Andrea Norris
About Andrea Norris
Andrea Norris serves as the Director of the Center for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at the National Institutes of Health, where she has worked since 2011. She is recognized for her leadership in cybersecurity and data science initiatives that support biomedical research and has a strong background in information systems management.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Andrea Norris has served as the Director of the Center for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) since 2011. In this role, she oversees a technology portfolio valued at $1.2 billion, which supports scientific research and discovery across 27 national research institutes and 300,000 researchers at over 2,500 universities and medical centers in the United States. Norris is responsible for NIH’s Cybersecurity Program, successfully reducing more than 90,000 high-risk vulnerabilities on over 2,600 public-facing sites to zero. She has also implemented a high-speed network capable of transmitting up to 8 Petabytes of data daily across 100 labs, enhancing global collaboration among researchers.
Previous Experience at NASA
Before her tenure at NIH, Andrea Norris worked at NASA as the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Management from 1990 to 2001. During her 11 years at NASA, she played a key role in the implementation of a new supercomputing facility, which was recognized as the most powerful supercomputer dedicated to advancing biomedical research. Her experience at NASA contributed to her expertise in managing large-scale technology initiatives and enhancing data security protocols.
Education and Expertise
Andrea Norris holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Information Systems Management from The George Washington University - School of Business, where she studied from 1983 to 1988. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics from the College of William and Mary, studying there from 1977 to 1982. Her educational background has equipped her with a strong foundation in both business management and technical expertise, enabling her to lead significant advancements in data security and biomedical research infrastructure.
Achievements in Data Security and Research Initiatives
Norris is recognized as a national expert in her field, contributing to significant advancements in data security and biomedical research infrastructure. She has championed NIH’s first Data Science Strategic Plan and a national data science initiative aimed at establishing innovative public-private partnerships. Additionally, she served on the White House-led team that formulated the first Precision Medicine Initiatives Data Security Policy Principles and Framework, showcasing her influence in shaping national policies related to data security in biomedical research.
Career at Booz Allen Hamilton
Prior to her roles at NASA and NIH, Andrea Norris worked at Booz Allen Hamilton as an Associate from 1984 to 1990. During her six years there, she gained valuable experience in consulting and technology management, which laid the groundwork for her future leadership positions in government and research institutions.