Dr. Jeff Welser, Vice President of IBM Research – Almaden in San Jose, California oversees scientists and engineers performing exploratory and applied research in the areas of physical and materials sciences, storage, cloud, IoT, neuromorphic systems, machine and deep learning, and healthcare, all contributing to IBM’s cognitive computing portfolio.

Jeff’s discussions around cognitive computing are rooted deeply in data. He articulates how IBM Research is applying tried and true data solutions to unexpected sources including unstructured social media data, medical images, cells, and even DNA and RNA of food samples and bacteria.

Drawing on Almaden’s decades of accomplishments in data security and data encryption — ranging from Blu-Ray DVD encryption technology to digital rights management — Jeff focuses on the need to apply these techniques and practices to blockchain networks. He oversees teams working on blockchain for media & entertainment as well as traceability and food safety on food supply chains.