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Real-World Data Experts

Associate Director, Real-World Data, HEOR

Meghana Shamsunder, PhD, MPH

As Associate Director in Norstella’s Real-World Data HEOR division, Meghana is both a research collaborator and a critical thought partner. She leads the development of robust study designs, overseeing analytic implementation and synthesizing findings to help clients answer their most complex data questions.

What is your role at Norstella?

As Associate Director in Norstella’s Real-World Data HEOR division, I’m both a research collaborator and a critical thought partner. My role involves leading the development of robust study designs, overseeing analytic implementation, and synthesizing findings to help clients answer their most complex questions. I work cross-functionally across teams and business units to ensure that we deliver scientifically rigorous, actionable insights.

Tell us about your real-world data expertise.

I’m an epidemiologist and advanced methodologist with a strong foundation in causal inference. My work spans a broad range of topical areas, including breast cancer, COVID-19, autoimmune disorders, patient-reported outcomes, and health services research. Across these domains, I have consistently worked with real-world, observational data such as claims, EHR, and longitudinal panel datasets. I bring a deep appreciation for the complexities and limitations of real-world data—its inherent messiness, the nuances of how it’s collected and structured, and the potential for bias. These insights inform how I design studies, structure analyses, and interpret results. I have published over 40 peer-reviewed articles, reflecting both the breadth of my expertise and my commitment to rigorous, high-impact research.

What’s been one of the most rewarding or exciting projects that you’ve been a part of and why?

One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is engaging with clients who are genuinely excited about their research questions. I’m excited by those deep, detailed conversations around study design, data structure, and analytic strategy—all with the goal to produce high-quality, rigorous research. These collaborations feel like true partnerships, where we challenge each other to think critically and creatively. It’s incredibly satisfying to help translate research ideas into methodologically sound studies that can make a real impact.

What does a day in the life of a RWD analyst look like at Norstella?

No two days are the same and that’s one of the things I enjoy most about this work. One day might involve digging into the literature to better understand a therapeutic area; another might be spent refining code or troubleshooting analytic anomalies. Whether the task is strategic or technical, what remains constant is the strong sense of collaboration. We don’t work in silos—there’s always someone ready to brainstorm, problem-solve, or lend a hand. Norstella’s team-oriented environment is what allows us to consistently move complex projects across the finish line.

What types of problems are our RWD helping pharma solve?

Real-world data is helping pharma address a wide range of challenges—both as a complement to clinical trial data and as a substitute when trials aren’t feasible. For example, in rare disease research, RWD is invaluable due to its broad population coverage, which makes it possible to study such conditions. It’s also instrumental in understanding how treatments are used in everyday clinical practice compared to the highly controlled settings of trials. Whether it’s assessing treatment patterns, monitoring safety, evaluating effectiveness in diverse populations, or generating external comparators, RWD plays a critical role in helping pharma make more informed, evidence-based decisions.

When you’re not analyzing data, what do you like to do?

I really enjoy the process of learning new skills—right now, I’m diving into furniture flipping as I plan to refinish my dining room table. I also spend time on other creative pursuits like portrait drawing, painting, knitting, and cooking. Overall, I find a lot of joy in activities that require focus and craftsmanship. Nothing beats reaching that “flow state” where everything else fades away and I’m fully immersed in the task at hand like doing a jigsaw puzzle (my biggest one so far had 5,000 pieces) or kneading bread.