Charles R. Drew, Blood Banking, and the Research Software Engineering Behind Medical Informatics
Published: Feb 25, 2025 by Cordero Core
US-RSE’s DEI working group (DEI-WG) is proud to help US-RSE celebrate and participate in Black History Month. Each week during Black History Month, the US-RSE will spotlight Black/African Americans who have been involved in computing, science, engineering, and/or math, and have inspired our members through their accomplishments in their careers and their personal stories.
In the 1940s, Dr. Charles R. Drew revolutionized modern medicine with his pioneering work in blood banking and transfusion medicine. His research on plasma preservation and large-scale blood storage laid the foundation for the blood donation systems we rely on today. More than a scientific breakthrough, Drew’s work was a testament to systems thinking, data management, and logistical precision—the same principles that underpin modern medical informatics and the infrastructure of healthcare today.
Just as Drew developed methods to scale the storage and distribution of blood, research software engineers (RSEs) today build scalable software systems for medical data management. Whether working on electronic health records (EHRs), blood tracking systems, or computational models in medicine, RSEs play a critical role in ensuring that data flows seamlessly, securely, and accurately—just as Drew ensured that blood could move efficiently from donor to patient.
His legacy is more than just medical—it is computational, logistical, and deeply human.
From Blood to Data: The Need for Scalable Infrastructure
Dr. Drew’s research came at a time when blood transfusions were lifesaving but inefficient. Prior to his innovations, there was no standardized system for collecting, preserving, and distributing blood on a large scale. His meticulous work led to the creation of plasma separation and storage techniques, allowing for longer shelf life and broader distribution—critical for saving lives during World War II.
The challenge Drew tackled—scaling a life-saving resource across large populations—is one that research software engineers continue to solve today. In modern healthcare, data is as critical as blood, and managing it requires similarly robust logistical and computational infrastructure.
- Blood Banking & Data Storage: Just as Drew developed storage protocols for blood, RSEs develop secure, scalable data storage solutions for patient records and medical research.
- Efficient Distribution & Data Pipelines: Drew optimized the movement of blood across hospitals and battlefields—RSEs design data pipelines that allow hospitals, researchers, and clinics to share critical patient information in real-time.
- Standardization & Interoperability: Drew’s standardized plasma storage methods are mirrored in modern medical informatics, where RSEs work to ensure that health data formats (HL7, FHIR, etc.) are interoperable across systems.
Like Drew’s blood banks, today’s medical informatics systems must be scalable, reliable, and life-saving.
Building the Digital Blood Bank: Research Software Engineering in Medicine
Imagine a hospital system without electronic health records (EHRs) or blood donation databases. Without RSEs, the complex software infrastructure behind modern medicine would not function.
- Blood Donation Software: RSEs build and maintain systems that track donors, blood type compatibility, storage conditions, and distribution needs across vast healthcare networks.
- Medical Informatics & Machine Learning: AI-driven models help predict blood shortages, optimize donation schedules, and detect anomalies in transfusion data—all powered by research software.
- Real-Time Data Sharing: Systems like FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) enable hospitals and blood banks to share data securely, ensuring faster response times and better patient outcomes.
Dr. Drew laid the groundwork for scalable blood management; today, RSEs extend that legacy by ensuring that medical software scales efficiently, remains interoperable, and serves all populations equitably.
Data, Ethics, and the Fight for Equity
Dr. Drew’s work was not just scientific—it was deeply political. During World War II, he opposed the segregation of blood donations by race, challenging racist policies that had no scientific basis but persisted due to structural discrimination. His advocacy for equitable healthcare access remains just as relevant today.
In research software engineering, we face similar ethical challenges:
- Bias in Medical AI: Just as Drew fought against racial segregation in blood banking, RSEs today must address bias in healthcare data models, ensuring that AI-driven diagnostics do not reinforce racial disparities.
- Data Security & Patient Rights: Drew fought for equitable access to life-saving blood—today, RSEs work to ensure that healthcare data remains secure, private, and ethically managed, particularly for marginalized communities.
- Open Science & Accessibility: The principles of open-source medical informatics align with Drew’s vision of universal access to life-saving resources. Just as blood banks were designed for public good, modern research software should strive for openness, accessibility, and fairness.
His fight for scientific integrity and racial justice in medicine is echoed in today’s discussions about algorithmic bias, data transparency, and ethical AI in healthcare.
The Path Forward: Recognizing Computational Contributions in Healthcare
Dr. Charles Drew was a scientist, an innovator, and a systems thinker. His work transcended medicine—it was about infrastructure, scalability, and ensuring life-saving resources were accessible to all.
For research software engineers, his story is a reminder that our work is not just technical—it is deeply human. The software we build in medical informatics, epidemiology, and health data management directly impacts lives, just as Drew’s innovations in blood banking did.
As we honor his legacy, we must also push for greater recognition of RSEs in medical research. Just as blood banks were once invisible until Drew’s work brought them into public consciousness, research software is often unseen—but it is essential.
It is time to recognize, credit, and support the engineers who build the digital infrastructure of modern medicine.
Join the Conversation
Dr. Charles Drew’s work in blood banking revolutionized medicine. Today, research software engineers continue his legacy by building the computational infrastructure that powers modern healthcare.
Throughout Black History Month, we will continue highlighting the contributions of Black scientists, mathematicians, and engineers who have shaped computational science and medical research.
Next, we’ll explore Brian Fox’s creation of Bash (the Bourne Again Shell) and how it’s foundational to open-source computing, automation, and scripting - core aspects of research software engineering.
How can we ensure that research software engineers in healthcare are valued and recognized? Share your thoughts, follow along on Medium, and join the US-RSE community to continue the conversation.
Share your thoughts, follow along on Medium, and join the US-RSE community to continue the conversation.