Certara Professional Courses and Certifications

Cost - Free PML-School: Learn How to Build Custom PK and PK/PD Models in Phoenix WinNonlin In this series of videos you will learn how to create models using Phoenix Modeling Language (PML).  These are the recordings of the PML school webinars which can also be found on the Phoenix Support Forum. Read more

Cost - Free This complimentary course will teach you the new features, functionality and improvements available in Trial Simulator 2.3. Trial Simulation is used to optimize trial design to ensure greater success to meet trial objectives.  This course is intended  for users who have prior experience with Trial Simulator and who are upgrading to version 2.3.  Although certain sections might  help new users to better understand the aspects of trial simulation prior experience is recommended.  The course explains the new features that have been added and also contains a practical component to verify knowledge. There is no need to have the software installed locally to take this short course and do the practical sections. Course Content Introduction Installation, configuration, supported OS, other 3rd party compatibility Accessing study files and simulation results from previous version PK/PD Trial Simulation Demonstration [includes an interactive section] Plotting and Analysis using R Software within Trial Simulator [includes an interactive section] Conclusions Software Used Trial Simulator 2.3 (No need to install locally) Course Length:  The course provides approximately 2 hours of video instruction which includes a practical component that you can do at your own pace. It is expected to take participants about 4 hours to complete, including time to perform the tasks in Trial Simulator 2.3. Prerequisites Participants should have a good background in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics modeling and simulation, and ideally, prior experience with Trial Simulator software. Instructor Christopher Mehl is a Senior Software Trainer with Certara University, and has been with Certara since 2003. His educational background is a BS in Molecular Biology from the Ohio State University, and an MS in Pharmacology from the University of Wisconsin. He has conducted over 200 training courses with Certara products such as Phoenix WinNonlin, IVIVC, NLME, PKS, and Trial Simulator. These include workshops at the US Food and Drug Administration, universities, customer sites, and courses open to the public. Read more

This is an archive of the NONMEM to NLME webinars that were presented during 2018. The goal is to demonstrate how to convert NONMEM models into Phoenix. A range of scenarios is covered ranging from PK and PKPD to categorical response and TMDD models. All sessions include a detailed discussion of the translation from NM-TRAN to PML code as well as how to setup and run NONMEM and Phoenix NLME models, finishing with a comparison of the two model results. Read more

Cost: $250 / hr By purchasing this you can arrange to have one "office hour" with a specific trainer.  The duration will be 60 minutes.  Additional time can be arranged by purchasing this course again. When considering training office hours for the first time or for new project, please contact info@certarauniversity.com to discuss your needs prior to purchasing. Read more

Pirana AI Certification Course: Mastering Model Management and Workflow Optimization  (August-October 2025) Pricing Cost - $550 (Academia $275, Africa/India $150) Users requesting an Academic membership will only be accepted with proof of academic status by using an active academic email address. Users from Africa/India will need to provide Certara University with a copy of their government issued proof of residency.  If an email address fails to meet that standard, the individual will be notified and will not be given access to the requested membership type. Description This Pirana AI Certified course equips participants with the knowledge and skills to harness the full potential of Pirana, a powerful model management tool widely utilized in pharmacometric modeling and simulation. Participants will dive into core functionalities, advanced features, machine learning-driven model search (Pirana Darwin), and best practices for streamlining workflows, improving model organization, and integrating seamlessly with tools like RsNLME, NONMEM, R, and PsN. The course incorporates hands-on training with Pirana Darwin's machine learning capabilities.  Pirana Darwin integrates machine learning algorithms for automated model selection, equipping participants to significantly enhance model selection and evaluation processes through advanced AI-driven techniques. Through practical, hands-on training, participants will gain expertise in both Pirana and Pirana Darwin, positioning them to earn the Pirana AI Certified designation. This certification validates their ability to leverage these tools for advanced, effective model-based decision-making. Please note: This course is not an introduction to Population PK/PD modeling and does not provide instruction on the use of NONMEM. The focus is exclusively on mastering Pirana and its AI capabilities for model management and workflow optimization. Course Format, Language, and Access This course format is as a ‘Live on-line classroom’ which means that the course is delivered virtually by an expert Phoenix instructor at pre-specified times.  This format provides the benefit of the classroom setting, with real-time interaction with the instructor but without the travel.  Although live attending is encouraged, recordings of the sessions are available to participants during the length of the course. You will have access to the recordings for 3 months following the last session of the course. This course will be delivered in English. Course Dates (See Agenda Below):  Meeting Day Date (2025) Time Session 1 Monday 25 August 10am-Noon EST S1 - Hands-On Thursday 28 August 10am-Noon EST Session 2 Monday 8 September 10am-Noon EST S2 - Hands-On Thursday 11 September 10am-Noon EST Session 3 Monday 15 September 10am-Noon EST S3 - Hands-On Thursday 18 September 10am-Noon EST Session 4 Monday 22 September 10am-Noon EST S4 - Hands-On Thursday 25 September 10am-Noon EST Session 5 Monday 29 September 10am-Noon EST S5 - Hands-On Thursday 2 October 10am-Noon EST Note: There will be no classes the week of Sept 1st, 2025 Certificates: Participants who attend and pass the certification exam will receive an e-badge as Pirana AI Certified. Instructors:   James Craig, MS:  Staff Software Engineer with over 10 years of experience building scientific applications and leading cross-functional teams. He earned a Master’s in data science and analytics from the Claremont Colleges and is a maintainer of multiple R packages supporting Non-Linear Mixed Effects Modeling and pharmacometric workflows. Skilled in R, Shiny, Python, and diverse data-driven technologies. Passionate about bridging software, data science, and drug development. Keith Nieforth, PharmD.: Dr. Nieforth is the product owner for Certara’s NLME, Pirana, and Trial Simulator software solutions.  Prior to joining Certara, Keith spent over 20 years at Roche in the department of Clinical Pharmacology where he contributed to numerous projects involving PK, PK/PD, and population pharmacokinetic analyses.  While at Roche, Keith also served as the global business lead for the implementation of a clinical pharmacology data working environment, which harmonized workflow and toolsets for the organization, analysis, and reporting of clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics data across Roche sites in Switzerland, UK and USA. Keith holds a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Connecticut, and a Pharm.D. from The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.  Mark Sale, MD:  Dr. Sale has extensive experience conducting advanced pharmacometrics analyses across diverse therapeutic areas and developing novel machine learning methods to accelerate drug development. He received his M.D. from The Ohio State University and an M.A. in Biostatistics from Georgetown University. Dr. Sale completed a fellowship in clinical pharmacology at Stanford University and was an assistant professor of medicine and pharmacology at Georgetown University.  Dr. Sale is currently the Vice President of Product Management at Certara as well as a scientific advisor at RxStudio. Contact Us: For additional information, please contact us.  Read more

Pre-Conference Workshop at PAGE 2025 Price: $250 (Academic $100) Contact info@certarauniversity.com for access to the special pricing. Be prepared to offer some evidence (such as an academic email address or a student ID) that you are eligible for the discount.  Course Description This is a full day workshop that will introduce the student to machine learning PMX analyses in R using Certara’s R speaks NLME, Pirana, R-Darwin-NLME and Pirana-Darwin-NONMEM.  By the end of the course, students will be able to create a pk model in R using the PML language, fit the model, perform diagnostics including VPC, and perform simulations.  In addition, students will be given an introduction to executing a machine learning model selection analysis using Pirana Darwin.   The workshop will include lectures and hands-on exercises. Participants will be given temporary licenses to the software being used in this course (NONMEM, NLME, Pirana) to perform the hands-on exercises.  Pirana is always free for academia! Location:   Thessaloniki, Greece  (more details to be provided) Date and Time: Tuesday, 3 June 2025 from 09:00 to 17:00 We recommend waiting to finalize your travel plans until May 3, 2025, to confirm the course will proceed as scheduled. Requirements: Each participant must bring their own laptop and be familiar with the fundamental use of R software.   Course enrollments: We recommend waiting to finalize your travel plans until 3-May-2025 to ensure the course proceeds as planned. Instructors Keith Nieforth, PharmD.: Dr. Nieforth is the product owner for Certara’s NLME, Pirana, and Trial Simulator software solutions.  Prior to joining Certara, Keith spent over 20 years at Roche in the department of Clinical Pharmacology where he contributed to numerous projects involving PK, PK/PD, and population pharmacokinetic analyses.  While at Roche, Keith also served as the global business lead for the implementation of a clinical pharmacology data working environment, which harmonized workflow and toolsets for the organization, analysis, and reporting of clinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics data across Roche sites in Switzerland, UK and USA. Keith holds a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Connecticut, and a Pharm.D. from The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.  Mark Sale, MD:  Dr. Sale has extensive experience conducting advanced pharmacometrics analyses across diverse therapeutic areas and developing novel machine learning methods to accelerate drug development. He received his M.D. from The Ohio State University and an M.A. in Biostatistics from Georgetown University. Dr. Sale completed a fellowship in clinical pharmacology at Stanford University and was an assistant professor of medicine and pharmacology at Georgetown University.  Dr. Sale is currently the Vice President of Product Management at Certara as well as a scientific advisor at RxStudio.     Read more