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PALO ALTO, Calif., June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanford University Libraries are excited to announce two new members to its leadership team effective June 1. Sarah Sussman will join as the Assistant University Librarian for Collections and Public Services in the Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences, and Alma Parada will serve as the Assistant University Librarian for Collections and Public Services in Sciences and Engineering.
"Both Sarah and Alma will be wonderful additions to the Libraries' leadership team known as the Library Executive Group," says Michael A. Keller, the Ida M. Green University Librarian. "As AULs for Collections and Public Services, they will oversee one of the largest areas in the Libraries covering collections management and public services across twenty libraries and centers. Their incredible talents, skills, and contributions to the Libraries over the years are attestments to the leadership they will bring to their new roles. I am thrilled to welcome such remarkable leaders to our Library Executive Group."
Sarah Sussman: Leading Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences
Sussman started at the Libraries in 2002 as Curator of the French and Italian Collections soon after finishing her PhD in History at Stanford. During her tenure, she developed both the general and special collections in French and Italian focusing on women in France and Italy, history of science and exploration, 18th century French literature and history, and the French empire. Notably, in 2020, she led the acquisition of the Roxane Debuisson Collection on Paris History, a unique and extensive collection documenting the history of Paris through its infrastructure and commerce. The Debuisson Collection is widely used by Stanford faculty today.
James P. Daughton, Professor of History, praises Sussman's role in bringing the collection to Stanford, "Without her determination and leadership, Stanford would not have been able to acquire what is one of the finest private collections in the history of France. In addition to [being] a formidable researcher, she has curated a collection of primary sources that has made Stanford an internationally recognized center for its collections related to French history, culture, and society."
Adds Keith Baker, the J. E. Wallace Sterling Professor of the Humanities, "Sarah Sussman is a superb librarian – knowledgeable, curious, resourceful, generous in support of student and faculty research, and deeply committed to strengthening the collections under her care."
In 2011, Sussman became the head of the International and Area Studies Resource Group, later reconfigured as the Humanities and Area Studies Resource Group (HASRG) in 2017. Leading the HASRG has provided Sussman a natural step forward to her AUL role. "I am excited to build on my curatorial and management experience in a more strategic role as AUL for Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences Collections and Services," shares Sussman. "Guiding my vision is the belief that research and teaching in the global humanities and social sciences are more critical than ever in today's complicated world. I look forward to working with colleagues across the libraries to address the challenges that new technologies and research methodologies offer Stanford's amazing subject librarians and collections in these fields."
Sussman's colleagues are equally excited for her new role. Benjamin Stone, Curator for American and British History, remarks, "Sarah has excelled at building, maintaining, and exposing unique collections at SUL, including rare books and manuscripts, while at the same time staying abreast of technological developments and innovation. At a national and international level, Sarah's long engagement and leadership in the European Studies Section of ACRL exemplifies her commitment to building collaborative relationships with libraries far and wide. The Libraries and the broader Stanford community are highly fortunate to have Sarah's leadership as incoming AUL for Humanities and Social Sciences."
Alma Parada: Leading Sciences and Engineering
Parada's journey to the Libraries echoes that of Sussman's, coming to Stanford in 2016 as a postdoctoral scholar in Marine Biology after receiving her PhD in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography from the University of Southern California in 2015. She started as the Earth and Environmental Sciences Librarian in 2021, a role she retained when she became Head Librarian for the Branner Earth Sciences Library & Map Collections in 2024.
In her dual roles, Parada managed one of the most comprehensive libraries in the Earth Sciences with its vast holdings in geophysics, energy, climate, and geology, along with its renowned map collections and the GeoSpatial Map Center housed in Branner Library. In 2022, she skillfully navigated Branner Library during the School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences' transformation to the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, continuing Branner Library's support of faculty and students in these new departments.
Faculty and colleagues from across the Doerr School have praised Parada's role in leading Branner Library and welcome her appointment as AUL. Stephan Graham, the Welton Joseph and Maude L'Anphere Crook Professor in Applied Earth Sciences, states, "Dr. Parada has fully met my expectations as Branner Head Librarian. Her background as a Ph.D. holder in Biological Sciences has given her a fundamental understanding of what a nationally recognized Earth library needs to maintain and advance its quality."
Simon Klemperer, Professor of Geophysics, notes Parada's enthusiastic work with students in particular. "Every year," he recounts, "I teach our capstone Senior Seminar to Geophysics and EPS (formerly Geology) students [and have…] found great value in bringing Alma into my classroom to teach the undergraduates how to take advantage of our library system, how to find and properly utilize resources in their own research."
While both acknowledge the loss Parada's departure will be for Branner Library and the Doerr School, they are pleased that she will not be too far away in her AUL role. "The silver lining to Alma's promotion is that she will still be responsible for Branner, and that, as a faculty member, I can be reassured that she will mentor her successor and keep a watchful eye over her former branch library," adds Klemperer.
Parada will bring her extensive research background into this next chapter with the Libraries, "I am delighted to continue my journey at Stanford in this new leadership role and look forward to working with my colleagues to continue evolving our support of science and engineering research and scholarship in partnership with the entire team across the Libraries," says Parada.
Amanda Whitmire, Head Librarian for Hopkins Marine Library, concurs, "Alma has shown consistent growth and development as Head of Branner Library, and I am confident in her leadership. I look forward to collaborating with her in this new role."
As AUL in their respective areas, both Sussman and Parada will oversee collections development and public services including reference, instruction, and research consultations across multiple libraries and centers. They will also retain some aspects of their current roles. Sussman will continue to develop the Libraries' holdings of French rarities and unicae for the Department of Special Collections while Parada will consider and oversee the addition of digital items, collections, and licensing for Stanford's researchers in the sciences, engineering, and sustainability.
Together, they will lead teams of subject specialist librarians and staff who serve faculty and students across Stanford's schools and departments. In their AUL roles, they will shape strategic priorities for building world-class collections in both digital and analog formats, developing innovative services, and fostering partnerships with academic departments to advance Stanford's teaching and research missions.
These appointments reflect Stanford University Libraries' commitment to supporting research across all disciplines while responding to the evolving needs of scholarship in the 21st century. With combined expertise spanning humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields, Sussman and Parada are well-positioned to lead Stanford University Libraries in these areas to support the research and teaching needs at Stanford.
About Stanford University Libraries
The Stanford University Libraries are a dynamic network of libraries, librarians, information technology specialists, and a vast collection of academic resources that are dedicated to supporting research, teaching, and learning at Stanford. The Libraries hold over fifteen million items in various genres and formats, including e-resources, fifty subject specialists, twenty campus libraries and centers, and a broad spectrum of services. The Libraries' archival collections span 96,000 linear feet of materials, 329,781 rare books and manuscripts, and 300 terabytes from hundreds of local and distant collections. The holdings include a large and growing collection of artistic photographs as well as photographs and documents about the history of civil rights in the Mexican American, African American, and Asian American communities, such as the documentary photographic collections of Bob Fitch and David Bacon. There are also political papers of both local and state politicians, such as the recently acquired papers of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein; historical maps featured in the David Rumsey Map Collection; and the incredibly diverse history covered in the Silicon Valley Archives. These archival collections and more are available at the Libraries in the Department of Special Collections and in the Stanford Digital Repository. Finding aids to the Libraries' archival collections are accessible in the Online Archive of California. The Libraries' physical and digital spaces are designed to promote freedom and discovery, making knowledge-seeking more meaningful, more personal, and more connected than ever. The opportunities for contributing to and transforming the commonwealth of knowledge are wide and deep at Stanford University Libraries.
Contact
Stanford University Libraries, Assistant University Librarian for External Relations Anh Ly anhly@stanford.edu
PALO ALTO, Calif., June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanford University Libraries are excited to announce two new members to its leadership team effective June 1. Sarah Sussman will join as the Assistant University Librarian for Collections and Public Services in the Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences, and Alma Parada will serve as the Assistant University Librarian for Collections and Public Services in Sciences and Engineering.
"Both Sarah and Alma will be wonderful additions to the Libraries' leadership team known as the Library Executive Group," says Michael A. Keller, the Ida M. Green University Librarian. "As AULs for Collections and Public Services, they will oversee one of the largest areas in the Libraries covering collections management and public services across twenty libraries and centers. Their incredible talents, skills, and contributions to the Libraries over the years are attestments to the leadership they will bring to their new roles. I am thrilled to welcome such remarkable leaders to our Library Executive Group."
Sarah Sussman: Leading Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences
Sussman started at the Libraries in 2002 as Curator of the French and Italian Collections soon after finishing her PhD in History at Stanford. During her tenure, she developed both the general and special collections in French and Italian focusing on women in France and Italy, history of science and exploration, 18th century French literature and history, and the French empire. Notably, in 2020, she led the acquisition of the Roxane Debuisson Collection on Paris History, a unique and extensive collection documenting the history of Paris through its infrastructure and commerce. The Debuisson Collection is widely used by Stanford faculty today.
James P. Daughton, Professor of History, praises Sussman's role in bringing the collection to Stanford, "Without her determination and leadership, Stanford would not have been able to acquire what is one of the finest private collections in the history of France. In addition to [being] a formidable researcher, she has curated a collection of primary sources that has made Stanford an internationally recognized center for its collections related to French history, culture, and society."
Adds Keith Baker, the J. E. Wallace Sterling Professor of the Humanities, "Sarah Sussman is a superb librarian – knowledgeable, curious, resourceful, generous in support of student and faculty research, and deeply committed to strengthening the collections under her care."
In 2011, Sussman became the head of the International and Area Studies Resource Group, later reconfigured as the Humanities and Area Studies Resource Group (HASRG) in 2017. Leading the HASRG has provided Sussman a natural step forward to her AUL role. "I am excited to build on my curatorial and management experience in a more strategic role as AUL for Humanities, Area Studies, and Social Sciences Collections and Services," shares Sussman. "Guiding my vision is the belief that research and teaching in the global humanities and social sciences are more critical than ever in today's complicated world. I look forward to working with colleagues across the libraries to address the challenges that new technologies and research methodologies offer Stanford's amazing subject librarians and collections in these fields."
Sussman's colleagues are equally excited for her new role. Benjamin Stone, Curator for American and British History, remarks, "Sarah has excelled at building, maintaining, and exposing unique collections at SUL, including rare books and manuscripts, while at the same time staying abreast of technological developments and innovation. At a national and international level, Sarah's long engagement and leadership in the European Studies Section of ACRL exemplifies her commitment to building collaborative relationships with libraries far and wide. The Libraries and the broader Stanford community are highly fortunate to have Sarah's leadership as incoming AUL for Humanities and Social Sciences."
Alma Parada: Leading Sciences and Engineering
Parada's journey to the Libraries echoes that of Sussman's, coming to Stanford in 2016 as a postdoctoral scholar in Marine Biology after receiving her PhD in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography from the University of Southern California in 2015. She started as the Earth and Environmental Sciences Librarian in 2021, a role she retained when she became Head Librarian for the Branner Earth Sciences Library & Map Collections in 2024.
In her dual roles, Parada managed one of the most comprehensive libraries in the Earth Sciences with its vast holdings in geophysics, energy, climate, and geology, along with its renowned map collections and the GeoSpatial Map Center housed in Branner Library. In 2022, she skillfully navigated Branner Library during the School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences' transformation to the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, continuing Branner Library's support of faculty and students in these new departments.
Faculty and colleagues from across the Doerr School have praised Parada's role in leading Branner Library and welcome her appointment as AUL. Stephan Graham, the Welton Joseph and Maude L'Anphere Crook Professor in Applied Earth Sciences, states, "Dr. Parada has fully met my expectations as Branner Head Librarian. Her background as a Ph.D. holder in Biological Sciences has given her a fundamental understanding of what a nationally recognized Earth library needs to maintain and advance its quality."
Simon Klemperer, Professor of Geophysics, notes Parada's enthusiastic work with students in particular. "Every year," he recounts, "I teach our capstone Senior Seminar to Geophysics and EPS (formerly Geology) students [and have…] found great value in bringing Alma into my classroom to teach the undergraduates how to take advantage of our library system, how to find and properly utilize resources in their own research."
While both acknowledge the loss Parada's departure will be for Branner Library and the Doerr School, they are pleased that she will not be too far away in her AUL role. "The silver lining to Alma's promotion is that she will still be responsible for Branner, and that, as a faculty member, I can be reassured that she will mentor her successor and keep a watchful eye over her former branch library," adds Klemperer.
Parada will bring her extensive research background into this next chapter with the Libraries, "I am delighted to continue my journey at Stanford in this new leadership role and look forward to working with my colleagues to continue evolving our support of science and engineering research and scholarship in partnership with the entire team across the Libraries," says Parada.
Amanda Whitmire, Head Librarian for Hopkins Marine Library, concurs, "Alma has shown consistent growth and development as Head of Branner Library, and I am confident in her leadership. I look forward to collaborating with her in this new role."
As AUL in their respective areas, both Sussman and Parada will oversee collections development and public services including reference, instruction, and research consultations across multiple libraries and centers. They will also retain some aspects of their current roles. Sussman will continue to develop the Libraries' holdings of French rarities and unicae for the Department of Special Collections while Parada will consider and oversee the addition of digital items, collections, and licensing for Stanford's researchers in the sciences, engineering, and sustainability.
Together, they will lead teams of subject specialist librarians and staff who serve faculty and students across Stanford's schools and departments. In their AUL roles, they will shape strategic priorities for building world-class collections in both digital and analog formats, developing innovative services, and fostering partnerships with academic departments to advance Stanford's teaching and research missions.
These appointments reflect Stanford University Libraries' commitment to supporting research across all disciplines while responding to the evolving needs of scholarship in the 21st century. With combined expertise spanning humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields, Sussman and Parada are well-positioned to lead Stanford University Libraries in these areas to support the research and teaching needs at Stanford.
About Stanford University Libraries
The Stanford University Libraries are a dynamic network of libraries, librarians, information technology specialists, and a vast collection of academic resources that are dedicated to supporting research, teaching, and learning at Stanford. The Libraries hold over fifteen million items in various genres and formats, including e-resources, fifty subject specialists, twenty campus libraries and centers, and a broad spectrum of services. The Libraries' archival collections span 96,000 linear feet of materials, 329,781 rare books and manuscripts, and 300 terabytes from hundreds of local and distant collections. The holdings include a large and growing collection of artistic photographs as well as photographs and documents about the history of civil rights in the Mexican American, African American, and Asian American communities, such as the documentary photographic collections of Bob Fitch and David Bacon. There are also political papers of both local and state politicians, such as the recently acquired papers of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein; historical maps featured in the David Rumsey Map Collection; and the incredibly diverse history covered in the Silicon Valley Archives. These archival collections and more are available at the Libraries in the Department of Special Collections and in the Stanford Digital Repository. Finding aids to the Libraries' archival collections are accessible in the Online Archive of California. The Libraries' physical and digital spaces are designed to promote freedom and discovery, making knowledge-seeking more meaningful, more personal, and more connected than ever. The opportunities for contributing to and transforming the commonwealth of knowledge are wide and deep at Stanford University Libraries.
Contact
Stanford University Libraries, Assistant University Librarian for External Relations Anh Ly anhly@stanford.edu
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Stanford University Libraries Welcome Two New Assistant University Librarians
Stanford University Libraries Welcome Two New Assistant University Librarians
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OXFORD, United Kingdom and HOUSTON, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Optellum, a leader in AI-enabled lung cancer diagnostics, today announced that it has surpassed 250 clinical sites and analyzed more than 3 million cases to date. This milestone underscores Optellum's commitment to empowering health systems and clinical care teams with the tools needed to identify, prioritize, and manage high-risk lung nodules more effectively. This commercial momentum is supported by first-of-their-kind partnerships across major markets, including with Bristol Myers Squibb in the US, and with the NHS and Intuitive Surgical to support end-to-end AI & robot lung cancer pathways in the UK. It is also reflected in established and new customer deployments at leading health systems, including the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Oxford University Hospitals.
The scale of Optellum's impact is accelerating rapidly, and the company is now helping one patient every 14 seconds. Optellum pioneered the world's first FDA-cleared, CE-marked, and Medicare-reimbursed AI solution for image-based lung cancer risk stratification – Lung Cancer Prediction (LCP) AI, under the CPT codes 0721T and 0722T. LCP AI is helping to reduce the uncertainty associated with indeterminate lung nodules, ensuring that no nodule patient is left behind. Further, the wraparound Virtual Nodule Clinic (VNC) solution supports guideline-aligned decisions and has been shown to improve clinicians' efficiency while reducing time to recommended treatment.[1]
This growth reflects a broader shift toward the adoption of evidence-based innovation in thoracic care. Optellum continues to expand LungOSⓇ, its end-to-end AI-powered lung health platform, powered by the world's first Thorax CT Foundation Model built for real-world precision lung care. This foundation model is the only model in the world to leverage DART, the world's largest lung cancer CT dataset. LungOSⓇ brings VNC together with modules for triage and detection,[2] diagnostic support,[3] and therapy guidance.[4] Looking ahead, Optellum is poised to expand its clinical suite with the upcoming European launch of LungDetect, an exciting addition designed to simplify and accelerate nodule identification and characterization.
"Optellum is incredibly proud to be helping more health systems and clinicians provide timely, life-saving care to a growing number of patients," said Dr. Johnathan Watkins, Optellum's CEO. "Reaching 250 sites and analyzing millions of cases each year is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust of our clinical partners. However, we are just getting started; we continue to build LungOSⓇ into the must-have "operating system" for lung cancer and thoracic care more broadly. We invite the global healthcare community to join us on our mission to help solve lung cancer by ensuring early diagnosis and early intervention become the standard for everyone everywhere."
Results from Optellum's continued growth and real-world clinical use will continue to be shared with clinicians, healthcare leaders, and policymakers to reach the broader goal of improving outcomes for every thoracic care team, in every hospital, for every patient.
About Optellum
Optellum is a commercial-stage AI healthcare company dedicated to revolutionizing early diagnosis and treatment of lung disease, starting with one of the deadliest, lung cancer.
Optellum is building LungOSⓇ, the end-to-end AI-powered platform for thoracic care. Its flagship product, Virtual Nodule Clinic (VNC) with Lung Cancer Prediction AI (LCP), is the world's first FDA-cleared and reimbursed software-as-a-medical-device (SaMD) solution for AI-powered lung cancer prioritization and diagnostic support. Clinicians trust the Optellum solution to aid them in making the most appropriate life-saving treatment decisions for their patients. Backed by real-world clinical evidence, Optellum's solution accelerates the diagnostic care pathway by enabling early patient identification, enhancing prioritization, and improving clinicians' efficiency, reducing time to guideline-recommended treatment. Optellum VNC is FDA cleared, CE-MDR marked, UKCA marked, and TGA-approved.
Optellum is headquartered in Oxford, UK, and has an office in Houston, Texas, US.
[1] Hill NR et al. Employment of artificial intelligence for early lung cancer diagnosis: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open Respiratory Research. 2025;12: e003225. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjresp-2025-003225
[2] Both text-based detection with Patient Discovery and Patient Safety Net as well as image-based detection. Product availability depends on your region, please contact Optellum for more information.
[3] Commercially available in the US, EU/UK, and Australia.
[4] Pending; for research use only
Media Contact
marketing@optellum.com
OXFORD, United Kingdom and HOUSTON, June 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Optellum, a leader in AI-enabled lung cancer diagnostics, today announced that it has surpassed 250 clinical sites and analyzed more than 3 million cases to date. This milestone underscores Optellum's commitment to empowering health systems and clinical care teams with the tools needed to identify, prioritize, and manage high-risk lung nodules more effectively. This commercial momentum is supported by first-of-their-kind partnerships across major markets, including with Bristol Myers Squibb in the US, and with the NHS and Intuitive Surgical to support end-to-end AI & robot lung cancer pathways in the UK. It is also reflected in established and new customer deployments at leading health systems, including the University of Pennsylvania Health System, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and Oxford University Hospitals.
The scale of Optellum's impact is accelerating rapidly, and the company is now helping one patient every 14 seconds. Optellum pioneered the world's first FDA-cleared, CE-marked, and Medicare-reimbursed AI solution for image-based lung cancer risk stratification – Lung Cancer Prediction (LCP) AI, under the CPT codes 0721T and 0722T. LCP AI is helping to reduce the uncertainty associated with indeterminate lung nodules, ensuring that no nodule patient is left behind. Further, the wraparound Virtual Nodule Clinic (VNC) solution supports guideline-aligned decisions and has been shown to improve clinicians' efficiency while reducing time to recommended treatment.[1]
This growth reflects a broader shift toward the adoption of evidence-based innovation in thoracic care. Optellum continues to expand LungOSⓇ, its end-to-end AI-powered lung health platform, powered by the world's first Thorax CT Foundation Model built for real-world precision lung care. This foundation model is the only model in the world to leverage DART, the world's largest lung cancer CT dataset. LungOSⓇ brings VNC together with modules for triage and detection,[2] diagnostic support,[3] and therapy guidance.[4] Looking ahead, Optellum is poised to expand its clinical suite with the upcoming European launch of LungDetect, an exciting addition designed to simplify and accelerate nodule identification and characterization.
"Optellum is incredibly proud to be helping more health systems and clinicians provide timely, life-saving care to a growing number of patients," said Dr. Johnathan Watkins, Optellum's CEO. "Reaching 250 sites and analyzing millions of cases each year is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust of our clinical partners. However, we are just getting started; we continue to build LungOSⓇ into the must-have "operating system" for lung cancer and thoracic care more broadly. We invite the global healthcare community to join us on our mission to help solve lung cancer by ensuring early diagnosis and early intervention become the standard for everyone everywhere."
Results from Optellum's continued growth and real-world clinical use will continue to be shared with clinicians, healthcare leaders, and policymakers to reach the broader goal of improving outcomes for every thoracic care team, in every hospital, for every patient.
About Optellum
Optellum is a commercial-stage AI healthcare company dedicated to revolutionizing early diagnosis and treatment of lung disease, starting with one of the deadliest, lung cancer.
Optellum is building LungOSⓇ, the end-to-end AI-powered platform for thoracic care. Its flagship product, Virtual Nodule Clinic (VNC) with Lung Cancer Prediction AI (LCP), is the world's first FDA-cleared and reimbursed software-as-a-medical-device (SaMD) solution for AI-powered lung cancer prioritization and diagnostic support. Clinicians trust the Optellum solution to aid them in making the most appropriate life-saving treatment decisions for their patients. Backed by real-world clinical evidence, Optellum's solution accelerates the diagnostic care pathway by enabling early patient identification, enhancing prioritization, and improving clinicians' efficiency, reducing time to guideline-recommended treatment. Optellum VNC is FDA cleared, CE-MDR marked, UKCA marked, and TGA-approved.
Optellum is headquartered in Oxford, UK, and has an office in Houston, Texas, US.
[1] Hill NR et al. Employment of artificial intelligence for early lung cancer diagnosis: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open Respiratory Research. 2025;12: e003225. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjresp-2025-003225
[2] Both text-based detection with Patient Discovery and Patient Safety Net as well as image-based detection. Product availability depends on your region, please contact Optellum for more information.
[3] Commercially available in the US, EU/UK, and Australia.
[4] Pending; for research use only
Media Contact
marketing@optellum.com
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Optellum Celebrates Accelerating Impact in Lung Cancer Care; Now at Over 250 Sites and Growing
