AI on the Hill

Hill Research
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AI on the Hill is a podcast exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clinical research. Designed to inform and inspire, the show brings together thought leaders, innovators, and regulatory voices to discuss frontier developments in AI-driven drug discovery, clinical trials, and health tech innovations. Co-produced by Hill Research and the Tech Impact Foundation. Hill Research drives the advancement of AI in clinical trials, developing Generative AI solutions that optimize trial design, streamline operations, and improve regulatory outcomes, enabling faster delivery of life-changing therapies. Tech Impact Foundation advances the application of AI, biotechnology, and educational technology to improve human lives, promote knowledge sharing, and foster social equity through STEM education, public engagement, and investment in breakthrough research.

  1. EPISODE 1

    Crashing Excel to Curing Cancer — How AI and Open Science Are Rewiring Drug Discovery

    Welcome to AI on the Hill, the podcast where we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and biotechnology, featuring thought leaders and innovators who are shaping the future of drug development and health tech. In this series, host René Bastón, Venture Partner at Covenant Venture Capital, and expert guests like Tommy Tang, Director of Bioinformatics at AstraZeneca, discuss cutting-edge topics in bioinformatics, AI in healthcare, and personalized medicine. Tommy Tang shares his inspiring journey from a nervous first-time immigrant landing in the U.S. with only $2,000 to becoming a bioinformatics leader. In this show, we dive into Tommy's transition from traditional wet-lab research to computational biology, and how he taught himself data science skills in R, Python, and Unix to drive his career. Tommy, also an advocate for open science, discusses the importance of sharing knowledge to advance scientific progress and make complex research more accessible. Join us as we explore how AI and bioinformatics are transforming cancer drug discovery, and learn about the practical impact of computational biology in shortening drug development timelines. Tommy’s insights into time management, leadership, and open science are a must-listen for anyone interested in the rapidly evolving world of biotech. You can connect with our host, René Bastón, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renebaston/ And our guest, Tommy Tang, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/🎯-ming-tommy-tang-40650014/ For more information on any of the topics discussed, visit the Hill Research Podcast at https://www.hillresearch.ai/podcast.

    1 hr

  2. EPISODE 2

    Crashing Excel Pt. 1: How One Plane Ticket Changed Everything: Tommy Tang’s American Beginning

    This is an excerpt from Crashing Excel to Curing Cancer — How AI and Open Science Are Rewiring Drug Discovery(Part 1/6). In this episode, host René Bastón, Venture Partner at Covenant Venture Capital, sits down with Tommy Tang, Director of Bioinformatics at AstraZeneca. Tommy talks about the culture shock he experienced as an international student, his shift from wet-lab research to computational biology, and how he self-taught programming in Unix, Python, and R. He also highlights how AI and bioinformatics are revolutionizing cancer drug discovery and stresses the importance of open science in accelerating research. Tune in for valuable insights on: Overcoming challenges in data science Embracing AI in healthcare Leveraging technology to revolutionize healthcare You can connect with our host, René Bastón, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renebaston/ And our guest, Tommy Tang, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/🎯-ming-tommy-tang-40650014/ For more information on any of the topics discussed, visit the Hill Research Podcast at https://www.hillresearch.ai/podcast.

    7 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Crashing Excel Pt. 2: The Aha Moment: From Wet Lab to Data Science — Teaching Yourself to Code

    This is an excerpt from Crashing Excel to Curing Cancer — How AI and Open Science Are Rewiring Drug Discovery(Part 2/6). In this episode, host René Bastón, Venture Partner at Covenant Venture Capital, sits down with Tommy Tang, Director of Bioinformatics at AstraZeneca. Tommy’s career took a pivotal turn when a massive dataset overwhelmed his Excel, sparking his self-driven journey into data science. Lacking external support, he taught himself Python, R, and bioinformatics, balancing the demands of lab work with online courses. This episode explores Tommy’s transition from wet-lab research to computational biology, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of mastering data science to fuel innovation in healthcare. Tune in for valuable insights on: Overcoming challenges in data science Embracing AI in healthcare Leveraging technology to revolutionize healthcare You can connect with our host, René Bastón, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renebaston/ And our guest, Tommy Tang, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/🎯-ming-tommy-tang-40650014/ For more information on any of the topics discussed, visit the Hill Research Podcast at https://www.hillresearch.ai/podcast.

    11 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Crashing Excel Pt. 3: From Researcher to Influencer: Crafting a Personal Brand Through Science Blogging

    This is an excerpt from Crashing Excel to Curing Cancer — How AI and Open Science Are Rewiring Drug Discovery(Part 3/6). In this episode, host René Bastón, Venture Partner at Covenant Venture Capital, sits down with Tommy Tang, Director of Bioinformatics at AstraZeneca. Tommy’s career took a pivotal turn when a massive dataset overwhelmed his Excel, sparking his self-driven journey into data science. Lacking external support, he taught himself Python, R, and bioinformatics, balancing the demands of lab work with online courses. This episode explores Tommy’s transition from wet-lab research to computational biology, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of mastering data science to fuel innovation in healthcare. Tune in for valuable insights on: Overcoming challenges in data science Embracing AI in healthcare Leveraging technology to revolutionize healthcare You can connect with our host, René Bastón, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renebaston/ And our guest, Tommy Tang, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/🎯-ming-tommy-tang-40650014/ For more information on any of the topics discussed, visit the Hill Research Podcast at https://www.hillresearch.ai/podcast.

    8 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Crashing Excel Pt. 4: When AI Meets Cancer: How Data and Biology Are Transforming Drug Discovery

    This is an excerpt from Crashing Excel to Curing Cancer — How AI and Open Science Are Rewiring Drug Discovery(Part 4/6). In this episode, host René Bastón, Venture Partner at Covenant Venture Capital, sits down with Tommy Tang, Director of Bioinformatics at AstraZeneca. AI, bioinformatics, and computational biology are reshaping how cancer drugs are discovered and developed. Tommy explains how data-driven insights—from target identification to clinical trial analysis—are accelerating timelines, improving precision, and unlocking personalized medicine. What once took a decade may soon take less, saving lives and transforming the future of healthcare. Tune in for valuable insights on: Overcoming challenges in data science Embracing AI in healthcare Leveraging technology to revolutionize healthcare You can connect with our host, René Bastón, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renebaston/ And our guest, Tommy Tang, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/🎯-ming-tommy-tang-40650014/ For more information on any of the topics discussed, visit the Hill Research Podcast at https://www.hillresearch.ai/podcast.

    10 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Crashing Excel Pt. 5: Beyond the Hype: What AI Really Needs to Transform Drug Discovery

    This is an excerpt from Crashing Excel to Curing Cancer — How AI and Open Science Are Rewiring Drug Discovery(Part 5/6). In this episode, host René Bastón, Venture Partner at Covenant Venture Capital, sits down with Tommy Tang, Director of Bioinformatics at AstraZeneca. Large language models and machine learning promise to revolutionize drug development—but what does it take to make that real? In this episode, we explore the critical role of domain expertise, data quality, and infrastructure. From messy datasets to organizational data silos, we break down why AI alone isn’t enough—and what must change to truly accelerate breakthroughs in cancer research. Tune in for valuable insights on: Overcoming challenges in data science Embracing AI in healthcare Leveraging technology to revolutionize healthcare You can connect with our host, René Bastón, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renebaston/ And our guest, Tommy Tang, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/🎯-ming-tommy-tang-40650014/ For more information on any of the topics discussed, visit the Hill Research Podcast at https://www.hillresearch.ai/podcast.

    8 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    Crashing Excel Pt. 6: From Guarded Scripts to GitHub: Why Sharing Makes Science Stronger

    This is an excerpt from Crashing Excel to Curing Cancer — How AI and Open Science Are Rewiring Drug Discovery(Part 6/6). In this episode, host René Bastón, Venture Partner at Covenant Venture Capital, sits down with Tommy Tang, Director of Bioinformatics at AstraZeneca. Open science isn’t just a philosophy—it’s a catalyst for progress. In this episode, we explore how sharing code, data, and methods empowers researchers, accelerates discoveries, and improves reproducibility. Tommy reflects on his journey from struggling to access others’ scripts to becoming an advocate for transparency, helping build a more collaborative and impactful scientific community. Tune in for valuable insights on: Overcoming challenges in data science Embracing AI in healthcare Leveraging technology to revolutionize healthcare You can connect with our host, René Bastón, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renebaston/ And our guest, Tommy Tang, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/🎯-ming-tommy-tang-40650014/ For more information on any of the topics discussed, visit the Hill Research Podcast at https://www.hillresearch.ai/podcast.

    19 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    From Wall Street Beats to Biotech Breakthroughs – Dean’s journey from DJ booths and banking to leading AI-driven clinical trial innovations

    Welcome to AI on the Hill, the podcast where we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and biotechnology, featuring thought leaders and innovators who are shaping the future of drug development and health tech. In this series, host René Bastón, Venture Partner at Covenant Venture Capital, and expert guests like Dean Zheng, Clinical Outsourcing Professional at Pfizer, discuss how AI is streamlining clinical trial operations, improving data quality, and accelerating the delivery of life-saving treatments. Dean Zheng shares his unique career journey from DJ booths and investment banking to clinical trial outsourcing in pharma. In this show, we dive into Dean’s transitions between industries, the lessons learned from working on both the CRO and sponsor sides, and how his diverse background fuels his approach to efficiency, collaboration, and problem-solving. Dean explains how AI can cut trial programming timelines by up to 70%, reduce human error, and free up teams to focus on strategic decision-making. Join us as we explore the real-world impact of AI on trial operations, from improving data workflows to creating hybrid collaboration models between pharma and tech. Dean’s insights into adaptability, strategic thinking, and embracing new tools make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving world of clinical trials. You can connect with our host, René Bastón, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renebaston/ And our guest, Dean Zheng, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-mingyang-zheng-0ab336108/ For more information on any of the topics discussed, visit the Hill Research Podcast at https://www.hillresearch.ai/podcast.

    41 min
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About

AI on the Hill is a podcast exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clinical research. Designed to inform and inspire, the show brings together thought leaders, innovators, and regulatory voices to discuss frontier developments in AI-driven drug discovery, clinical trials, and health tech innovations. Co-produced by Hill Research and the Tech Impact Foundation. Hill Research drives the advancement of AI in clinical trials, developing Generative AI solutions that optimize trial design, streamline operations, and improve regulatory outcomes, enabling faster delivery of life-changing therapies. Tech Impact Foundation advances the application of AI, biotechnology, and educational technology to improve human lives, promote knowledge sharing, and foster social equity through STEM education, public engagement, and investment in breakthrough research.

Information

  • Creator
    Hill Research
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    AI on the Hill