About the DSI

Our mission at the Data Science Institute (DSI) is to enable excellence in data science research and applications across LLNL's core missions. We're building community, igniting innovative research, and providing strategic workforce development for LLNL’s emerging and critical data science discipline.

Data science has become an essential discipline paving the path of LLNL's key program areas, and the Laboratory is home to some of the largest, most unique, and most interesting data and supercomputers in the world. Programmatic work has benefitted from multimodal data analysis, data processing, outcome predictions, simulation, and experimental validation.

We founded the DSI in early 2018 to facilitate mission-driven data science through a cohesive vision, increased collaboration, and targeted outreach and recruiting. The DSI acts as the central hub for all data science activity—in areas of artificial intelligence, big-data analytics, computer vision, machine learning, predictive modeling, statistical inference, uncertainty quantification, and more—at LLNL. The DSI has made a significant impact on the data science community, both internally and externally, by building relationships between LLNL programs, staff, and academic partners. From the outset, we have endeavored to establish and promote LLNL’s strategic vision in data science while combining collective expertise into a thriving community.

This coordination has roots in an earlier initiative. In 2013, LLNL launched the Data Science Initiative to align national security priorities with high-performance computing capabilities and big data applications. The Initiative provided a focal point for advancing data science technologies for LLNL’s unique scientific challenges. Over time, data science techniques became woven into LLNL programs, though the need remained to develop and sustain the workforce in this field. The Initiative transitioned into the Institute to adapt to the rapid pace of research and LLNL’s growing portfolio.

The field of data science moves quickly. In a range of scientific research areas and through community-building objectives, the DSI is poised to advance LLNL’s mission for years to come. We are honored to be part of this exciting initiative and to extend a warm welcome to current and future collaborators. Learn more about our vision:

Brian Giera
Brian Giera, DSI director 2023–present
Cindy Gonzales
Cindy Gonzales, DSI deputy director 2023–present
Michael Goldman
Michael Goldman, DSI director 2018–2023