The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is pleased to announce the release of the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan for Data Science which sets a bold vision for the future of data science at the NIH. 

Significant advances in data science have been made since the initial NIH Strategic Plan for Data Science, released in 2018. This updated 2025-2030 NIH Strategic Plan for Data Science builds on those accomplishments and collaborations across the NIH and with other partners in academia, industry, and philanthropy under the initial NIH Strategic Plan for Data Science, as well as input from the data science community to address challenges and opportunities going forward. 

This Strategic Plan sets five goals that prepare NIH to navigate the evolving technology landscape, address the rapid rise in the quantity and diversity of data, and bridge new data to existing knowledge — ultimately supporting data-driven discovery that will improve health for all. 

Read the 2025-2030 Strategic Plan for Data Science. 

Susan K. Gregurick, Ph.D., Associate Director for Data Science at NIH and Director of the Office of Data Science Strategy, recently shared some insights about Artificial Intelligence’s (AI) immense potential for solving complex biomedical problems. Dr. Gregurick highlighted recent breakthroughs biomedical research and well as challenges in using AI. She also underscored how important it is for science communicators to understand AI’s potential and limitations, and outlined three principles for communicating about AI in biomedical research to help ensure its ethical use.

Read the full story: Public Trust in Biomedical Research in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Challenges

Two Office of Data Science Strategy (ODSS)-National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) collaborative efforts have been highlighted in the December 2024 Environmental Factor. The Environmental Factor is a monthly news publication produced by NIEHS.

Data science infrastructure fuels biomedical research 

Susan Gregurick, Ph.D., NIH Associate Director for Data Science and ODSS Director, was recently hosted by NIEHS Director Rick Woychik, Ph.D., to deliver remarks about data and AI at NIH. 

The lecture focused on data management, sharing, and artificial intelligence resources for researchers at NIEHS and other institutes. Dr. Gregurick also highlighted the value of partnership and workforce development. 

Learn more about these remarks and data resources, read the full story.

New conference breaks ground on developing common data elements for data collection

The first Myositis Common Data Elements Consensus Conference took place at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) on November 14. Researchers discussed the development of common data elements (CDEs) for studying myositis, a group of rare autoimmune diseases involving chronic muscle inflammation.

Belinda Seto, Ph.D., ODSS Deputy Director, was a participant in this conference of international experts. ODSS was tasked by Congress to support development of CDEs in disease areas where they currently do not exist, such as autoimmune diseases. During the conference, Dr. Seto highlighted the importance of incorporating patient input in the data collection process. 

Learn more about this conference, read the full story.