How AI is Transforming Drug Development

Jason Sparapani, Content Manager, Insights, MIT Tech Review

Jason is an editor and writer with more than 12 years of experience in print and online journalism. As content manager at MIT Technology Review’s custom research division, Insights, he develops and produces custom editorial content. Before arriving at Tech Review, Jason worked at the technology media company TechTarget as a writer and editor. Most recently, he was features writer on SearchCIO.com, a website for chief information officers, covering technology news, strategy, and trends. Previously, Jason was editor of e-publications, managing two online magazines, SearchDataManagement.com’s Business Information and SearchHealthIT.com’s Pulse, and a variety of tech-focused e-books and handbooks.

Nagaraja Srivatsan, Chief Digital Officer, R&D Technology Solutions, IQVIA

Srivatsan has over thirty years of experience in growing businesses in the Digital, Data, AI, Analytics, IT and Operations management areas across several industry verticals. Currently as Chief Digital Officer for R&DS Technologies he is responsible for driving growth and leading product development and operations of R&DS Technologies.

Srivatsan was recognized as the top 100 most inspiring people in the life sciences industry award by PharmaVOICE publication and has been regularly quoted in national and global magazines on digital, Automation, Analytics, AI, healthcare & life sciences-related topics. Srivatsan holds a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from B.I.T.S. in India and a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from Northwestern University. He also completed graduate studies in Telecommunications Policy and Management at Northwestern University.

Behrooz Najafi, CTO/CIO, Calithera

Behrooz is an accomplished, results-driven, senior information technology executive with extensive domestic and international experience in the life science industry. He’s a creative visionary who attracts, motivates and develops high-performing teams resulting in a proven track record of success applying technology strategy and implementing enterprise-wide technology solutions and services. He has designed and delivered strategic programs to derive maximum return on investment while transforming and modernizing the enterprise, thus positioning IT as a true business partner. Behrooz is entrepreneurial and passionate about technology, innovation, talent, and strategy.

Holly Leslie, Sr. Director, Life Sciences, Egnyte

Holly Leslie is the Senior Director of Life Sciences at Egnyte, where she works as a bridge between the sales and products teams providing solution thought leadership with an eye to improving the life science customer journey. Egnyte for Life Sciences enables companies to rapidly create a compliant, validated repository for their regulated data assets.

Her 20+ year career has spanned both life sciences and system integration, including Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Maverick Technologies, DrugDev (a division of IQVIA) and most recently, Medidata, a Dassault company. Her career has centered on leveraging and implementing meaningful technology solutions that drive the Life Science industry forward, improving the operational side of clinical research for sponsors, research sites and CROs, with the ultimate aim of improving the patient journey.