NRF Women's Month 2026: Rosly Renil

Every research journey starts with a question. This Women’s Month, the NRF celebrates women driven by curiosity — researchers whose questions, ideas and determination are expanding our understanding of the world around us. From exploring the unknown to deepening our existing knowledge, curiosity remains at the heart of discovery. We thank all participants for sharing their stories with us.

Ms Rosly Renil is a Senior Science Data Operations Lead at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRF-SARAO). Her expertise lies in transforming raw streams of information into reliable and accessible knowledge, safeguarding quality, and ensuring that researchers worldwide can trust and build on the data that drives discovery.

How has your affiliation with the NRF impacted your studies/career?

My journey with the NRF began in 2005, when I joined a small team as a Software & Computing Specialist working on the early SKA SA radio astronomy instruments and programmes – XDM, Fringe Finder and KAT‑7. At that time, the field was still in its formative stages, and I was captivated by the excitement of building new in-house systems. Interfaces were being developed and tested, and I had the privilege of working with cutting‑edge tools while collaborating with diverse teams and industry partners. Those early years were not only about technology, but also about people – training, mentoring and learning together as we shaped the foundations of South Africa’s radio astronomy capabilities.

What inspired me most was the sense of possibility. Each project carried the promise of discovery and each challenge demanded creativity and resilience. As the initiatives grew into the landmark MeerKAT telescope, the NRF stood beside me, supporting my career journey and encouraging me to take on new roles and responsibilities. With every step forward, I found myself drawn into more complex teams, entrusted with leading roles that tested my skills and expanded my horizons. 

Currently, in the role of Senior Science Data Operations Lead within the Commissioning & Science Operations Team at NRF-SARAO, I collaborate closely with cross‑functional engineering and science groups to ensure that data systems are robust, reliable and ready to support scientific research.

I look back with gratitude at the opportunities that NRF has provided me to grow, to lead and to be part of a legacy that is shaping the future of young minds in engineering, science and astronomy. My journey reflects not only personal growth, but also the power of collaboration and the vision of an organisation committed to advancing science and innovation.

What is your research focus or area of expertise?

Science today produces enormous amounts of data – from telescopes scanning the skies to real-time sensor monitoring systems. But raw data alone isn’t enough. It needs to be organised, preserved and made accessible, so researchers can trust it and use it to make discoveries. That’s where science data operations come in. 

I focus on the operational aspect of NRF-SARAO’s annual science open time calls, user interface testing, and managing data access and storage systems that archive telescope data such as MeerKAT, MeerKAT Extension and the Mid-SKA joint science initiative collaboration.

My expertise lies in transforming raw streams of information into reliable and accessible knowledge, safeguarding quality, and ensuring that researchers worldwide can trust and build on the data that drives discovery.

What sparked your curiosity about your field of research, and what continues to keep you curious? 

My curiosity was first sparked by the sheer scale of data that modern science instruments produce.

Standing in front of a telescope array or big systems, I realised that behind every discovery lies an invisible backbone – the data itself.

What fascinated me was not just the science, but the challenge of ensuring that this vast stream of information could be trusted, preserved and transformed into knowledge. I remain inspired by the global collaboration this work supports, knowing that researchers across continents rely on the systems we build to share knowledge seamlessly.

I’m also driven by the long‑term impact – the thought that data preserved today may unlock breakthroughs decades from now.

What is one thing you wish more people understood about your field of research? 

Science data operations is the behind‑the‑scenes work that ensures the vast amounts of information collected by modern observatories and research projects are reliable, accessible and usable. It ensures that the incredible information collected by modern observatories doesn’t just sit in storage but becomes usable knowledge that fuels discovery, innovation and progress.

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