Six months ago, Dr. DJ Patil joined the federal government as the first-ever U.S. Chief Data Scientist. This morning, he wrote a memo detailing how his team is helping federal departments and agencies to use data to benefit all Americans — in areas ranging from precision medicine to criminal justice — and to use data responsibly.

See what the Chief Data Scientist’s team has been up to, and how their work is helping the American people.

A student helps New Orleans Police Superintendent Michael Harrison write his first line of code. (Photo by Tyler Gamble of the New Orleans Police Department)