Expanding its capabilities in the application of machine learning, big data and analytics to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into new medicines and treatments for diseases, the Center for Integration of Science and Industry at Bentley University has appointed Ekaterina Galkina Cleary, PhD, as a postdoctoral fellow and R. Mark Adams, PhD, as a visiting faculty in the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences.

Cleary and Adams’ efforts will seamlessly help advance the mission of the center, which is to understand the process by which science is translated for public value and speed up that process by engaging science and industry in interdisciplinary dialogue, scholarship, education, and service. Notes Cleary, “The advance of machine learning, data analytics, and data visualization is revolutionizing how we use information. The Center’s goal is to mine critical information from current biomedical research literature, and put this information into action to accelerate drug discovery and development.”

“Many of the methods used for analyzing big data actually originated in the fields of genomics and bioinformatics, but the biopharmaceutical industry has been slow to effectively apply these approaches to technology management.” says Adams. “The expert systems being developed by the Center have the potential to increase the pace and reduce the cost of the drug development process.”

Cleary received a PhD in Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology from UMass Lowell, where her thesis work focused on statistical modeling of environmental risk factors influencing Alzheimer’s disease progression. She has a BS in Biology/Bioinformatics from UMass Lowell, a MS degree in Bioinformatics from Boston University, and has applied her analytical training in studies ranging from exploring the genetic basis of Huntington’s Disease, to the visualization of ultrafine particle pollution in Boston communities. She is an active member of the Million Women Mentors program.

Adams has been working in data analytics for almost 20 years, including work in computational biology, biomedicine, intelligence, finance, and biotechnology. He is currently the Chief Information Officer at Celmatix and Entrepreneur in Residence at Booz Allen Hamilton. He was previously a principal with Booz Allen Hamilton, where he developed a leading biomedical informatics consulting practice with a primary focus on informatics strategy for clients in the commercial, government, and non-profit markets. He has also held senior positions with Bridgewater Associates, Good Start Genetics, and Variagenics.  Adams holds a BA from Oberlin College and a PhD from Baylor College of Medicine.

For more information about the Center for Integration of Science and Industry, visit their website www.bentley.edu/sciindustry and follow them on Twitter @sciindustry.