Arizona State University (ASU) has announced the appointment of Jyotishman Pathak as the inaugural dean of the new School of Technology for Public Health, effective July 1. This new institution aims to integrate technology with public health to address urgent challenges on local, national, and global levels. Pathak’s extensive background in biomedical informatics and population health sciences positions him as a key figure in leading this innovative initiative. The significance of this endeavor cannot be understated, as it represents a fusion of digital technology and data-driven decision-making within public health, offering a solution-oriented approach to contemporary health issues.
A Visionary Leader for a Pioneering Institution
Jyotishman Pathak is an internationally renowned leader in biomedical informatics and population health sciences. His new role involves building and launching the first-of-its-kind School of Technology for Public Health at ASU. This school, a part of ASU Health, aims to leverage the power of technology to tackle urgent public health challenges on multiple levels. The institution is designed to blend digital technology, data-driven decision-making, and a significant local impact focus within the field of public health, making it a key player in future health solutions. The bold ambition of this school is to develop a technologically advanced workforce competent to drive the field of public health forward.
The school is preparing to welcome its inaugural batch of students in fall 2025 as part of the Master of Public Health and Master of Public Health Technology programs. This initiative reflects ASU’s commitment to innovation and excellence in public health education. Pathak’s leadership will play a crucial role in guiding these programs, ensuring that students are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to make meaningful impacts in their respective fields. His vision aligns with that of ASU’s broader mission, fostering an environment where cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions can flourish.
Building the Foundation: Consultations and Collaborations
The development of this pioneering school involved consultations with prominent industry leaders to identify the crucial needs within public health. This meticulous process was co-chaired by Dr. Susan Blumenthal, a retired rear admiral and former U.S. assistant surgeon general, and Sir Malcolm Grant, chancellor of the University of York and founding chairman of England’s National Health Service. Their combined expertise and vast experience helped shape the vision and goals of the school, ensuring a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to public health challenges.
ASU’s Executive Vice President and University Provost Nancy Gonzales lauded Pathak as an ideal candidate to lead the new school due to his impressive track record in melding technology and public health in innovative ways. Gonzales highlighted Pathak’s leadership in a highly productive and well-funded research program that utilizes medical informatics and digital health technologies, including artificial intelligence. This approach has been pivotal in designing and implementing solutions to a wide array of critical health issues, ranging from mental health to chronic disease management. Pathak’s ability to innovate and drive impactful research underscores his suitability for this pivotal role.
Pathak’s Extensive Credentials and Accomplishments
Pathak’s accomplishments are extensive and impressive, underscoring his suitability for the role of dean. He is currently the Frances & John L. Loeb Professor of Medical Informatics, professor of health care policy and research in psychiatry, chief of the Division of Health Informatics, and vice chair for entrepreneurship in the Department of Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. His research primarily focuses on analyzing electronic health records, insurance claims, and social determinants of health data to study mental health service utilization and treatment outcomes related to depression, substance use, and suicide. His work has garnered support from numerous prestigious organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, the National Science Foundation, and the American Heart Association.
Additionally, Pathak co-founded a mental health startup, Iris OB Health Inc., which is dedicated to developing digital health solutions for managing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. This combination of expertise in medicine, informatics, and population health sciences has significantly influenced his decision to accept the role at ASU. Pathak has emphasized his excitement about collaborating with ASU’s faculty, students, staff, and the broader community to reimagine and advance public health infrastructure, education, and research. His extensive contributions to the field include authoring over 275 peer-reviewed publications, multiple book chapters, and invited editorials, along with publishing a book on genomic and clinical data sharing.
Pathak’s Vision for the Future of Public Health at ASU
In 2023, Pathak was selected by the U.S. secretary of health and human services to join the National Advisory Mental Health Council, where he offers advice to the director of the National Institute of Mental Health. Among his myriad accolades, Pathak has received awards from the American Medical Informatics Association, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Heart Association, IBM Research, and Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar for his research excellence, teaching, and mentorship. His vision for the future of public health at ASU is to harness technological advances and innovative research methodologies to address and solve pressing health issues.
He aims to create an educational environment that fosters collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving, equipping students with the skills necessary to navigate and impact the ever-evolving field of public health. Pathak’s track record as a scholar, entrepreneur, and leader, coupled with his administrative talents, makes him well-suited to advance the vision of the School of Technology for Public Health. He aspires to cultivate a new generation of public health professionals who are adept at utilizing technology to improve health outcomes on a global scale.
A New Chapter for ASU and Public Health
Arizona State University (ASU) has named Jyotishman Pathak as the first dean of the newly established School of Technology for Public Health, starting on July 1. This innovative school is dedicated to blending technology with public health efforts to tackle pressing issues at local, national, and global levels. Pathak’s robust experience in biomedical informatics and population health sciences makes him an ideal leader for this groundbreaking initiative. The importance of this project is immense, as it represents a significant merger of digital technology and data-informed decision-making in the public health sector, promoting a forward-thinking approach to today’s health challenges. This pioneering school aims to harness the power of digital advancements to improve health outcomes, providing a model for how technology can be utilized for public well-being. By leveraging tools such as big data, machine learning, and digital platforms, the school seeks to transform the public health landscape, addressing problems more efficiently and effectively.
