Sean T. Hanlon

Sean T. Hanlon, PhD, has more than 20 years of experience leading the development of technology and data solutions that support social science, basic science, public health, observational, and clinical research initiatives. He has served as a Principal Investigator and a Co-Investigator leading multisite research coordinating centers in a range of public health areas funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Hanlon leads the design, development, deployment, support, and enhancement of cloud-based technologies and data systems that support and enhance research in infectious diseases and associated long-term outcomes, substance use disorder, and cardiovascular disease. 

Dr. Hanlon’s technology background, supplemented by his research experience, provides him with a unique perspective for how technology and data can inform and facilitate high-quality research. He directs multidisciplinary teams of computer scientists, user experience designers, web developers, statisticians, data scientists, psychometricians, researchers, and other subject matter experts to optimize research operations throughout the software development and research lifecycles. This work includes systems design, applying research methodology, full-stack software development, leveraging experimental and emerging technologies, cloud-based infrastructure configuration and optimization, data management and security, data visualization, and dissemination of results. His doctoral research examined the importance of strategic and intentional system design in maximizing the impact and utility of a digital ecosystem.