An internationally recognized leader in the fields of biomedical informatics, artificial intelligence, and data science.

Speaker Biography

Philip R.O. Payne, PhD, FACMI, FAMIA, FAIMBE, FIAHSI
Director, Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB)
Janet and Bernard Becker Professor
Associate Dean for Health Information and Data Science, WashU Medicine
Chief Data Scientist, WashU Medicine

Dr. Philip Payne is an internationally recognized leader in the field of biomedical informatics, artificial intelligence, and data science, holding the position of Janet and Bernard Becker Professor and founding Director of the Institute for Informatics, Data Science, and Biostatistics (I2DB) at Washington University in St. Louis, where he also serves as the Chief Data Scientist for WashU Medicine. With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Payne has made transformative contributions to the integration and delivery of informatics and data-driven solutions in healthcare. His work has been pivotal in advancing precision medicine, translational bioinformatics, and clinical research informatics, with the overarching goal of improving patient outcomes through the intelligent use of biomedical data.

Dr. Payne’s research portfolio is diverse and interdisciplinary, encompassing projects funded by leading institutions such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and various industry partners. His work focuses on leveraging complex datasets to solve critical problems in healthcare, from genomics to population health management. He is particularly known for his innovative approaches to translating biomedical research into clinical practice, ensuring that breakthroughs in the lab can quickly and effectively benefit patients at the bedside. This work has positioned him as a central figure in the application of data science to real-world healthcare challenges.

In addition to his research, Dr. Payne is deeply committed to education and mentorship. As an educator, he has been instrumental in developing new curricula and training programs in biomedical informatics aimed at equipping the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals with the skills needed to navigate the evolving data landscape. His passion for mentoring has shaped many of his students into leaders in the fields of informatics, data science, and healthcare technology. Dr. Payne’s educational initiatives reflect his belief in the power of interdisciplinary learning and his dedication to fostering an inclusive and collaborative academic environment.

Dr. Payne’s influence extends beyond academia, as he is a prominent advocate for public-private partnerships and the integration of informatics into healthcare policy. He has played a key role in building collaborations between universities, healthcare organizations, and industry leaders aimed at accelerating the translation of data-driven innovations into practice. His efforts have garnered numerous awards and recognition, highlighting his status as a thought leader at the intersection of data science, informatics, and healthcare. Through his visionary leadership and groundbreaking work, Dr. Payne continues to shape the future of biomedical informatics and its impact on global health.

Recordings and Media

Speaking Topics 
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Digital transformation
  • Computational phenotyping
  • Clinical decision support
  • Synthetic data
  • Integrating biomedical informatics and data science competencies to prepare the healthcare research and delivery workforce

Highlighted Publications and Research

View publications and research interests on Research Profiles »

  • Lyons PG, Dorr DA, Melton GB, Singh K, Payne PR. Meeting the Artificial Intelligence Needs of US Health Systems. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2024 Aug 27.
  • Baldridge D, Kaster L, Sancimino C, Srivastava S, Molholm S, Gupta A, Oh I, Lanzotti V, Grewal D, Riggs ER, Savatt JM, & Payne PR. The Brain Gene Registry: a data snapshot. Journal of neurodevelopmental disorders. 2024 Apr 17;16(1):17.
  • Morris SM, Gupta A, Kim S, Foraker RE, Gutmann DH, Payne PR. Predictive modeling for clinical features associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. Neurology: Clinical Practice. 2021 Dec;11(6):e497-505.
  • Foraker RE, Yu SC, Gupta A, Michelson AP, Pineda Soto JA, Colvin R, Loh F, Kollef MH, Maddox T, Evanoff B, Dror H, & Payne PR. Spot the difference: comparing results of analyses from real patient data and synthetic derivatives. JAMIA open. 2020 Dec 1;3(4):557-66.
  • Maddox TM, Rumsfeld JS, Payne PR. Questions for artificial intelligence in health care. Jama. 2019 Jan 1;321(1):31-2.
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