Denise Johnson
Vice President of Health Research and Analytics, Battelle
Denise Johnson spearheads a team committed to advancing scientific endeavors that improve health outcomes, support quality patient care and drive groundbreaking innovations in health and biomedical research. Her team is at the forefront of using AI and machine learning to craft innovative solutions for both government and commercial clients.
“Computational approaches are essential for the future of biomedical and health sciences, offering tools that enhance our understanding of complex biological systems, improve healthcare delivery, and ultimately lead to better health outcomes,” she said. “These technologies not only promise to increase the efficiency of research practices but also hold the potential to revolutionize personalized medicine and public health strategies. I’m proud to lead a team at the forefront of these advances.”
Johnson’s team is dedicated to advancing the safety and ethics of AI applications in health, reflecting Battelle’s 95-year legacy of safely applying science and technology for societal impact. The team has focused on integrating cutting-edge AI assurance methods into health applications, with a focus on agentic AI and multiagent systems. In addition to supporting research, AI assurance techniques form the foundation for evaluating evidence to inform decision-making by policymakers and program implementers.
Greg Kimmel, general manager of the health business unit at Battelle, said:
“Denise is an exceptional leader. Her vision and dedication to integrating AI into health research are transforming the landscape of biomedical sciences. Her ability to inspire and guide her team towards innovative solutions is truly remarkable, and her work is setting new standards in the industry.”
Why Watch
Looking ahead to 2025, Johnson’s team is leveraging AI/ML to propel advancements in therapeutic solutions, public health, and medical device development. They are pioneering the use of AI and machine learning to enhance the delivery of gene therapy directly to specific organs, promising highly personalized medicine and potentially revolutionizing treatment protocols by nearly eliminating drug delivery side effects.
In medical device development, the team evolved from human-in-the-loop systems to AI-assisted loops and is now advancing toward fully autonomous, closed-loop AI systems. In public health, they developed state-of-the-art computational toxicology models to assess human health risks.