Celebrating Women in STEM, Health, and Technology at the Second Women in Data Science Barcelona Biomedicine Conference
WiDS Barcelona Biomedicine promotes gender diversity by making visible the work of leading women scientists in the field of biology, biomedicine and digital health
23.10.2023
The Women in Data Science (WiDS) Barcelona Biomedicine Conference returned for its second edition, bringing together leading experts, researchers, and enthusiasts from the fields of data science, healthcare, and technology. This prestigious event took place on the 11th of October in the Auditorium of the PRBB - Barcelona Biomedical Research Park. Organised by Paula Petrone, Paula Sol Ventura, Nataly Buslon, Karen Gonçalves and Maia Nahmod, the event featured a diverse and inspiring line-up of speakers and sessions.
The Women in Data Science Initiative was born in Stanford University in 2015, helping women connect and form communities that promote inclusive data science. “The WiDS Barcelona Biomedicine Conference 2023 proved to be an inspiring and informative event that celebrated the achievements of women in STEM, health, and technology” says Paula Petrone, Associate Research Professor at ISGlobal and WiDS Ambassador.
The conference began with an inspiring opening session delivered by Denise Naniche, Scientific Director of ISGlobal, “We are celebrating remarkable data scientists, giving them visibility, and supporting their growth while committing to eliminating two disparities: women's underrepresentation in STEM professions and gaps in data related to women's health issues” said Denise Naniche.
Advocating for gender-sensitive medicine
Carme Valls, Director of the Woman, Health, Quality of Life Programme at the Centre for Analysis and Health Programs (CAPS), advocated for a gender-sensitive approach to medicine. Valls highlighted the frequent dismissal of women's medical symptoms and the importance of a healthcare system that acknowledges and addresses women's specific health issues, including breast cancer, heart problems, mental health, and menopause.
Revolutionizing healthcare through machine learning and AI
In the "Image Analysis for Diagnostic Applications" session, experts in the field explored cutting-edge advancements, such as the revolutionary potential of machine learning and computer vision in medical imaging, the democratization of diagnosis support with deep learning and automated white blood cell counting in ultrasound imaging, or data strategies for personalizing Parkinson's disease therapy.
The "Digital Health and AI in the Clinic" session covered the use of speech as a digital health detection tool for mental health conditions, and insights into fostering AI research and innovation in hospital settings. Additionally, it discussed the future of healthcare with Sirfinder 4.0 software and RNA analysis, highlighting the opportunities and challenges of AI-based drug discovery.
Advancements in Environmental Health
In the "Technologies Applied to Environmental Health" session, advancements in molecular study through RMN metabolomics were presented, revealing links between air pollution, lipoprotein profiles, and cardiovascular risk. The path from environmental exposure to causality using data in environmental epidemiology was also explored.
The "Epidemiology and Data Science" session shed light on the multiomic signatures of early-life exposome. and unveiled insights into exploring multimorbidity patterns to enhance healthcare quality. A comprehensive view of data tools and models for managing climate-sensitive infectious disease risk was also provided.
Setting the Stage for Progress
The event culminated in a session on "Gender and Diversity in Science and Business" underscoring the pivotal role of gender and diversity in science and business, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and equal opportunities.
The conference concluded with the announcement of the Best Poster Award for Andrea Cabero-Arnold and her colleagues from Clínic Barcelona hospital. The second prize was awarded to Hassan Sial from ISGlobal and his colleagues from the company Kriba.
In the closing session, WiDS co-organizers Paula Sol Ventura and Karen Gonçalves expressed their appreciation for the conference's resounding success. The event helped foster this emerging data science community by bringing together more than 140 participants in person, and the online streaming channel received over 400 views. The organizers look forward to the next edition of WIDS Barcelona Biomedicine in 2024.
