We are proud to announce the shortlist for our 2026 Data Science Talent Awards.
For the second year running our Young Data Scientist of the Year Award will recognize and reward emerging talent in life sciences. This year we have also introduced a new Data Science Team of the Year Award to showcase the importance of innovation and collaboration in advancing life sciences R&D.
Entries were received from across the industry, demonstrating technical excellence, innovation and impact. Our expert panel of judges are currently selecting three finalists for each category to present at the Pistoia Alliance’s upcoming conference at London’s Royal Society of Medicine, April 13-14, 2026, where the winners will be chosen following a live audience vote.
Young Data Scientist of the Year Shortlist
- Jon-Michael Beasley, AbbVie
- Shruti Kaushal, AbbVie
- Jagjot Tamber, Ascent Pharmaceuticals
- Minerva Martinez, AstraZeneca
- Joseph Oddy, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult
- Jackson Faulx, CSL
- Zachary Hatzenbeller, GlaxoSmithKline
- Yixing Lu, Lonza
- Renad Alzghoul, Princess Sumaya University for Technology
- Zoe Bleicher, Rancho BioSciences
- Aishwarya Pathak, Rancho BioSciences
- Patrik Hegel, Sanofi
Data Science Team of the Year Shortlist (Team leader and company)
- Brian Martin, AbbVie
- Numan Karim, AbbVie
- Elisabeth Dietze, AstraZeneca
- Sophie Bailes, AstraZeneca
- Annika Kreuchwig, Bayer AG
- Alena Sheveleva, Dassault Systèmes
- Arup Sarmah, Novartis
- David Mucientes, Novartis
- Oleg Stroganov, Rancho BioSciences
- Raul Rodriguez-Esteban, Roche
- Gopalika Sharma, Sanofi
- Sven Jager, Sanofi
- Andrew Wyatt, Sapio Sciences
- Yufei Luo, Servier
Judges
- Lars Greiffenberg, Senior Director, R&D Information Research, AbbVie
- Derek Marren, Senior Director – Principle IT capability Business Partner & AI Lead for Research, AstraZeneca
- Anastasia Christianson, Senior Industry Advisor
- Bryn Williams-Jones, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Connected Discovery Ltd
- Sergio Rotstien, Senior Industry Advisor
- Becky Upton, President, Pistoia Alliance
- Christian Baber, Chief Portfolio Officer, Pistoia Alliance
Further details about the Pistoia Alliance’s London conference can be found here.