Advancing health systems that continuously learn and improve by discovering complex patterns in big data.
The Division of Informatics advances biomedical and healthcare research, public health, and patient care through the development of innovative methods, approaches, and technologies. Leveraging our expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, translational informatics, natural language processing, and the integration of diverse data types, we support Penn Medicine’s evolution as a learning health system.
Translational research is at the core of everything we do. Our research community is focused on bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and data-driven insights into real-world clinical applications that directly benefit patients, populations, and improve public health outcomes. Informatics plays a pivotal role by enabling the efficient collection, analysis, and interpretation of expansive and diverse data, which is essential for transforming scientific discoveries into practical medical applications.
Within our division, we understand that novel healthcare solutions don’t occur in isolation—they require collaboration. Bringing scientific breakthroughs from bench-to-bedside is a complex process that demands a multidisciplinary approach, uniting data scientists, clinicians, and healthcare professionals. Since people are the ultimate end-users of biomedical information, we also routinely draw upon the social and behavioral sciences. This collaborative synergy facilitates the progression of data-driven insights into groundbreaking treatments, diagnostics, and preventive measures, thereby reshaping the landscape of patient care and population health.
Deputy Director, Informatics
Professor of Informatics
Associate Director, Informatics
Executive Assistant to Dr. Marylyn Ritchie (Informatics)
Stay informed with the latest research findings, news, and events from our division.
Kevin B. Johnson, MD, MS was awarded the NIH Director’s Pioneer Award under the “High-Risk, High-Reward Research” program funded by the National Institutes of Health Common Fund. Established in 2004, the NIH […]
A new research initiative “The Center for AI-Driven Translational Informatics (CATI) ” supported by the Penn Institute for Biomedical Informatics (IBI), the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (DBEI), and […]
Dr. Kevin Johnson, MD, MS, FAAP, FAMIA, FACMI shares his experience trying to donate blood as a gay man and discusses how the Unites States has more restrictive rules than […]
In 1991, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine declared that computer-based patient records were an essential technology for health care. The new records would not only support patient […]
Assistant Professor of Informatics and Pharmacology
Joseph Romano, PhD, MPhil, MA, Assistant Professor of Informatics and Pharmacology, leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance our understanding of how diverse environmental exposures, such as toxic chemicals, social determinants of health, or pharmaceutical drugs, result in human disease. Dr. Romano also serves as a Senior Fellow in the Institute for Biomedical Informatics (IBI) and an investigator in the Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology (CEET). In this Q&A, Dr. Romano shares what sparked his interest in biomedical informatics, how AI can support advancements in environmental health science, and what he enjoys most about being a part of the DBEI community.
Read Q&AInformatics research at Penn Medicine drives healthcare advancements by leveraging AI, machine learning, and natural language processing. We integrate diverse data sources to enhance life sciences research and patient care, applying novel methods to study diseases and optimize clinical workflows. Our research also incorporates the social and behavioral sciences to refine technical solutions and systems.
Join a community of experts and mission-driven professionals committed to shaping the future of biomedical and population health data research through collaboration and scientific excellence. Explore available faculty and staff positions in the Division of Informatics and the department.