Leveraging real-world diagnostic data to accelerate Alzheimer’s research and care

(Moderator) Dan Jacob, VP & General Manager, Real World Data, Labcorp

Dan Jacob serves as Vice President and General Manager of Labcorp’s Real World Data Solutions team.

Dan has over 15 years of experience in the Life Sciences sector, with a proven track record of building and leading high-performing Real World Evidence and Real World Data teams. His expertise spans strategy development, rapid insight generation, and driving analytic innovation using diverse data sources that help drive efficiency for healthcare payers and pharmaceutical companies.

Most recently, Dan served as Global Head, Real World Evidence, Real World Data, and Behavioral Science at Bayer Consumer Health, and prior to that, he was Vice President and Global Head of Real World Evidence Data & Analytics at Sanofi General Medicines. His deep knowledge and leadership in leveraging data to generate compelling evidence/insights will be invaluable as we continue to expand Labcorp’s capabilities in Real World Evidence and Real World Data.

Dan is a graduate of Columbia University and a native Oregonian. He currently lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his wife and two kids.

Joseph Volpe, Ph.D., Executive Director, Scientific Strategy & Commercialization, Labcorp

Dr. Joseph Volpe graduated from Duke University in 2008 with PhD in computational immunology. He received the American Association of Immunologists Young Investigator Award in 2007 for his work in anti-HIV antibody composition. Upon graduating, Dr Volpe worked as a Medical Science Liaison at Monogram Biosciences, which is now a Labcorp company.

In early 2018, Dr Volpe began building Labcorp’s Neurology program, for which he is now the Scientific Discipline Director. Under his direction, the Neurology program has grown to offer a fully competitive portfolio and establish Labcorp as the leader in neuro-related blood biomarkers, such as NfL, GFAP, and Alzheimer’s markers. He is an author of several peer-reviewed articles and conference posters. He is a two-time Labcorp Chairman’s Award winner, receiving the recognition in 2011 and 2022. He is a member of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). When not working, he plays the piano and writes music, which is available on Spotify and Apple Music.

David Alfego, Ph.D., Sr. Manager, Data Science & RWE, Labcorp

Dr. David Alfego leads Labcorp’s Real World Evidence (RWE) team as a Senior Manager within the AI and Data Science division. He received his PhD in Biomedical Science with a specialty in biostatics and computation biology from Drexel University in 2017 and has 10 years of experience working in clinical data research analyzing diagnostic, genetic, EHR, and closed claims data in various therapeutic areas. His work encompasses insight generation for clinical, payer, and commercial strategy, public health surveillance, and has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications and presentations. He was the recipient of Labcorp’s Laboratorian of the Year (2020) and Chairman’s Awards (2021) and spearheaded the creation of the RWE team in 2023. In his free time, he enjoys running, reading sci-fi novels, and going to the beach with his family.

Wendy Webber Nelson, Ph.D., President & Founder, Boston Biotech Forum

Dr. Wendy Nelson has over 25 years of biopharma industry experience in roles spanning corporate development, project management, operations, business development, R&D, and strategic advisory.  She is currently a Partner at Dreavent Capital, a venture firm specializing in biotech that has deployed $48M in the life sciences space. Her experience includes tenures as CEO at Leading Biotech, Chief Business Officer at Danforth Advisors, an executive level, biopharma strategic consultancy, as well as positions at Alkermes, Alantos Pharmaceuticals, and multiple preclinical and early stage clinical life sciences CROs.

Dr. Nelson is also the President & Founder of the Boston Biotech Forum, a series of highly curated events that consist of discussions on relevant biopharma industry topics and valuable networking for life science executives and investors.  She founded the Forum in Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA in 2011 and has since expanded it to San Francisco, San Diego, Philadelphia, New Haven, and the Boston Seaport. The network consists of over 2500 investors and biopharma executives from more than 600 biopharma companies and VC firms.

Dr. Nelson serves on the Board of Directors of SciSure, is a Strategic Advisor to Tolion Health and ModernVivo, serves as a Venture Partner at Waterman Ventures, and is a member of the APOE4 Alzheimer’s Alliance.  Dr. Nelson earned her M.S. in Engineering and PhD in Medical Sciences (Artificial Organs, Biomaterials, and Cellular Technology), both from Brown University. In her free time, Wendy competes in triathlons and enjoys climbing mountains.

Eli Shobin, Ph.D., Senior Director, US Diagnostic Strategy & Commercialization, Biogen

Dr. Eli Shobin is a Senior Director at Biogen, where he leads U.S. Alzheimer’s diagnostic strategy and commercialization, with a focus on advancing scalable, clinically actionable diagnostic pathways. His work sits at the intersection of biomarkers, marketing, and market access to support the adoption of technologies across the Alzheimer’s care pathway.

Previously, Eli worked in diagnostics and life sciences strategy consulting, advising organizations on biomarker, diagnostic, and neuroscience strategies, and served at the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), where he led diagnostic diligence and program management within the Diagnostics Accelerator.

Eli holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Boston University, where his research focused on neuroimmunology, aging, and mechanisms of cognitive decline.