Visa’s New Research Division Digs Into Digital Commerce

Visa Inc. is magnifying its efforts in the field of technology research, expanding its capabilities worldwide and bringing on a scientist specifically to lead those endeavors.

The global payments technology company announced yesterday (April 30) that it has appointed Min Wang as Senior Vice President of Visa Research Labs, the company’s newly expanded technology research division.

Visa Research Labs, as noted in a press release, will build upon existing technology research and incubator efforts with a focus on applied science and deep research. Part of its operations will include engaging with academics, global think tanks, governments and security experts on emerging technologies in the payments industry.

The release adds that Wang — who holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Computer Science from Duke University — was most recently a Senior Staff Research Scientist at Google Research, where she had focused on data mining. Prior to being in that position, she had held similar roles at HP Labs China and at the Unified Data Analytics Department at the IBM Watson Research Center. At Visa, she will report directly to Rajat Taneja, who is the company’s Executive Vice President of Technology.

“Digital commerce is rapidly evolving due to the introduction of new technologies. As the world becomes more connected, every device, car, or appliance becomes a place where secure digital commerce can take place,” said Taneja in the press release. “I am excited to expand our technology research efforts and have Min lead Visa Research Labs. This effort has the potential to shape the way we pay and get paid in the future, and transform the lives of millions of unbanked consumers by finally providing them with access to secure digital commerce.”

Part and parcel with its expansion of Visa Research Labs, the company additionally states in the press release that it has launched a global recruitment program to attract tech talent to Visa. Visa has designs on creating 2,000 more full-time technologist positions.