Harnessing AI and Advanced Analytics for Donor Selection

ABOUT THE WEBINAR

Join us for a dynamic 60-minute webinar exploring how artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and machine learning (ML) are transforming donor selection and starting material characterization for cell and gene therapy (CGT) manufacturing. Featuring experts in the industry, this session will dive into cutting-edge algorithms developed for predicting donor availability, donor selection for allogeneic HSCT and CGT and optimizing cell therapy collections. Learn how ML is being applied to optimize stem cell transplantation, personalize cell collection procedures, and characterize donor cell profiles for successful CGT manufacturing. Plus, speakers will share real-world case studies, pilot data, and insights from clinical and lab settings. Whether you’re in CGT, research & development, manufacturing or clinical operations, this webinar offers a roadmap for integrating AI/ML into your workflows and tackling donor-related complexities with data-driven precision.

Register and Access the Webinar

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Examine how ML/AI models are developed to support donor selection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and cellular therapies for different types of donors and starting materials.
  • Determine how data analytics can personalize and optimize cell collection procedures to improve starting material quality.
  • Understand how donor material variability influences the success and consistency of cell therapy manufacturing and clinical outcomes.
  • Recognize the role of data analytics and artificial intelligence in improving donor selection and standardizing starting materials for cell therapy product manufacturing.
  • Explain how AI can analyze large, complex data sets to identify optimal donors for enhanced safety, potency, and consistency in final therapeutic products.
  • Highlight opportunities for collaboration, data sharing and algorithm refinement across industry stakeholders. 
 WEBINAR CHAIR

Briana Shoen, PhD
ISCT PDM Committee Member
ISCT ERMT and PAAD Working Group Member
VP Biotherapies, Scientific Development
Vitalant
United States

Brianna N. Schoen, Ph.D. is a seasoned scientific leader in cell and gene therapy, currently serving as Vice President of Scientific Development at Vitalant Biotherapies, where she leads scientific strategy, process and analytical development, and innovative initiatives to advance cell therapy. She has extensive experience building and leading R&D teams, launching new products, and contributing to strategic partnerships.

Dr. Schoen is an active contributor to International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT), participating in the Process Development and Manufacturing Committee, Emerging Regenerative Medicine Working Group, and Process Automation, Analytics and Development Working Group. She is a co-author of the recent Cytotherapy publication “Bioprocessing Considerations for Generation of iPSC Intended for Clinical Application”, highlighting best practices in iPSC manufacturing for clinical use.

She is a recognized thought leader in cell therapy process and analytical development and has served as a moderator and presenter at industry conferences including Advanced Therapies Week, Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), Antigen Specific Immune Tolerance Summit and the Charles River Cell and Gene Therapy Summit. Her expertise bridges early research innovation through manufacturing strategy and product launch, with a strong focus on enabling scalable and robust cell therapy development.

 WEBINAR SPEAKERS

Abeer Madbouly, PhD
Principal and Founder
MHC Therapeutics Bio Consulting
United States

Abeer Madbouly, PhD is the Principal and Founder of MHC Therapeutics Bioconsulting (MTB), where she provides strategic expertise in immunogenetics, HLA and KIR data analysis, HLA imputation, population genetics and analytics for hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, solid organ transplantation and emerging cell and gene therapies. Through MTB, she partners with biopharma, registry, and clinical organizations to deliver consulting services in bioinformatics, regulatory strategy, training, and coverage models, enabling faster and more equitable access to advanced therapies.

Previously, she spent 15 years in NMDP as a Principal Bioinformatics Scientist and Cell & Gene Therapies Lead in Minneapolis, USA. With nearly 20 years of experience in bioinformatics and over 70 co-authored publications, Dr. Madbouly has led the development of innovative donor/patient tissue-matching methods, validation pipelines, ancestry-informed analyses, and diversified population genetics models.

Her recent work spans multiple aspects of HCT and cell and gene therapy, including clinical outcomes, registry modeling, and translational informatics for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Dr. Madbouly serves as an Associate Editor for Human Immunology, Frontiers in Genetics, and Frontiers in Immunology, and as a reviewer and editor for multiple other journals. She also holds an adjunct faculty appointment in the Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Department at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Madbouly has also been in leadership positions in scientific societies, including ASHI, where she is currently Co-Chair of the Abstract Committee and the outgoing Chair of the Science and Technology Initiatives Committee, and has long been a member of the ASHI Program Planning Committee. She also serves on the NMDP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. She earned her PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering (with a focus in Bioinformatics) from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL.

Sara Lewandowski, MS
Data Services Manager
Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies
United States

Sara Lewandowski is Data Services Manager at Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies. She has been with Terumo BCT for over 17 years and is responsible for business development and execution of the data analytics program for cell collections on the Spectra Optia device. Sara has a degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado and began her career at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, and has also completed a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.

Rob Tressler, PhD, MS
Chief Scientific Officer
Excellos
United States

Rob Tressler has authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles and bood chapters and is an inventor on multiple patents. Previously he was the CSO at the San Diego Blood Bank and has held executive and leadership scientific roles as Geron, Cetus and other biotechnology companies. Rob’s research focus has been on cancer therapeutics, stem cell biology and aging research. Rob earned his PhD from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Science at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and his Master of Science degree in Microbiology from McNeese State University. He is a member of the American Association of Blood Banks, the International Society of Cell Therapy, American Society of Hematology, American Association of Cancer Research and International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy.