Karima Lalani, PhD, MBA, FACHE, RHIA

Associate Professor

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Department of Clinical and Health Informatics

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Contact

[email protected]

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ORCID

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Dr. Karima Lalani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical and Health Informatics at UTHealth Houston and leads Community Development initiatives for the Center for Behavioral Emergency and Addiction Research (CBEAR). She also chairs the Research Community of Practice (CoP) for the International Federation of Health Information Management Associations (IFHIMA).

A multidisciplinary leader, educator, and strategist operating at the intersection of healthcare, education, and technology, Dr. Lalani brings more than 15 years of experience spanning academia, industry, and workforce development. Prior to joining UTHealth Houston, she served as Associate Teaching Professor and Director of the Health Informatics and Health Information Management programs at the University of Washington School of Public Health in Seattle. In recognition of her contributions to global engagement and workforce development, she was named a Finalist for the University of Washington's 2024-2025 Global Engagement Excellence Award.

Dr. Lalani's research focuses on workforce readiness, applied health informatics, and the use of emerging technologies to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. She has authored or co-authored more than 25 peer-reviewed publications in journals including Health Information Management Journal, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, and JMIR Medical Education. She is also co-editor, with Dr. James Langabeer, of the best-selling AI-Driven Innovations in Healthcare: Best Practices and Case Studies (Routledge, 2025), and the upcoming book Digital Healthcare Leadership: Using AI and Technology to Transform Health Organizations (Routledge Press).

Dr. Lalani is deeply committed to advancing the health informatics workforce through research, education, and professional development initiatives. Dr. Lalani earned her PhD in Health Policy and Management from the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA).

• Tell us about your research center and/or what research/work you are currently working on?
  At CBEAR, we explore how emerging technologies can be applied in behavioral health to improve outcomes and save lives. I also conduct research and publish on health informatics workforce development and career readiness.
• What type of student or Postdoctoral Fellow are you looking for to work in your center?
  We welcome students and postdoctoral fellows who are passionate about applying informatics, data, and technology to improve patient care and health outcomes.
• What does the future of your research look like?
  My research focuses on advancing digital health solutions while ensuring the healthcare workforce is prepared to thrive in a rapidly evolving informatics landscape.
• What does the future of informatics look like?
  The future of informatics lies in the responsible use of AI and emerging technologies to enhance decision-making, improve population health, and deliver more effective, patient-centered care.