Alex Harding

Alex Harding is a senior software developer and director of the Data Engineering and Visualization (DEV) program at RTI. Mr. Harding leads and works with software developers, data scientists, researchers, and analysts to develop novel software solutions for problems across the spectrum of domains at RTI.

Mr. Harding’s expertise as a full-stack software developer is in data-intensive applications and web-based products, including data visualization and storytelling, high performance data engineering, automation, API development, database architecture, DevSecOps and more. As a project manager and program director, Mr. Harding brings additional expertise in Agile software development methodologies, user centered design, project/personnel management, and technical culture building.

Currently, Mr. Harding is the creator of the open-source Harness-Vue ecosystem of plugins for developing web-based data visualization dashboards. Harness-Vue powers 30+ data visualization products at RTI, including BJS N-DASH. Mr. Harding has also served as lead developer on mapMECFS, a National Institute of Health-funded data sharing portal that allows members of the myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome research community to upload, share and explore data in a secure and performant environment. Additionally, Mr. Harding manages and contributes to a suite of web-based tools for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, using micro-simulation to predict a variety of diabetes, social determinants of health, and other chronic disease health and economic outcomes. Mr. Harding enjoys working across domains, having made significant contributions to work in health, justice, environment, education, and many other fields. 

Beyond his project work, Mr. Harding also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill School for Information and Library Science (SILS), teaching introductory programming in python in the Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP).

Prior to joining RTI in 2019, Mr. Harding developed web applications for researchers at UNC Chapel Hill’s Sheps Center for Health Services Research. Mr. Harding has also held a number of technical positions at the educational institutions that he attended.