The Outstanding Technical Contribution Award this year will go to Ms. Vanessa Michelini, an IBM Distinguished Engineer and Master Inventor.
Over the last 6 years, she has led Watson for Genomics (WfG), an artificial intelligence (AI) Software-as-a-service (SaaS) offering for personalized cancer patient care.
WfG identifies genetic mutations detected in tumor and it associates drugs and clinical trials based on evidence in the medical literature helping oncologists to make informed decisions.
WfG is part of a revolutionary approach in the healthcare industry also known as Precision Medicine.
Michelini led a global team to develop and commercially launch WfG, which is the first Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant AI system to perform genomics interpretation in clinical oncology.
She also played a key role scaling the offering to a multi-million-dollar business.
Throughout her career, Michelini has worked in a variety of emergent technologies and markets, leading projects and teams to solve client business problems, develop products, technologies and standards, define strategies and help trouble accounts.
“Vanessa is a strong, personally-committed advocate for women in technology," said Rhonda Childress, an IBM vice president, Fellow, and Master Inventor. "She actively coaches and mentors individuals leveraging various programs in the company, as well as seeks and promotes ways to attract diversity talent to IBM.”
Register now for the Women of Color STEM Virtual Conference, October 8-10.
