Appointment in Medical Data Science

Medical Data Science Professor: Prof. Benjamin Ineichen

Appointment of DCR Professor of Medical Data Science

Newly established Medical Data Science Unit

In 2025, the Department of Clinical Research (DCR) established the Medical Data Science (MDS) Unit. The unit addresses a broad spectrum of topics in translational and clinical research, including drug development pathways from preclinical animal studies to human application.

Appointment of Medical Data Science Professor

Prof. Benjamin Ineichen was appointed to lead the newly founded Medical Data Science Unit within the Department of Clinical Research (DCR). His work focuses on advancing data-driven approaches in medicine, with particular emphasis on translational research and the development of therapies from experimental models to clinical use.

Medical Data Science focuses on making medical data useful by combining descriptive analysis, machine learning, and statistics, supported by expertise in programming, data handling, statistical reasoning, and medicine.

The Medical Data Science Unit supports clinical researchers in integrating unstructured data, synthesizing evidence for study planning, contributing to efficient trial design, and developing a tool that combines unstructured data and systematic reviews to inform clinical decision-making.

Connecting Preclinical Research to Clinical Application

Drug development from animal studies to human use and regulatory approval is often inefficient. Promising findings in animal studies don’t always translate to success in humans, and the factors that determine whether a drug ultimately gains regulatory approval remain poorly understood.

PhD student Simona Doneva is tackling this challenge. She has developed an AI-powered platform, leveraging large language models, to systematically mine and connect evidence from preclinical animal studies to clinical trials, with a particular focus on neuroscience. By mapping these links, her work lays the groundwork for uncovering patterns that distinguish drugs likely to fail from those poised for regulatory success.

Learn more about Prof. Benjamin Ineichen here.