The world may reopen soon! And in anticipation of shoulder-to-shoulder events, the exchange of droplets, and crowded stadiums, scientists and researchers have been busy imagining a new world where airlines, stadiums, and venues may require confirmation that you are either vaccinated, or COVID19 negative.

Elli Androulaki is one of the brilliant minds behind the IBM Digital Health Pass. The Digital Health Pass could allow you to store and share your COVID status — New York has just announced its pilot program with IBM, and Elli is the Distinguished IBM Researcher who helped create and build this technology using blockchain.

That means, in today's episode we are asking, "How will we show we have been vaccinated? What does that future look like? What is blockchain and why does it matter when it comes to COVID, or our health data? "

Dr. Elli Androulaki is a Distinguished Research Staff Member and Research Manager at the IBM Research Lab in Zurich, Switzerland working in the area of Blockchain Security and Applications.

She completed her PhD in Columbia University in applied cryptography aiming to address privacy issues in eCommerce activities, and did her Postdoctoral studies at ETH, Zurich.

Elli has applied her interest in blockchain, privacy, and security on a global effort to store and share health data in unprecedented new ways.

Tune back in two weeks for the next episode, and for questions or requests find us on IG @TheWomenPod or email [email protected].

Special thanks for this episode to Chase Purdy.

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