Dr. Atul Janardhan Butte, sadly passed away at the age of 55

It is with profound sadness that the global medical and scientific communities mourn the passing of Dr. Atul Janardhan Butte, who died unexpectedly on June 13, 2025, at the age of 55. A pioneering force in biomedical informatics, healthcare innovation, and data science, Dr. Butte’s sudden death has left a void in academia, medicine, and technology. A brilliant mind, compassionate mentor, and dedicated family man, Dr. Butte leaves behind a legacy that will continue to influence generations to come.

A Trailblazer in Precision Medicine and Biomedical Informatics

Dr. Atul Butte served as the Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Distinguished Professor and the inaugural director of the Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He was also the Chief Data Scientist for the entire University of California Health System, a position that allowed him to influence the care of millions of patients across multiple institutions. His groundbreaking work helped shape the future of precision medicine by leveraging big data to better understand human biology, disease mechanisms, and treatment outcomes.

Before joining UCSF, Dr. Butte was a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he led cutting-edge research in bioinformatics and computational biology. His career was marked by a deep passion for innovation and a belief in the transformative power of data. He was widely regarded as a thought leader who brought clarity, creativity, and compassion to some of the most complex challenges in healthcare.

A Prolific Academic and Respected Scientist

Dr. Butte earned his undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Brown University, followed by an MD from Brown’s medical school and a Ph.D. from the Harvard–MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology. His academic journey combined technical excellence with clinical insight, allowing him to bridge the gap between computational science and patient care.

He authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, and his scientific influence is reflected in his h-index of over 110, a rare achievement that speaks to the lasting impact of his work. His research focused on re-mining publicly available genomic data to uncover novel biomarkers, repurpose existing drugs, and reveal new disease mechanisms. His lab’s studies were frequently published in top journals such as Nature, Science, PNAS, and Science Translational Medicine.

In 2015, he was elected to the prestigious National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honors in the field of health and medicine. He was also a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB).

A Visionary Entrepreneur

In addition to his academic success, Dr. Butte was an accomplished entrepreneur. He founded several startups, including NuMedii, a company that uses artificial intelligence to match drugs with diseases, and Personalis, a provider of advanced genomics services for precision medicine. These ventures demonstrated his commitment to transforming research into real-world solutions and improving patient outcomes through innovation.

His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to public good exemplified a rare blend of science, business acumen, and humanitarianism. He often encouraged young scientists to think boldly and pursue ideas that could scale beyond the lab bench and into clinical practice.

A Beloved Mentor, Colleague, and Friend

Perhaps more than anything, Dr. Atul Butte will be remembered for his generosity of spirit, boundless enthusiasm, and deep commitment to mentorship. He was known for his signature exclamation—“Wow!”—which reflected his joy in discovery, connection, and learning. He inspired countless students, postdocs, colleagues, and collaborators around the world.

Dr. Euan Ashley, a fellow Stanford professor, described him as a “giant” in the field:

“Atul Butte died yesterday. The world lost a giant. A big bear of a man. With a huge smile… energy that could power a room… I loved his love of data… his talks were legendary…”

His ability to make complex science understandable—and even exciting—was one of his greatest gifts. He connected deeply with people, both personally and professionally, and believed strongly in making data and knowledge accessible to all.

A Deeply Devoted Family Man

Dr. Butte was not only a leader in his professional life but also a loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Gini Deshpande, herself a respected scientist and entrepreneur, and their daughter, who was the center of his world. His family, friends, and colleagues describe him as a man of integrity, humility, and profound kindness. He spoke often of his love for his family and the importance of balance, compassion, and purpose in both work and life.

Honoring a Legacy That Transformed Lives

As we remember the life and legacy of Dr. Atul J. Butte, we honor not only the incredible work he accomplished but also the lives he touched with his generosity, intellect, and vision. His commitment to advancing biomedical research, training the next generation of leaders, and improving patient care through data will continue to inspire.

In this time of sorrow, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, students, and the many communities around the world who mourn his loss. Memorials and tributes have begun pouring in from around the globe, highlighting the breadth of his influence and the depth of the respect he earned.

Final Thoughts

The sudden death of Dr. Atul Butte is a devastating loss to the world of science and medicine. But in his memory, we find hope—in the students he mentored, the discoveries he made possible, the patients whose lives will be improved because of his work, and the enduring values he embodied.

May his life remind us all of the power of curiosity, the importance of service, and the lasting impact of kindness. Rest in peace, Dr. Atul J. Butte. You may be gone, but your legacy will illuminate the future of medicine for decades to come.