Conference on Semantics in Healthcare and Life Sciences (CSHALS)

Presentation Title: Will Semantic Knowledge Management Ever Succeed in Pharma?

Abstract: Pharma has been wooing semantic knowledge management for a number of years, but has it really made a difference? There is a general consensus that semantic KM has the potential to provide great value, but what is needed to really make this a success. The presentation will explore some of experiments, share lessons learned, and explore what is needed for effective knowledge management in a pharma setting.

Biography: At Merck, I lead Basic Research & Biomarker IT working with leadership in Basic Research to develop and manage a portfolio of research applications, systems and high performance computing infrastructure to support target ID through lead optimization. Biomarker IT support reaches beyond Basic Research and with tight collaboration with Clinical Development IT delivers IT solutions to enable and support Translational Research.

Prior to Merck, my work at Booz Allen was working with the partnership to establish and build out the PharmaIT practice. This spanned the entire pharma value chain with projects such as post-merger integration, IT strategy, informatics strategy, organizational change and design.

My work at CuraGen also spanned the entire pharma research and development continuum and included informatics strategy, design, implementation, support, and integration across basic research, pre-clinical, development, clinical, and regulatory functions. Also, at CuraGen I was responsible for corporate IT.

I have a strong background in biology and numerous years of informatics/IT experience. I am interested in providing scientists greater access to all forms of information with the end goal of expediting their research. I have over a decade of industry experience managing highly technical software engineers and IT professionals.