winning Energy Data eXchange® (EDX), an AI-enhanced virtual collaboration platform and R&D data curation system, she previously served as the inaugural Technical Director of NETL’s Science-based AI/ML Institute (SAMI), and established and leads NETL’s GAIA (Geoscience Artificial Intelligence and Analysis) group, advancing geo-data science research to innovation solutions to applied energy challenges.

Throughout her career, Rose has successfully developed and led collaborative teams that deliver impactful, innovative solutions using advanced computing, data science resources and models that are reusable, scalable and reproducible.

Her work spans a variety of scientific domains, including geology, energy resource discovery, risk mitigation, geoinformatics, research data management, metocean studies, unconventional critical materials, hydrocarbon systems, mineral and groundwater resources, geohazards forecasting, materials innovation and infrastructure resiliency.

“I’m humbled to be recognized by CDO Magazine,” Rose said. “More than anything, however, this recognition represents the importance of the Lab’s commitment to the power of data and responsible digital innovation.  Developing and deploying systematic data science and curation practices for our applied mission over the last fifteen years has enabled us to push the envelope developing the next generation of architectures, tools and technologies that help address new energy R&D challenges as they emerge.”

Rose was one of several U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) personnel to make CDO Magazine’s 2025 Top 50 Data Changemakers for the Energy Sector. Among them was Robert King, DOE’s chief data officer.

“The U.S. Department of Energy is proud to see so many of its data thought leaders and trailblazers recognized in CDO Magazine’s Top 50 Data Changemakers in the Energy Sector list,” King said in a statement. “Their leadership is enabling transformative discoveries in applied energy research and national security through the harnessing of data to drive maturity in data science and artificial intelligence. As data is the foundation for cutting-edge AI and scientific advancements, these trailblazers’ expertise and innovation are truly advancing the agency’s mission; shaping a smarter, more efficient and more secure future.”

NETL is a U.S. DOE national laboratory dedicated to advancing the nation's energy future by creating innovative solutions that strengthen the security, affordability and reliability of energy systems and natural resources. With laboratories in Albany, Oregon; Morgantown, West Virginia; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, NETL creates advanced energy technologies that support DOE’s mission while fostering collaborations that will lead to a resilient and abundant energy future for the nation.