Dinner Short Course
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Short Courses
Monday, May 18, 2026 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
SC SC: AI Implementation in Practice: A Hands-on Short Course (Bring Your Laptop)
This interactive workshop offers a hands-on introduction to AI in clinical operations. Instructors will demonstrate AI tools and approaches using real-world prompts, showing practical applications and best practices. Participants will gain insights into AI APIs, effective prompt engineering, and strategies to integrate AI into workflows, enhancing efficiency, decision-making, and team readiness.
6:00 PM AI Implementation in Practice: A Hands-on Short Course (Bring Your Laptop)
Jonathan Crowther, PhD, Head, Operational Design Center, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
This interactive workshop offers a hands-on introduction to AI in clinical operations. Instructors will demonstrate AI tools and approaches using real-world prompts, showing practical applications and best practices. Participants will gain insights into AI APIs, effective prompt engineering, and strategies to integrate AI into workflows, enhancing efficiency, decision-making, and team readiness.
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES:
Strategic Visionary in Digital Transformation & Analytics Leadership with Proven Analytics Portfolio Management Expertise
With a keen eye for Strategic Vision, I've been at the forefront of advancing analytical capabilities, particularly in site intelligence, operational metrics, and quality indicators. My prowess in Digital Transformation has been instrumental in the on-time delivery and precision of a diverse suite of predictive models, leveraging ML/AI and Generative AI technologies.
My role extends beyond mere strategy. I've championed an analytical development portfolio including in-house data & analytics transaction platform serving >1400 users, generative AI, and advanced modeling for business intel, ensuring robust analytical methodologies are in place, which has been pivotal for leadership and governance decisions. My expertise in Business Analytics and Product Analytics has been the backbone of this success, coupled with a budget management responsibility of >$5M.
Building and nurturing relationships is at the core of my approach. I've continuously influenced key organizational stakeholders, ensuring the seamless adaptation and implementation of analytics and intelligence strategies. My proficiency in Engagement Management and Data Governance has been crucial in maintaining positive vendor partnerships, emphasizing quality delivery and continuous improvement.
As a people leader, I've instilled a performance-centric culture, emphasizing Business Planning and actionable metrics. My commitment to Data Strategies and analytical thinking has ensured project and portfolio deliveries are not just timely but also rooted in process improvement. I've coordinated work with an agile mindset, ensuring products are delivered with consistency and precision.
My technical acumen extends to Natural Language Processing (NLP), Business Intelligence (BI), data visualization, and cloud platforms including AWS, positioning me at the intersection of strategy and technology.
Prasanna Rao is a distinguished AI practitioner and industry thought leader, currently serving as the Chief Products and Innovation Officer at Saama Technologies. With over 30 years of experience in information technology and analytics, including more than a decade in healthcare and life sciences, Prasanna brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.
Previously, as Global Head of AI/ML, Clinical Data Sciences at Pfizer Research & Development, Prasanna worked closely with stakeholders, vendors, business SMEs, machine learning developers, and data scientists to foster innovation and advance the adoption of AI in clinical data sciences. His tenure at IBM Watson as a Watson Solution Architect was marked by significant achievements in implementing AI systems for a diverse range of clients.
An accomplished speaker, Prasanna regularly presents at major industry conferences, including SCDM, DIA, SCOPE, DPharm, Tufts University CSDD, and Outsourcing Clinical Trials (OCT). He is also the holder of an IBM patent titled "Monitoring Clinical Research Performance," further cementing his status as a leading authority in leveraging technology for clinical development in the pharmaceutical industry. Prasanna continues to drive transformative advancements in AI and machine learning, delivering groundbreaking solutions to accelerate clinical research and development.
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