Session Abstract – PMWC 2018 Silicon Valley
Session Synopsis: In order to facilitate the identification of targets or to provide individualized patient care, the ultimate practice of precision medicine, optimal use of the wide variety of translational data collected on patients is of critical importance. Yet, it is difficult to identify biomarkers with traditional methods given the much larger number of variables measured, compared to the number of patients enrolled in a clinical trial. As a result, very few organizations are leveraging all their data assets to identify what treatments work best for individual patients in an unbiased manner. As the data collected in clinical trials and during a patients’ life journey increases exponentially, this session aims to showcase how machine learning is a critical component to making personalized medicine a reality at the example of predictive biomarker identification, the development of holistic solutions for patients with complex diseases and its potential to impact value based pricing strategies.
Session Chair Profile
Ph.D., Associate Director, Precision Medicine Initiatives, GNS Healthcare, Inc.
Biography
Dr. Diane Wuest develops strategic relationships with precision medicine partners to develop and commercialize computer models capable of elucidating disease mechanisms, advancing drug discovery and development, and improving patient care. Diane manages ongoing alliances and leverages internal analytic and product development teams to implement company-wide initiatives. Prior to GNS Healthcare, Diane worked at Genentech and obtained a Ph.D. in chemical and biomolecular engineering from the University of Delaware. Diane holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Cornell University.
Speaker Profile
Ph.D., Senior Vice President, DPU Head, ln Silico Discovery, GSK Pharmaceuticals
Biography
John Baldoni heads a newly formed drug discovery unit dedicated to explore and apply in silico methodology to drug discovery and development at GSK. This new appointment follows his role as Senior Vice President, Platform Technology and Science (PTS), GSK Pharma R&D. Baldoni joined GSK in 1989 and has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 37 years. His experience spans new chemical entity design, development and commercialization, and biopharmaceutical development. In progressing to his current role, Baldoni has held various positions at GSK including Senior Vice President, Preclinical Development; Vice President, Product Development; Director, Product Development; and Assistant Director, Biopharmaceutical Formulation Development, among others. He has led several key cross-functional problem solving and strategic initiatives. Baldoni has a BS in biochemistry (1974), and MS and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry (1980) from Penn State University.
Speaker Profile
Ph.D., Executive Director, Computational Biology, MRL at Merck
Biography
Dr. Joseph Lehar is an executive director of computational biology at Merck Research Laboratories. Before MRL, Joseph built computational biology teams at Google/Verily, Novartis, and CombinatoRx, a biotech focused on drug combinations. Joseph holds a Ph.D. in physics, and his original career was astrophysics, which he pursued at MIT, Cambridge University, and Harvard. Joseph’s experience includes systems biology, high-throughput screening, clinical investigations, and digital phenotypes across multiple disease areas. In his current role, Joseph is involved with external collaborations and digital health.
Speaker Profile
Ph.D., Chief Computing Officer, Calico Labs
Biography
Daphne Koller is one of the world’s foremost experts in machine learning and its application to biology and human health. She is Calico’s Chief Computing Officer. She was previously Co-founder and President at Coursera, a leading online educational platform, following 18 years on the Computer Science faculty at Stanford University. Koller is the recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, the ACM Prize in Computing, and membership in the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She was recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in 2014, Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People for 2012, Newsweek’s 10 Most Important People in 2010 and Huffington Post 100 Game Changers for 2010. She received her bachelor’s and master’s from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and her Ph.D. in computer science from Stanford.
