CBE 298 Seminar: Exploring the Intersection of Human Work and Data - Understanding AI Capabilities, Responsible Usage and Future-Oriented Skills

Abstract: In this talk, she will explore the intersection of human work and data, and gaps in understanding the capabilities and limitations of AI models. The goal is to think about how teams use and interpret data, as well as where and how we can use AI responsibly. To conclude, we will discuss what skills are key to invest in during your education to better prepare yourself for the future of work, and how to use AI as a multiplier for your strengths rather than a substitute.

Bio: Moraes De Souza is a data-driven scientist who is passionate about humanizing how we look and approach data in the context of industrial operations and process development. She approaches data as evidence within a broader story — combining critical thinking with statistical inference to understand variability, support decisions and improve robustness in bioprocess operations. While recent developments in artificial intelligence have created great excitement and concern around how we work, she believes that beyond adding a set of new tools to our toolbox, AI still needs humans to provide the models the most critical ingredient of an investigation: context.

Moraes De Souza currently works as a process development scientist at Amgen’s Commercial Attribute Sciences organization, partnering across functions to support commercial operations. Her journey with Amgen started in 2020 as an intern during her graduate studies at the Keck Graduate Institute, from where she earned a master of engineering in biopharmaceutical processing in 2021. She also earned a bachelor's degree in biomedicine from Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro.

Outside of work, she volunteers with the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering greater Los Angeles chapter and has been serving on its board since 2023 as the student affairs chair. Her role is to integrate the student and early career professional community by growing the student chapters at local universities and providing opportunities for students to connect and showcase their skills to seasoned professionals.