Elias Abou Zeid
Cambridge
Summary
Seasoned data Scientist with expertise in AI/ML, digital health, real-world data, drug and software development. Skilled in strategy, analytics, and communication, with proven success leading projects and mentoring teams.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal Data Scientist
Novo Nordisk
01.2023 - Current
- Reporting to Global Head of Digital Data Science, I lead hands-on the development of endpoints across therapeutic areas, using AI/ML, digital devices, imaging, real-world and clinical data
- Develop team business cases, strategy, best practices and KPIs
- Lead development of study protocols and analysis plan, hands-on data exploration and visualization, development and validation of AI/ML and statistical models for drug development
- Present results to management in visually appealing and understandable manner
- Lead the collaboration with internal cross-functional teams (clinical operations, medical and science, regulatory, biostatistics, IT) for clinical trial design and data collection
- Lead the collaboration with external vendors and organizations
- Participate in the discussions with regulatory organizations (FDA, EMA)
- Speak at and attend field related summits, conferences, and workshops
- Manage and mentor data scientists and engineers
Associate Director Data Science
Sanofi Genzyme
07.2019 - 01.2023
- Reporting to VP of AI & Deep Analytics, I led and managed the Digital Health Analytics team in the development of digital biomarkers and AI/ML methods to augment/support decision making in clinical trials operations and endpoints development across therapeutic areas
- Translate business needs into tangible technical projects and solutions
- Lead hands-on, the exploration, visualization and analyses of complex datasets using AI/ML, statistical modelling/predict/estimate outcomes/measures
- Present results to management in a visually appealing and easy to understand manner
- Write white papers and scientific journal articles, participate in patents preparation
- Lead the collaboration with internal cross-functional teams (clinicians, translational medicine scientists, regulatory, statisticians, IT professionals, etc.) and external technology vendors and academia
- Speak at and attend field related scientific conferences, seminars, and workshops
- Educate and demonstrate the role of AI/ML and digital health across the company
- Supervise and mentor scientists and engineers
Advanced Algorithm Engineer
Masimo Corporation
12.2013 - 07.2019
- Research and develop signal processing, machine/deep learning and mathematical modeling algorithms for non-invasive medical devices (Application: EEG brain monitoring for anesthesia, pulse oximetry, vital signs)
- Develop algorithms using MATLAB/SIMULINK and PYTHON for evaluation, implement and optimize in C/C++ for embedded product development
- Evaluate algorithms through data mining and statistical analysis of large data sets for FDA 510k submission
- Contribute to company IP and participate in patent preparation
- Attend field related scientific conferences and seminars
- Supervise and mentor junior engineers
Research Assistant/PhD. Student
Bloorview Research Institute
09.2011 - 09.2016
- Thesis title: “A Ternary Brain-computer Interface based on Single-trial Readiness Potentials of Self-initiated”
- Researched and developed machine learning and signal processing algorithms for an innovative ternary brain-computer interface.
- Researched and improved an algorithm for letters recognition from visual lips reading using AdaBoost classifier for robust mouth detection, mouth landmarks optical flow as features, Neural Networks (NN) and Hidden Markov Models (HMM) for classification.
Systems Software Specialist
CAE Healthcare
02.2011 - 08.2011
- Developed a surgical simulator for Windows 7.0 in .NET using C++/C# and WPF
- Designed and implemented in C++ an algorithm for hardware surgical instruments/sensors control and synchronization with Medical Imaging simulator
- Integrated older simulators C++ ActiveX controls into C# managed code using Windows Forms ActiveX Control Importer
- Developed code to automate database migration from Access to Microsoft SQL 2008
- Performed software testing and participated in software architecture and QA documentation
- Prepared and lead technical demos for visiting surgeons
- Mentored and supervised interns and junior engineers
Systems Integration Engineer
Ericsson Research Canada
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Designed architecture and developed systems-specific code (C and Perl) for implementation and integration of Broadband, and Mobile Packet Bone systems (3G)
- Performed network, node, and features testing and verification for QA using traffic generators (Agilent, Spirent) and test automation tools
- Wrote technical documents and knowledge objects
- Mentored junior engineers, give technical presentations on Telecom technologies
- Awarded Employee Recognition for 2010
Education
MBA -
Boston University Questrom School of Business
Boston, MA08-2027
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Biomedical Engineering
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario01.2016
Masters of Engineering - Biomedical Engineering
McGill University
Montreal, Quebec01.2008
Bachelor of Engineering - Computer Engineering
Concordia University
Montreal, Quebec01.2006
Skills
- Cloud computing expertise: AWS, Azure, GCP
- Proficient in Python, R, SQL, C, and Java
- Experienced with Tensorflow/Keras, SciPy, Scikit-learn, Hyperas/Hyperopt, MLFlow, Matplotlib, Bokeh, Numpy, weight & biases
- Proficient in development tools: Jupyter Lab, Databricks, SageMaker, VsCode, Git/GitHub, JIRA, Azure DevOps
Certification
- Generative AI with Large Language Models
- Neural Networks and Deep Learning
- Improving Deep Neural Networks: hyperparameter tuning, Regularization and Optimization
- Structuring Machine Learning Projects
- Convolutional Neural Networks
- Sequence Models
- Reinforcement learning
LANGUAGES
Fluent in English, and French (written and spoken)
Timeline
Principal Data Scientist
Novo Nordisk
01.2023 - Current
Associate Director Data Science
Sanofi Genzyme
07.2019 - 01.2023
Advanced Algorithm Engineer
Masimo Corporation
12.2013 - 07.2019
Research Assistant/PhD. Student
Bloorview Research Institute
09.2011 - 09.2016
Systems Software Specialist
CAE Healthcare
02.2011 - 08.2011
Systems Integration Engineer
Ericsson Research Canada
01.2009 - 01.2011
Masters of Engineering - Biomedical Engineering
McGill University
Bachelor of Engineering - Computer Engineering
Concordia University
MBA -
Boston University Questrom School of Business
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Biomedical Engineering
University of Toronto
Publications/Talks/Patents
- Elias Abou Zeid, “Wearables & AI: real-world patient insights for better drug development“, Dialogue between AI Influencers and Doctor Innovators, Webinar December 7th 2024
- Elias Abou Zeid. “Panel Discussion: What is the Translational Potential of Digital Biomarkers to Clinical Benefits and Outcomes?”, 3rd Annual Digital Biomarkers and Clinical Measures in Neurology Summit, Aug. 28th 2024
- Elias Abou Zeid, “Benefits and Challenges of Leveraging Wearables and Digital Biomarkers in Drug Development”, 15th Clinical Trials Strategy Summit, Boston, May 1st 2024
- Elias Abou Zeid (Speaker & Chair), “Wearables & AI: real-world patient data for better drug development”, Patient Data in a Digital Age”, March 7th 2024
- Elias Abou Zeid (Speaker & Chair), “Digital Biomarkers in Neurology“, 2nd Annual Digital Biomarkers and Clinical Measures in Neurology Summit”, July 12th 2023
- Elias Abou Zeid, “AI-driven Digital Biomarkers in Drug Development”, AI In Drug Discovery & Development ONLINE, April 4th 2023
- Elias Abou Zeid (panelist), AI Driven Personalized Care, Ai4 Healthcare, 2022
- Elias Abou Zeid et al., “Evaluating Drug Efficacy By Using Wearable Sensors”, US Patent: 20230068469
- Elias Abou Zeid et al., “Parkinson’s Tremor Classification Using Machine Learning”, WIPO: WO2024238174
- Elias Abou Zeid et al., “Sleep-wake Classification Using Machine Learning”, WIPO: WO202425398
- Elias Abou Zeid et al. “Exploring the utility of ActiGraph in measuring gait impairment and physical activity in patients with MS using digital biomarkers”, 75th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, Boston, April 22-27, 2023
- Elias Abou Zeid et al. “A Ternary Brain-Computer Interface Based on Single-Trial Readiness Potentials of Self-initiated Fine Movements: A Diversified Classification Scheme”, Frontiers in Human Neurosc. 2017
- Elias Abou Zeid et al. “A pipeline of spatio-temporal filtering for predicting the laterality of self-initiated fine movements from single trial readiness potentials”, Journal of Neural Engineering 13(6), 2016
- Elias Abou Zeid and Tom Chau, “Electrode fusion for the prediction of self-initiated fine movements from single-trial readiness potentials”, International Journal of Neural Systems 25, 2015
Awards
2021 Sanofi R&D Global Award for Most Innovative Patient Centric Design, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Post-Graduate Fellowship, 2011-2013, McGill University Recruitment Excellence Fellowship, 2006-2007, ECE Dean’s List 2002-2006
Hobbies and Interests
Attending “Improvisation and Acting for Life” classes at the Cambridge center for adult education, Hiking, biking, table tennis, traveling
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