Pharmaceuticals
10 real-world evidence program experts
These ten professionals have held real-world evidence leadership roles inside pharmaceutical companies, with titles such as head and director of real-world evidence. A reader can learn how in-house real-world evidence teams are organized and how their work gets planned and delivered.
Professionals to explore
01—10Gráinne Long
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Real World Evidence, Oncology R&D · AstraZeneca
Senior Director, Real World Evidence, Oncology R&D at AstraZeneca since 2024, and former Director Global Real World Evidence (RWE) Strategy at AstraZeneca (2020–2024). The profile describes providing pharmaco-epidemiological support for oncology drugs targeting the DNA Damage Response (DDR) pathway at AstraZeneca. Former Epidemiologist Real World Data Scientist at Roche (2014–2017).
Guo Li
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Real World Evidence, Global Commercial Data Science · Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
Senior Director, Real World Evidence, Global Commercial Data Science at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine since 2023, where the profile says this person leads global RWE strategy at JNJ, advancing Immunology & Neuroscience. Former Director, Real World Evidence (RWE) Analytics at Novartis (2018–2021) and Associate Director, Global HEOR Head of Real World Evidence CoE at Allergan (2014–2018).
John E. Ripollone
LinkedInExperience: Director, Real World Evidence, Biometrics and Real World Evidence · Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Director, Real World Evidence, Biometrics and Real World Evidence at Vertex Pharmaceuticals since 2024. Other Vertex Pharmaceuticals roles listed are Associate Director, Biometrics and Real World Evidence (2021–2024), Real World Evidence Senior Manager (RWE CoE) (2020–2021) and Manager, Real World Evidence Center of Excellence (2019–2020).
Leah C. Burns
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Real World Evidence Strategy · Bristol Myers Squibb
Senior Director, Real World Evidence Strategy at Bristol Myers Squibb since 2018. Former Director, Center for Observational Research and Data Sciences (CORDS) at Bristol Myers Squibb (2013–2018) and Director, Global Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Neuroscience there (2011–2013).
Liz Zhou
LinkedInExperience: Group Director RWE, Digital RWE · Sanofi
Group Director RWE, Digital RWE at Sanofi since 2021. Former Group Director Real World Evidence, Global Medical Evidence Generation (2019–2021) and Director, Real World Study Lead Metabolism, Global Medical Evidence Generation (2015–2019) at Sanofi. Other Sanofi roles listed include Director, Medical Innovation, US Medical Affairs (2013–2015).
Megan S. Rice
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director, Real World Evidence · Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Senior Director, Real World Evidence at Vertex Pharmaceuticals since 2023, and listed as Director, Real World Evidence there from 2022 to 2023. Former Director, Real World Evidence at Sanofi (2019–2022) and Associate Director, Biostatistics at Sanofi (2018–2019).
Seema Meloni
LinkedInExperience: Global Head, Epidemiology, RWE & Evidence Strategy · Ipsen
Global Head, Epidemiology, RWE & Evidence Strategy at Ipsen since 2025, and former Senior Director, Head of Epidemiology & Real-World Evidence there (2021–2025). The profile says the current role includes expanding Epi/RWE team capabilities to incorporate activities around R&D and medical affairs data governance. Former Director, Real-World Evidence at bluebird bio (2020–2021).
Tara MacCannell
LinkedInExperience: Global Head and Executive Director, Real-World Evidence · Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Global Head and Executive Director, Real-World Evidence at Vertex Pharmaceuticals since 2022. Former Head of Real World Evidence, Global Value & Access, Center of Excellence at Gilead Sciences (2021–2022). Other Gilead Sciences roles listed include Sr Director, Medical Affairs, Global Patient Solutions (2018–2021) and Director Sr Director, Epidemiology, Clinical Data Sciences (2013–2018).
Tim Sampson
LinkedInExperience: Director, Head Real World Evidence Data Analytics · UCB
Former Director, Head Real World Evidence Data Analytics at UCB (2017–2020). Head Real World Data and Analytics at UCB since 2024, and former Director, Lead Real World Data Analytics there (2021–2023). The profile says this person is currently leading a team of thirteen analysts that are supporting RWE studies across UCB.
Yajing Zhu
LinkedInExperience: Director, Computational RWE · Novo Nordisk
Director, Computational RWE at Novo Nordisk since 2025, a role in which the profile says this person leads a global team pioneering drug discovery through advanced analytics, AI/ML and multimodal real-world data, including large-scale EMR, EHR, claims and registries. Former Head of Department - Real World Evidence - Obesity & Liver at Novo Nordisk (2024–2025).
Choose the right perspective
Decide whether your question is mainly about evidence strategy or about real-world data analytics and study execution, and pick someone whose titles match that focus. Also weigh the therapeutic area and the stage of your product, and favor someone whose roles sat close to the decision you face.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide which questions a real-world evidence study should answer, and who in the company gets to set those priorities?
- 02When do you build real-world data analytics in-house, and when do you license data or work with outside partners?
- 03How do you make sure real-world evidence holds up with regulators, payers and internal decision makers?
Reaching real-world evidence program experts
How can I contact one of these real-world evidence program experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 8 companies, including AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach real-world evidence program experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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