The Evolving Role of Programming and Data Science in Pharma
Session Details
Date & Time: Friday, August 21, 2026, 2:30 PM–4:00 PM
Location: Science 1 G01
Organizers: Albert Man, Shubhadeep Chakraborty
Friday, Aug 21st, 2026
Title: Careers in Data Science: Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Focus - Discover how your skills can transform healthcare
Speaker: Aron Wisneski, Associate Director
Bristol Myers Squibb
Aron Wisneski is an Associate Director of
Statistical Programming at Bristol Myers Squibb, bringing over
25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Since
joining BMS in 2020, he has served as a Therapeutic Area Expert
in Cell Therapy, leveraging his deep expertise in statistical
programming to drive innovation in one of the most cutting-edge
areas of modern medicine. Aron is passionate about the
intersection of data science and healthcare, and is dedicated to
helping others discover how their analytical skills can create
meaningful impact for patients.
Abstract: The biopharmaceutical industry is one of the most impactful arenas for data science professionals. It drives revolutionary medical innovations and offers a growing demand for skills in R, SAS, Python, and AI. This presentation explores how these tools are applied across the clinical research lifecycle — from data collection and processing to statistical analysis and regulatory reporting. Attendees will discover a range of career pathways, from entry-level Statistical Programmer to advanced Data Science Lead. The session will also cover the essential skills needed for success and provide actionable steps for launching or growing a career where data science directly transforms patient outcomes.
Friday, Aug 21st, 2026
Title: Revolutionizing R&D in Pharma with Data Science and AI
Speaker: Aditi Basu, Senior Manager
Bristol Myers Squibb
Aditi Basu Bal is a researcher
specializing in machine learning and statistical modeling to
extract meaningful insights from complex biomedical data. She is
a Data Scientist at BMS Enterprise and holds a PhD in Statistics
from Florida State University, along with an Integrated MSc in
Mathematics and Computing from BIT Mesra. In her leisure time,
she is an Indian classical Odissi dancer, loves exploring new
countries, and is often the go-to person for planning memorable
travel itineraries.
Abstract: When I entered the pharmaceutical industry as a data scientist with a statistics background, I expected to work mostly with structured clinical datasets and familiar analytical questions, but I quickly realized I had joined the field at a moment of rapid transformation. In just a few years, data science in pharmaceutical research has evolved from supporting analyses to shaping how we generate knowledge across discovery, development, and decision-making. The arrival of generative AI and large language models made that shift impossible to ignore, accelerating new ways to integrate biological, clinical, operational, and real-world data; harness machine intelligence to uncover patterns and generate hypotheses; and support faster, more informed scientific decisions. Recent breakthroughs, from AI-designed therapies advancing into clinical development to multimodal models learning jointly from molecular, imaging, clinical, and real-world data, suggest that the future of pharmaceutical research will depend on how effectively we turn diverse data streams into actionable insight. Just as importantly, that future will be shaped by how quickly, thoughtfully, and efficiently we incorporate AI into every step of our work, from knowledge generation and study planning to analysis, interpretation, and communication. This talk will share that evolution from an early-career perspective and reflect on why this is such an exciting time for students in statistics, data science, and related fields to help shape the future of drug development.
Friday, Aug 21st, 2026
Title: Quantifying Success: My Career Path in Mathematics and Statistics.
Speaker:Ann Sbriglio, Director of Programming
Takeda
Ann Sbriglio is a Director of Programming
at Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., where she leads the
Vaccines, Plasma-Derived Therapies, and Marketed Products
therapy areas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics
from WPI and a master’s degree in statistics from UConn before
beginning her career at Pfizer. Starting as a hands-on
programmer, she supported data analysis for regulatory reporting
and went on to build more than 24 years of experience across
Neuroscience, Oncology, and Vaccines. She later joined Takeda,
where she continues to support clinical trials and regulatory
submissions. Ann is known for her cross-functional leadership,
commitment to quality, and ability to build high-performing
teams while advancing programming excellence in drug
development. Ann lives in Connecticut and has two children, both
in college. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, spending time
with family, and attending live sporting events.
Abstract: TBD