UCSF Mourns the Loss of Pioneering Scientist Atul Butte

San Francisco, CA — The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) announced with deep sadness the passing of Dr. Atul Butte, MD, PhD, a pioneering scientist whose work transformed biomedical research and health care. Dr. Butte died on June 16, 2025, leaving behind a legacy that will impact future generations.

On behalf of UCSF, Chancellor Sam Hawgood extended heartfelt condolences to Dr. Butte’s family, friends, colleagues, and students worldwide. Dr. Butte was known for his bold belief: “Once we let data flow, lifelong discoveries become possible.” As the inaugural director of the UCSF Center for Digital Health, he turned frozen data into actionable insights and advocated for the synergistic use of real doctors and big data to enhance medical practice.

His philosophy also aligned with the university’s commitment to precision health and ethical data usage. “Ideas change everything,” he emphasized in one of his TED Talks, which inspired many emerging scientists to blend clinical insights with computational techniques. Under his leadership, UCSF emerged as a global leader in artificial intelligence and translational science.

In 2024, Dr. Butte received the highest honor in biomedical informatics, highlighting his enduring impact on the field. He was also awarded the Association for Molecular Pathology’s Award for Excellence for his breakthroughs in molecular diagnostics and computational health sciences. His numerous accolades included election to the National Academy of Medicine and recognition by the Obama Administration as an Open Science Champion of Change.

At UCSF, Dr. Butte held the title of Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics. He was an advocate for responsible AI application in health care, leading efforts to utilize large language models to improve emergency department triage processes.

Beyond UCSF, Dr. Butte served as the inaugural Chief Data Scientist at UC Health and co-founded the Center for Data Integration and Innovation (CDI2), which unified data across the University of California’s six academic health centers to enhance patient care. His expertise was vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he provided data-driven insights to assist public health responses.

Recently, research conducted under CDI2’s auspices cut the timeline for critical health interventions from years to weeks, showcasing the potential of real-world clinical data. Dr. Butte’s most enduring legacy, however, may reside in the numerous individuals he mentored and motivated. He encouraged students and researchers to think critically, act with integrity, and innovate with courage.

As the UCSF community reflects on this significant loss, they also celebrate Dr. Butte’s life, marked by a commitment to merging compassion with computation. His work serves as a reminder of the transformative potential of harnessing data, medicine, and purpose for humanity. The university honors his legacy by continuing to advance equitable innovation, unfreezing valuable data, and ensuring that scientific discovery serves the broader community.

In closing, this message reflects the deep sadness felt by many, as well as the commitment to carry forward the vision that Dr. Butte steadfastly advocated.