PHUSE proudly hosted the US Connect 2025, from 16–19 March, in the vibrant city of Orlando, Florida. The PHUSE Connects are ground-breaking events that redefine industry engagement and collaboration.
Bringing together 770 attendees from 190 companies across 21 countries, this year’s Connect was more than a conference. Data scientists, clinical programmers, statisticians and pharmaceutical professionals united to explore cutting-edge advancements, share expertise and shape the future of life sciences.
Attendees delved into the latest innovations in clinical data science in Hands-on Workshops, Panel Discussions, leadership sessions and presentations. Beyond the sessions, our Social Events provided unparalleled networking opportunities, strengthening professional relationships and sparking collaborations that will drive the industry forward.
Hear from Our US Connect 2025 Chair, Karnika Dalal
“The US Connect 2025 is particularly special because it is PHUSE’s largest attended conference ever, with 770 attendees! WOW… That number speaks LOUD and CLEAR, the power of this community – how we come together to collaborate, share knowledge, and drive real change in our industry.
I want to take a moment to talk about something truly important and something that kept me positive over the last few years – HOPE. Last month, I attended an event where I had the privilege of hearing from a patient living with a severe condition. He had just turned 13 when he was diagnosed with this life-threatening condition. He shared his daily struggles, his resilience, and – most importantly – the hope he places in our industry. At the end of his talk, he left us with a powerful message: "Even when times get tough, don’t stop what you are doing, because you give us hope."
That moment truly touched my heart. It was a reminder of why we do what we do – the data we analyse, the innovations we develop, and the collaborations we foster all come down to one thing: making a real difference in people’s lives. And that’s when PHUSE immediately came to my mind. Why? Because for me PHUSE embodies hope. It is a Community that brings us together, encourages knowledge-sharing, and drives progress in our industry. It is a space where we don’t just discuss advancements – we create them.”
–Karnika Dalal, US Connect 2025 Chair
Award Winners
PHUSE is proud to celebrate the outstanding contributions of our Community through the PHUSE Recognition framework. This year’s winners demonstrated excellence across the Streams.
Best in Connect – DS12: Lingsong Yun, Bayer
Best Connect Newcomer – ML09: Xiaopeng Li, Merck
Best in Stream Winners
Analytics & Statistics (AS) – AS01: Ashley Mao, Roche
Analytical Risk-based Monitoring (AR) – AR03: Anna Górecka & Marcin Kot, GSK
Data Handling & Engineering (DH) – DH05: Vamsi Kandimalla & Murali Kanakenahalli, Kite Pharma
Data Standards, Governance & Implementation (DS) – DS08: Yaling Teng, AbbVie
Emerging Trends (ET) – ET01: Jaime Yan & Tingting Tian, Merck
Machine Learning, AI & Large Language Models (ML) – ML13: Kostiantyn Drach & Iryna Kotenko, Intego Clinical
Open Source Technologies (OS) – OS13: Nina Qi & Dony Unardi, Genentech
Poster Presentations (PP) – PP05: Jasperlynn Kao, Cytel
Professional Development (PD) – PD12: Dorothy Dlamini & Srinivas Veeragoni, Bayer
Real-world Evidence (RE) – RE05: Nayan Chaudhary & Navdeep Pal, Genentech
Scripts, Macros & Automation (SM) – SM14: Yingying Wei, Genentech
Submissions & Agencies (SA) – SA05: Kiran Bonda, Syneos Health
In recognition of the winners’ contributions, PHUSE has made donations on their behalf to three charities: Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and World Land Trust.
Supporting meaningful causes remains a core part of our mission to drive positive change beyond the data science community.
Looking Ahead to the US Connect 2026
Get ready for another transformative conference! The US Connect 2026 will take place in Austin, Texas, 22–26 March, and promises even more deep-dive sessions and opportunities for collaboration.
If you’re interested in presenting, now is the time to start preparing! Call for Papers will open in July, offering an exciting opportunity to showcase your work and contribute to the ongoing conversation within the PHUSE Community.
Hear from Our US Connect 2026 Chair, Kirsty Lauderdale
“I’m honoured to serve as Chair for next year’s conference and build on the incredible content and collaboration we experienced this year.
In 2026, we’ll focus on driving innovation, transparent knowledge sharing, strengthening our collaboration, and, of course, ensuring that we have some fun along the way! I look forward to continuing working with the PHUSE Community to create an engaging and impactful experience that continues to push boundaries and bring our community together. Looking forward to an exciting year ahead!"
– Kirsty Lauderdale, US Connect 2026 Chair