INDIANAPOLIS – Jiang Bian, PhD, a highly respected, nationally recognized artificial intelligence expert and data scientist, has been named to key leadership positions at Regenstrief Institute (Regenstrief), Indiana University (IU) and Indiana University Health.
Dr. Bian will be the first to hold the newly established Walther and Regenstrief Endowed Chair in Cancer Informatics. He also will serve as chief data scientist at Regenstrief and separately as chief data scientist at IU Health, associate dean of data science and vice chair for translational informatics in the Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science at the IU School of Medicine, chief research information officer of the IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) Regenstrief Institute Deputy Director. Dr. Bian will also be a research investigator within the Center for Biomedical Informatics at Regenstrief Institute.
His tenure will commence on February 1, 2025. He joins a cadre of highly productive researchers and clinicians in the burgeoning fields of bioinformatics, data science, biostatistics and cancer research.
“I am honored to be selected to this synergistic intersection of roles across this enterprise – across Regenstrief, IU and IU Health – to carry out the critical mission of continuously advancing technology to serve the dedicated array of clinicians, researchers and the communities engaging in the prevention and treatment of the many diseases facing patients and their families,” said Dr. Bian. “The clinicians and researchers with these organizations are well known for their innovative research and their expertise caring for patients and their families. I look forward to collaborating with local, national and international partners and other stakeholders in pursuit of the exigent goal of addressing the growing healthcare challenges impacting more people and populations with each advancing decade.”
Dr. Bian’s work focuses on developing strategies, building infrastructures and creating tools – including building and implementing software – to facilitate new methods and ways to manage big data in support of researchers, clinicians and policymakers in the pursuit of better health for individuals and populations.
“We are incredibly excited for Dr. Bian’s arrival and leadership of the strategic technical direction, development and implementation of research-based data science initiatives aligned with Regenstrief and the IU enterprise. Dr. Bian will lead data science strategy for Regenstrief Data Services and support our role as the informatics research front door for investigators accessing the Indiana Network for Patient Care database and other research data needs,” said Regenstrief President and Chief Executive Officer Rachel Patzer, PhD, MPH.
“We look forward to Dr. Bian’s expertise in leading our efforts to analyze ‘big data’ to make a real difference in peoples’ lives,” said Kelvin Lee, M.D., director of the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. “By harnessing the power of informatics, we’ll be able to identify those at risk of developing cancer, optimize prevention and detection, improve outcomes, and identify the most effective treatments for people.”
“Dr. Bian’s role as vice chair is pivotal as we navigate the intricate landscape of research informatics across our enterprise and the health systems, including IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Regenstrief and IU Health,” said Kun Huang, PhD, chair of the Department of Biostatistics and Health Data Science at the IU School of Medicine and the IU Indianapolis Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health and a researcher in the Center for Biomedical Informatics at Regenstrief. “Data is more than numbers — it transforms the aggregate into insights that guide groundbreaking research and innovative treatments. I whole-heartedly welcome Dr. Bian’s leadership for our collaborative efforts to harness data for meaningful discoveries to advance care and improve patient outcomes.”
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Jiang Bian contribute to the work and his skills will be invaluable in leveraging data-driven insights to improve patient care and lead research innovation across the system. His impressive contributions to biomedical research, particularly through innovative solutions to complex health challenges, align perfectly with our strategic goals and vision to make Indiana one of the healthiest states in the nation,” said Erin Lewis, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, IU Health.
Dr. Bian currently serves as the chief data scientist and chief research information officer for University of Florida (UF) Health, director of the Biomedical Informatics Program for the UF CTSI, the division chief of Biomedical Informatics, as well as chief data scientist for the UF Health Cancer Center and the OneFlorida+ Clinical Research Consortium.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Tongji University in Shanghai, China, and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 2024 he will be inducted as a fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics (ACMI), an honor accorded to individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to the field of biomedical informatics.
The Walther and Regenstrief Endowed Chair in Cancer Informatics was created through generous gifts from the Walther Cancer Foundation Inc. and the Regenstrief Foundation Inc.
