Future: Bioinformatics

Prof. David Haussler is a Distinguished Professor of Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Scientific Director of the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute.

Prof. Haussler posted the first draft of the human genome sequence on the Internet and developed the UCSC Genome Browser, used worldwide for interpreting genome sequences. The browser includes tools for identifying and comparing genes, for accessing information on gene structure, function, and regulation, and for revealing relationships of genes and gene products to disease.

Prof. Haussler introduced machine-learning techniques into bioinformatics, which have become a central paradigm in the field.

Prof. Haussler also established the practice of sharing genomic information without restriction, and has been entrusted by NIH with management of its data and computer programs for both the scientific and medical communities.

Prof. Haussler is the co-founder of the Global Alliance for Genomics Health, an international coalition dedicated to improving human health by maximizing the potential of genomic medicine through effective and responsible data sharing, and as co-leader of its Data Working Group, he is determined to facilitate deeper use of genomics worldwide for cancer and other diseases.

Prof. Haussler is the recipient of numerous awards including the Innovations in Networking Award, the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California, Cenic (2013), the Weldon Memorial Prize, University of Oxford (2011), the Curt Stern Award, American Society of Human Genetics (2009), Fellow, International Society for Computational Biology (2009), Senior Scientist Accomplishment Award, International Society for Computational Biology (2008), Member, National Academy of Sciences (2006), Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2006), Dickson Prize in Science, Carnegie Mellon University (2005), and the World Technology Network Award, IT Software Category (2005), Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, University of Colorado, Boulder (2005), Allen Newell Award, Association for Computing Machinery and the American Association for Artificial Intelligence (2004), Distinguished Scientist of the Year Award Clinical Ligand Assay Society (2003), Tech Award Laureate, San Jose Tech Museum of Innovation (2003), Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science ( (2002), Fellow, California Academy of Sciences (2001), and Fellow, American Association of Artificial Intelligence (1992).