Meet the Team

Meet the people responsible for supporting and partnering with researchers to advance scientific discovery

Scientific Computing and Data was established at the Icahn School of Medicine in 2011. We partner with researchers across institutions around the globe to advance scientific discovery.

Scientific Computing and Data

Patricia Kovatch | Dean

Patricia Kovatch is the Dean for Scientific Computing and Data at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), founding the division in October 2011. In her work at ISMMS and in her national and international collaborations, she emphasizes a collaborative approach, partnering computational and data experts with basic and translational scientists to tackle complex scientific questions to better diagnose and treat disease.

Computational and Data Ecosystem

Lili Gai, PhD | High Performance Computing Director

Lili Gai is the Director of High Performance Computing, overseeing Minerva Supercomputer processes and operations. Lili earned a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University.

Eugene Fluder, PhD | Computational Scientist

Eugene Fluder is a Computational Scientist supporting Minerva Supercomputer processes and operations. Gene received his PhD in Theoretical Chemistry from Villanova University and worked for 33 years in the pharmaceutical industry at Merck & Co., Inc.

Jielin Yu, PhD | Computational Scientist

Jielin Yu is a Computational Scientist supporting Minerva Supercomputer processes and operations. He earned a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University.

Hyung Min Cho, PhD | Computational Scientist

Hyung Min Cho is a Computational Scientist supporting Minerva Supercomputer processes and operations. He earned a PhD in Theoretical Chemistry from Ohio State University and worked at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) as a postdoctoral researcher developing high-performance parallel applications.

Wei Guo, PhD | HPC Architect

Wei Guo is an HPC Architect supporting Minerva Supercomputer processes and operations. Wei has a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering.

Informatics and Data Architecture

Sharon Nirenberg, MD | Physician Informaticist

Sharon Nirenberg is a physician informaticst coordinating the optimization and translation of data elements in the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model (CDM). Sharon holds an MD and MS.

AJ Caberto | Database Analyst II

AJ Caberto is a Database Analyst responsible for data extraction and analysis for clinical research studies. She holds a degree in Statistics and has over 6 years of experience working in clinical analytics, of which 3 years were spent in quality improvement, clinical and translational research.

Timothy Quinn, PhD | Principal Data Architect

Tim Quinn is a principal data architect responsible for the strategy, design, and engineering of the infrastructure for delivering data to ISMMS researchers.  He has over 12 years of experience in data warehousing, data architecture, and analytics in the healthcare industry.  Tim is a graduate of Stanford University and earned his PhD from MIT.

Information Technology

Farhan Mahmood | IT Director

Farhan Mahmood is the team’s IT Director responsible for coordinating MSDW and support teams. Farhan has over 25 years of experience in Business Intelligence and the Data Warehousing domain and has a degree in Computer Science. He currently oversees the operations for MSDW Data Warehouse, which includes the loading of data, assisting in new MSDW enhancements and improvements, and handling data requests from Physicians and Researchers. Farhan is also responsible for maintaining the hardware of both physical and virtual servers and upgrading current software that the team uses.

Jacob Weiser | Data Warehouse ETL Developer

Jacob Weiser is the data warehouse Extract, Transform, and Load developer for the IT team.

Rupan Hossain | Database Administrator

Rupan Hossain is a database administrator for the IT team.

Darius Vinci Boopal | Data Warehouse Data Engineer

Darius Vinci Boopal is a Data Engineer with extensive experience in full life cycle of Software development and Database programming.

Manoj Chekuri | ETL Developer

Suryamanoj Chekuri is a Data Engineer with expertise in ETL and data warehousing concepts, and involvement in Python coding. Previously, he worked with ETL tools Informatica, Ablnitio and Datastage with experience in shell scripting and C coding languages. Manoj’s interests include coding, photography, and traveling.

Priyal Mehta | Data Analyst

Priyal Mehta is an IT Data Analyst and is responsible for clinical data extraction from Epic Caboodle, Epic Clarity databases, and OMOP Common Data Model.

Programming and Semantic Technology

James Masters, PhD | Director HHEAR and Semantic Technology

James “Chip” Masters is a computer scientist with over 20 years of experience in building ontologies and applying them in data management applications utilizing semantic technologies. His expertise is in data integration, knowledge representation and reasoning, and building and using semantic knowledge graphs. He is responsible for the development and application of the Human Health Exposure Analysis Resource (HHEAR) ontology, knowledge graph, and data repository. He also manages a team of computer scientists that are responsible for delivering cohort query tools, electronic data capture systems, and other research data services supporting clinicians and medical scientists within the School and hospital system. Dr. Masters has a PhD in Applied Mathematics.

Arthur Goldberg, PhD | Data Discovery Developer

Arthur Goldberg is a Data Developer and an associate professor in Genetics and Genomic Sciences.

Alona Rabin | .NET Lead Developer

Alona Rabin is the .NET lead developer responsible for implementing scalable applications and latest technologies in research database design.

Donald Louie | Programmer Analyst

Donald Louie is a programmer analyst supporting the Electronic Research Application Portal Rapid Database Generator (eRAP RDG) database building, programming, and debugging.

Sheersha Kandwal | Semantic Front End HHEAR

Sheersha Kandwal is a Semantic Java Developer for High Performance Computing, supporting the Human Health Exposure Analysis Resource (HHEAR). She has a Master’s in Software Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

User Support

Ranjini Kottaiyan | Senior Director of Finance and Research Engagement

Ranjini Kottaiyan is the Finance Director and is in charge of coordinating Research Engagement. Ranjini holds an MBA and an OD, and she has extensive experience in grants administration and healthcare operations.

Priscilla Acquaye | Data Analyst

Priscilla Acquaye facilitates user support through attention to detail and improved processes. She previously worked for NYU Hospital.

Jing Yang, PhD | Applications Analyst

Jing Yang is an Applications Analyst responsible for facilitating the communication between faculty, staff, researchers, clinicians, and the Scientific Computing and Data team. Jing earned a Ph.D. in Computational Chemistry from Indiana University.

Catherine McCaffrey | Project Manager and Compliance

Catherine McCaffrey is the department project manager working alongside all teams. She is also responsible for all compliance for systems and programs.

Nicole Woolford | Project Manager

Nicole Woolford is a project manager responsible for reporting, equipment, and logistics within the team.

Vidhya Venkatesan | Data Analyst

Vidhya Venkatesan is a Data Analyst supporting Mount Sinai Data Warehouse. She graduated from Rutgers with a Master’s degree in Computer Science. Before joining Mount Sinai, she worked at Bristol Myers Squibb and HSBC as a Data Analyst.

Open Positions in Scientific Computing and Data

Mount Sinai provides excellent opportunities to utilize and expand your skills in a rewarding career. Consider joining our team and collaborate with researchers to advance scientific discovery. See Mount Sinai Careers for current job openings.

To see Scientific Computing and Data positions, click here!

The Mount Sinai Health System is an equal opportunity employer. We promote recognition and respect for individual and cultural differences, and we work to make our employees feel valued and appreciated, whatever their race, gender, background, or sexual orientation. 

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