In the latest episode of Gateway to Informatics, Dr. Philip Payne, WashU Medicine's Chief Data Scientist, hosts Dr. Sandro Galea, the inaugural Margaret C Ryan Dean of the newly established Washington University School of Public Health. Dr. Galea, a renowned population health scientist and physician, shares his extraordinary journey from Malta to Canada and ultimately to St. Louis, detailing his pioneering work in public health. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Galea provides profound insights into his ambitious vision for the new public health school, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and the role of social causation in addressing the most significant health challenges of our time.

This episode delves deep into Dr. Galea's career, including his roles at prestigious institutions such as Boston University and Columbia University, and his impactful experiences working in remote areas globally. Additionally, it explores his thoughts on the evolving landscape of public health education and practice, the critical need for robust partnerships between academia and the public and private sectors, and his strategic plans for building a transformative and resilient public health school at WashU. Join us as we uncover how innovative data science and biostatistics can foster healthier communities and save lives.

Gateway to Informatics
i2db.washu.edu/gatewaytoinformatics
Produced by the Institute for Informatics, Data Science & Biostatistics (I2DB), WashU Medicine.
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In this episode of "Gateway to Informatics," Dr. Philip Payne, the WashU medicine chief data scientist and director of I2DB, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Miguel Hernán, a leading expert in causal inference from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Dr. Hernán shares insights into his career journey, which began unexpectedly in medical school and evolved through work in biostatistics and epidemiology. He emphasizes the significant impact of mentors, particularly highlighting the influence of Jamie Robbins, who taught him the importance of asking the right questions and connecting theory to practice.

The discussion delves into the concept of causal inference, explaining its critical role in both clinical decision-making and policymaking. Dr. Hernán underscores the need for precise questions and robust methods to derive meaningful insights from health system data, which can lead to better clinical outcomes and informed policies. They also explore the future implications of integrating advanced data analysis methods, non-structured data, and collaboration across disciplines. The episode concludes with advice for aspiring students and the potential for transformative impacts in health data science, emphasizing the ongoing evolution and interdisciplinary nature of the field.

Gateway to Informatics
i2db.washu.edu/gatewaytoinformatics
Produced by the Institute for Informatics, Data Science & Biostatistics (I2DB), WashU Medicine.
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In this compelling episode of Gateway to Informatics, Dr. Philip Payne, WashU's chief data scientist and director of the Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), delves into an insightful discussion with Jennifer Pahlka, author of Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better. Pahlka, a senior fellow at the Niskanen Center and the Federation of American Scientists, and founder of Code for America, shares her profound perspectives on the digital transformation of government services. Having served as the Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the United States under President Obama and a member of the Defense Innovation Board, Pahlka brings a wealth of experience and accolades to the conversation.

Throughout the episode, they explore the cultural and practical barriers to digital transformation in complex institutions like academia and government. Pahlka emphasizes the importance of aligning technology with user-centric needs and the potential of incremental yet impactful changes to drive significant improvements. She also discusses the role of AI, the importance of policy and implementation integration, and the crucial need for storytelling in policy-making. This engaging discussion sheds light on how digital principles can not only streamline services but also significantly enhance the interaction between citizens and government.

Gateway to Informatics
i2db.washu.edu/gatewaytoinformatics
Produced by the Institute for Informatics, Data Science & Biostatistics (I2DB), WashU Medicine.
Follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Bluesky.
Have feedback or questions? Contact us!