Atul Butte Obituary-Death News; Atul Butte. Mark Zuckerberg Distinguished Professor at University of California Dies at 55
Dr. Butte, known globally for his groundbreaking work in biomedical data science, served as the Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg Distinguished Professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he was also the Director of the Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute.
A trained pediatrician, computer scientist, and entrepreneur, Dr. Butte embodied the future of medicine—one where vast amounts of biomedical data could be harnessed to transform how we understand, diagnose, and treat disease.
Born and raised in the United States, Dr. Butte showed an early affinity for both technology and human health. He earned his undergraduate degree in computer science, followed by medical and doctoral training that positioned him at the intersection of computational science and clinical practice.
Over the course of his career, he authored hundreds of scientific papers and was recognized by the National Academy of Medicine and numerous institutions for his transformative work in biomedical informatics.
Known by colleagues as a “physician-scientist-entrepreneur,” Dr. Butte was passionate about using computational tools to analyze massive datasets—from genomics to clinical records to uncover hidden patterns in disease and treatment. His mantra was simple but revolutionary: “Data is the new microscope.” He firmly believed that the answers to medicine’s biggest questions were buried in existing data, and he dedicated his life to finding them.
Beyond his professional brilliance, Atul Butte was remembered as a beloved mentor and educator. His students and colleagues speak of him as generous with his time and knowledge, always encouraging others to think bigger and reach higher. He was particularly committed to fostering the next generation of scientists and worked tirelessly to create opportunities for underrepresented students in STEM.
Dr. Butte was also a devoted family man a loving husband and proud father who treasured his time at home. Despite the demands of his research, teaching, and entrepreneurial ventures, he prioritized family dinners, vacations, and cheering on his children in their various pursuits. Friends say he carried the same compassion and attentiveness into his personal relationships that he brought to his work, always present, always listening, and always kind.
The exact cause of Dr. Butte’s death has not been publicly disclosed. His passing has sent ripples through the medical and scientific worlds, prompting tributes from universities, collaborators, former students, and tech leaders who credit him for helping shape the modern landscape of digital medicine.
Among his many accolades, Dr. Butte was recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change in Open Science, and his insights helped guide national conversations about the ethical use of biomedical data. He co-founded several biotechnology companies based on his research and played a key role in bridging academia and industry in the name of medical advancement.
In addition to his position at UCSF, Dr. Butte held roles at Stanford and UC Berkeley earlier in his career and was frequently invited to speak at global conferences. His voice was one of authority and hope in a field often overwhelmed by complexity and uncertainty.
A memorial service celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Atul Butte will be announced in the coming days. His family, in a statement, expressed their deep gratitude for the outpouring of love and support and asked that donations in his memory be made to educational foundations supporting data science, medicine, and diversity in STEM.
Dr. Atul Butte’s brilliance was matched only by his humility and humanity. He leaves behind a world far better for his presence and work, and his legacy will continue through the thousands of lives he touched—as a scientist, a mentor, a father, and a friend.
