ASA member Nawar Shara was recently appointed chief of research data science for the MedStar Health Research Institute. Shara is a seasoned investigator, leveraging technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning in health care research.

As chief of research data science, Shara will provide the strategic vision for growing the health system’s AI research programs, continue to build a sustainable sponsored research portfolio, identify emerging trends in data science research and technology, and foster a culture of innovation that supports new data science ideas and applications. She will also continue to serve as co-director of the research institute’s Center for Biostatistics, Informatics, and Data Science.

“Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of leading the biostatistical and analytics team, as well as developing and leading the conduct of research that harnesses the power of technology. My constant pursuit has been to embrace cutting-edge tools and explore innovative ways to effectively utilize electronic health records and health data to enhance the well-being of patients,” said Shara. “As the field of analytics continues to evolve, we see new developments emerge every few years. Artificial intelligence represents the latest breakthrough, poised not just to serve as a tool in health care but to fundamentally transform how we deliver patient care. It is imperative that MedStar Health continue to lead in this transformative technology.”

Shara was also part of the multi-institutional consortium of research institutions team that secured the National Institutes of Health Clinical and Translational Science Award. This award established the Georgetown–Howard University Clinical and Translational Science Center, where Shara serves as the director of the Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design Core and co-director of the Biomedical Informatics Core.

Outside her professional roles, Shara is a mother to four and lives with her family in northern Virginia. She earned her undergraduate degree in economics from Damascus University and her master’s and PhD degrees in applied statistics from American University.