Russ B. Altman, M.D., Ph.D. Closed Now

Dr. Russ B. Altman is an internationally recognized physician–scientist and informatician whose work bridges biomedical data science, pharmacogenomics, and health data systems. He is best known for his groundbreaking research in using computational approaches and artificial intelligence (AI) to understand drug responses, genetic variability, and clinical decision support.

Dr. Altman is the Kenneth Fong Professor of Bioengineering, Genetics, Medicine, Biomedical Data Science, and (by courtesy) Computer Science at Stanford University. He also co-leads the Stanford Center for Biomedical Informatics Research (BMIR), one of the top institutions driving innovation in clinical informatics and health IT worldwide.

His research has advanced the understanding of how genetic differences influence drug efficacy and safety, pioneering the field of pharmacogenomics. By developing computational models that integrate electronic health records (EHRs), genomic data, and machine learning algorithms, Dr. Altman has provided tools for personalized medicine and improved clinical decision-making.

Dr. Altman also has a strong presence in the academic publishing and editorial sphere. He served as a past president of the International Society for Computational Biology (ISCB) and has contributed to numerous National Academy of Medicine committees, where he has influenced U.S. policy on health data interoperability and the ethical use of AI in medicine.

In addition to his scientific contributions, Dr. Altman is well known for his ability to communicate complex health data science concepts to the broader public. He hosts the popular “The Future of Everything” podcast on SiriusXM, where he discusses how science and technology, particularly health informatics and AI, will shape the future of healthcare