Her Story
About Layan
Layan Nahlawi, PhD, is a Senior Manager of AI in Healthcare at PwC and a Lecturer at the University of Chicago, bringing more than 16 years of experience across artificial intelligence, machine learning, bioinformatics, and healthcare technologies. At PwC, she leads AI transformation initiatives for healthcare, pharmaceutical, and life sciences organizations, helping clients reimagine business processes and implement scalable AI solutions that improve efficiency, accuracy, and patient-centered outcomes. Her expertise includes generative and agentic AI, predictive modeling, stochastic systems, multi-omics data integration, and biomedical image analysis.
Layan’s career spans academia, biomedical research, industry, and consulting. She earned a PhD in Computer Science with a focus on Biomedical Computing and Medical Imaging from Queen’s University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pharmacogenomics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She later served as a Senior Scientist in the Neuroscience Group at AbbVie’s Genomics Research Center before transitioning to PwC, where she has focused on scaling AI-driven healthcare transformation across payers, providers, pharmaceutical companies, and life sciences organizations. Her work has included developing technologies to support improved prostate cancer diagnosis and contributing to research in genomics and precision medicine.
Recognized for her leadership and contributions to data and AI, Layan was a 2024 WLDA Rising Star Finalist and a 2019 semifinalist for the Charles J. Epstein Trainee Awards for Excellence in Human Genetics Research. She is also an active educator, researcher, and member of professional organizations including ACM and IEEE. Driven by a desire to create meaningful impact through technology, Layan is passionate about applying AI and machine learning to critical healthcare challenges and improving people's lives. She encourages young women to carve their own paths, build credibility, remain grounded in their principles and values, and position themselves where they can make the greatest impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Layan
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my drive to create meaningful impact and improve people’s lives. I’m passionate about AI because I’ve seen its power firsthand, from developing systems that help doctors identify false negatives in prostate cancer diagnoses to delivering $25 million in net present value through AI solutions in consulting. I want my work to create lasting value and leave a meaningful legacy.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to avoid simply following the default path. Carve your own path, focus on where you can make the greatest impact, and build the credibility that gives you the flexibility to grow. In male-dominated environments, stay true to your principles and values, establish your expertise, and create your own opportunities rather than waiting for someone else to build the ladder for you.
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