Hands-On Training (HoT) sessions are BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)
In person Hands-On Training sessions (HoTs) this year will be set up such that attendees should bring their own device.
Depending on the session, pre-session setup on your device may be required. SAS-related sessions will use SAS OnDemand for Academics (SODA), and attendees will need to pre-register at least 24 hours in advance (see below).
HoTs Using SAS®
The following HoTs will use SAS:
| Session | Presenter(s) | Software Demonstrated | Attendee Software Requirements | Notes |
| HT-448 - SAS Macro Debugging Techniques for Mere Mortals | Kirk Paul Lafler | SAS 9.4 | SAS 9.4 DMS| SAS EG | SAS Studio| SODA | |
| HT-449 - SAS Performance Tuning Techniques (From Slow to Scalable) | Kirk Paul Lafler | SAS 9.4 | SAS 9.4 DMS| SAS EG | SAS Studio| SODA | |
| HT-453 - Understanding Administrative Healthcare Datasets Using SAS Programming Tools | Jay Iyengar | SAS 9.4 | SAS 9.4 DMS| SAS EG| SAS Studio | |
| HT-454 - SQL – The Grammar Behind A.I. | Charu Shankar | SAS 9.4 | SAS 9.4 DMS| SAS EG | SODA |
SODA is a cloud environment for accessing the SAS software (SAS Studio). You must register for SODA prior to the HoT sessions. The registration process is not instantaneous, so please register at least a day in advance (at least 24 hours before the HoT) and set up your SODA account, if you do not already have one, by following these instructions.
HoTs Using Open Source or Other Technology
The following HoTs will use Open Source or other platforms. If you’re using a company laptop, please make sure your VPN allows you to access the HOT environment.
| Session | Presenter(s) | Software Demonstrated | Attendee Software Requirements | Notes |
| HT-369 - Virtual Data, Real Standards – Leveraging Data Simulation for Smarter Clinical Trials | Nitesh Patil | N/A | ||
| HT-447 - Following Your Footsteps: Maintaining Traceability in ADaM Datasets | Nancy Brucken & Karl Miller | N/A | Microsoft Word | Exercises use MS-Word file |
| HT-450 - Getting Started with R Clinical Programming | Brian Varney | R | Posit Cloud- bring laptop with Internet connection | For company laptops, check VPN restrictions. |
| HT-451 - Accelerating Code Translation and Generation with ChatGPT | Brian Varney | Positron | R | Python | Posit Cloud, ChatGPT, SODA- bring laptop with Internet connection | For company laptops, check VPN restrictions. |
| HT-452 - Vibe Coding: Coding with Agentic AI | Kevin Lee | SAS, R or Python | SODA, Posit Cloud, Python- bring laptop with Internet connection | For company laptops, check VPN restrictions. |
| HT-466 - Introduction to Positron and AI Tooling in Clinical Reporting | Phil Bowsher | Posit Cloud, RStudio- bring laptop with Internet connection | For company laptops, check VPN restrictions. |
Need Help?
Please try to set up your BYOD device prior to the conference. It is particularly important to register for SODA ahead of time, if you plan on attending any of the SAS-related HoTs.
However, if you need assistance, we are working on scheduling a drop-in session on Sunday for testing access to HOT materials. Details will be announced here. Please note that neither PharmaSUG nor the instructors will perform any installations on your behalf. We will only be available to help answer questions. Any installations are done on your own and you take responsibility for any software you install on your device.
No Laptop! No Problem!
Attendees are welcome to attend HoT sessions and watch as the instructor work through the exercises on the screen. However, we request that you please be courteous and save table space for those who are working through the exercises on their device.
Last updated: 24-May-2026