Albert O. Shar, Ph.D., M.A., the Foundation’s first vice president of information technology, brings his extensive experience in technology/systems innovation, global systems coordination, and business systems analysis to advancing RWJF’s electronic information strategy. Attracted to the Foundation in 2001 by the “opportunity to build something new,” he has directed the development and delivery of all computer services, from what he describes as “desktop support to an innovative information infrastructure that supports every aspect of RWJF’s operations.”

Under Shar’s leadership, the Foundation has developed and implemented its own modular grant application system to manage its core business. This innovative system supports the entire grant process from application to completion of the grant project, resulting in what Shar calls “increased efficiencies both internally and in supporting the people and organizations with whom we work.” Observing that his career in academia and pharmaceutical research involved continually developing new technologies, organizations, and infrastructures, he sees his role at RWJF as “enabling others to build things by providing operational and programmatic support that spans the entire organization.”

Shar also serves as a senior program officer for a number of grants in the Pioneer Portfolio, a component of the Foundation dedicated to promoting fundamental breakthroughs in health and health care through innovative projects, including those from nontraditional sources and fields.

Before joining the Foundation, Shar was director for Information Technology Research and Architecture at the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical Institute, a Johnson & Johnson company, where he developed innovative ways to use IT to improve the drug discovery and development process. Prior to that, Shar held the positions of director of technology services, University of Pennsylvania Health System, and executive director, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He has held research and teaching professorships at the University of Pennsylvania, University of New Hampshire, Swiss Federal Polytechnic Institute and University of Colorado.

Shar is the author of more than 40 scholarly publications in medical informatics, computer science, and pure and applied mathematics. Most recently his research has focused on medical imaging and was awarded a patent (#7,011,625) for the accurate visualization and measurement of endoscopic images.

Shar received a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, an M.A. from Fordham University, and a B.A. from Brandeis University. He and his wife, Cynthia, a psychologist in private practice, live in Ambler, Pa. They have two adult children and four grandchildren.

• Return to Pioneer team list