It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Atul Butte, Director of the Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute and the Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Distinguished Professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Butte passed away on June 13, 2025, at the age of 55.
Dr. Butte was a pioneering figure in the fields of bioinformatics, health informatics, and precision medicine. He was instrumental in developing computational tools that transformed vast datasets into actionable insights, significantly advancing our understanding of complex diseases. His work not only bridged the gap between data science and clinical practice but also laid the foundation for many of the data-driven approaches now central to modern medicine.
As Chief Data Scientist for the University of California Health System, Dr. Butte oversaw the integration of electronic health records across multiple campuses, facilitating large-scale research initiatives aimed at improving patient care. His leadership extended beyond academia; he co-founded several biotech companies, including Personalis, Carmenta, and NuMedii, which have made significant contributions to genomic medicine and drug discovery.
A recipient of numerous accolades, Dr. Butte was elected to the National Academy of Medicine and recognized by the Obama Administration as a White House Champion of Change for his commitment to open science. His legacy is also marked by his dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists and his unwavering generosity of spirit.
Dr. Butte’s passing is an immense loss to the scientific community. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the fields of genomics and data science, and his influence will continue to inspire future generations of researchers and clinicians.
He is survived by his family, colleagues, and countless individuals whose lives and careers he touched. A memorial service and details regarding tributes will be announced in the coming days.
