Behind the Data Platform: Meet the NACC tech team
Behind every advancement in the NACC Data Platform is a dedicated Technology Team that makes it all possible. We are extremely grateful for their expertise, thoughtfulness, and daily commitment to supporting the ADRC Program. From building and maintaining core infrastructure to continuously improving the methods for collecting, integrating, and sharing data, their efforts enable researchers across the country to access and utilize high-quality, multimodal data.
For those less familiar with NACC, this team operates at the heart of our data ecosystem. They develop the tools, systems, and processes that connect ADRCs and make data accessible for the wider research community. We are pleased to introduce the individuals behind this work and to recognize their important contributions to advancing research on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Shilpa Allimatti, MS, MBA
Shilpa has over a decade of experience leading and supporting technical projects for healthcare and research. She has led the NACC Technology (Tech) Team for the last two years and is responsible for working with NACC Executive Leadership to create all technical strategies for NACC. Shilpa has been instrumental in leading the Tech Team through the creation and launch of the NACC Data Platform, the release of UDSv4, and the retirement of the Legacy Data Platform. Outside of NACC, Shilpa enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family outdoors.
Ben Keller, PhD
Ben has been with NACC for over four years. During that time, he has been a leader on the Tech Team and has been instrumental in developing the infrastructure that supports the modernization of all NACC’s data submission and sharing processes. Ben is the lead software engineer for the creation of the Flywheel-based NACC Data Platform and the supporting processes.
Janene Hubbard
Janene has been with NACC since its inception more than 25 years ago. She provides support to ADRC Program data managers, especially in the data submission, error check, and quality assurance processes. Janene’s wealth of knowledge about NACC’s historical processes and her connections to ADRC members across the Program are instrumental in advancing NACC’s technical processes.
Zach Stark
Zach has been a member of the NACC Tech Team for more than seven years. In that time, he supported the design, development, and maintenance of software that supports NACC’s data and research processes. He is the team’s resident expert on all things imaging. He regularly implements code to support researchers’ data requests, enabling quick and accurate data sharing via NACC’s Quick Access File.
Laura McLeod
Laura has over 15 years of experience in REDCap development and has led REDCap administration at NACC for the past four years. She has been a leader with the Electronic Data Capture (EDC) Workgroup and has been fundamental in the development of new and improved EDC processes. She also oversees and assists in the development and distribution of survey instruments and evaluation tools that support NACC and the ADRC Program. Laura has been recognized multiple times at the national REDCap conference, REDCapCon, as a leader in the field of REDCap administration.
Brendan Smith
Brendan has been a member of the NACC Tech Team for four years. He has been critical in supporting NACC and the ADRC Program by building user-friendly interfaces, most notably the ADRC Portal and Reporting solutions for the NACC Data Platform. Brendan was also a leader in creating the NACC website and remains involved in developing technical elements that support the ADRC Program and researchers everywhere. In his free time, Brendan enjoys spending time in nature and participating in various mountain sports, including skiing, climbing, and cycling.
Chandima HewaNadungodage, PhD
Chandima has been a member of the NACC Tech Team for four years. She supports all of NACC’s data quality control processes and led the creation of error checks for UDSv4 along with the NACC Research Team. She has also been integral in the expansion of NACC’s Electronic Data Capture system. Outside of NACC, Chandima enjoys gardening and reading novels.
Emily Cheng
Emily has worked at NACC for a year and a half; in that time, she has supported a variety of software development projects. These projects have included assisting with the creation of quality-control processes for UDSv4 data submission. She has also been instrumental in developing the new process for creating NACC’s Quick Access Files and in the overall maintenance of the NACC Data Platform. In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time outdoors and participating in competitive swimming.
We are lucky to enjoy the continued dedication and expertise of the NACC Technology Team and the critical role they play in supporting NACC and the ADRC Program. Their work is foundational to our mission and ongoing progress.
In the coming weeks, we look forward to introducing additional NACC teams and highlighting the many individuals whose contributions drive our work forward.