Christopher Lindsell, PhD, Appointed Vice Dean for Data Science and AI

I am pleased to announce that Christopher Lindsell, PhD, has been appointed vice dean for Data Science and AI for the Duke University School of Medicine, effective April 1, 2026.

A nationally recognized biostatistician and clinical trials methodologist, Dr. Lindsell was occupying a leadership role in data science at Vanderbilt University when he was recruited in 2023 to serve as director of Data Science and Biostatistics for the Duke Clinical Research Institute. Following this transition, he has provided leadership at Duke, including previously serving as co-chief of the Division of Biostatistics for the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics. He remains co-principal investigator for Duke’s Clinical and Translational Science Award grant from the National Institutes of Health and director of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics for the Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute. He is a professor in the Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics and serves as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science. His portfolio of research interests spans learning health systems, multi‑site clinical research networks, and the application of AI, machine learning, and other data science methods to improving clinical research and patient care. 

As vice dean for Data Science and AI, Dr. Lindsell will lead the strategy, execution, and governance of AI and data science across the School of Medicine while collaborating closely with key partners in the Duke University Health System and the university. His immediate priorities include advancing a unified strategy for AI research, education, and workforce training, as well as building multidisciplinary teams, coordinating platform development and oversight, and accelerating our learning health system to ensure that discovery, clinical decision‑making, and operations at Duke are informed by the highest-quality data possible. 

Dr. Lindsell’s appointment follows a six-month review led by the Duke Health IT Governance Committee, which engaged an extensive group of stakeholders from across Duke Health’s clinical, research, operational, and educational communities and campus partners. I am grateful for the broad participation and robust discussions that took place as part of this review, which also revealed the exciting breadth of activity and expertise at Duke. This process greatly facilitated the identification of the right leader to accelerate our work in a continually evolving domain while ensuring that it aligns with our enterprise approach to evaluating and governing the implementation of AI applications. 

This is a two‑year appointment designed to allow the institution to remain agile while the landscape of AI continues to undergo rapid change. During this period, Dr. Lindsell will lead the implementation of durable practices and investments that allow us to deploy AI deliberately and responsibly in health care, research, and education.

I want to thank the members of the Duke Health IT Governance Committee and the many clinicians, investigators, educators, and operational partners who contributed their thoughtful input to this review through interviews and consultations.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Lindsell to this position. With his leadership, we will translate Duke’s strengths in data science and AI into practical advances that accelerate discovery, improve care, and enhance learning across the School of Medicine and Duke Health.

Sincerely,

Mary E. Klotman, MD
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Duke University
Dean, Duke University School of Medicine
Chief Academic Officer, Duke Health