Asif Ali M.D.
Director
Asif Ali, MD is a practicing cardiologist and partner at Houston Cardiology Consultants in Houston. He serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at McGovern Medical School (UTHealth) and the University of Houston College of Medicine. Through the American Heart Association’s Center for Health Technology & Innovation, he is a Health Tech Advisory Group member, leads the Health Technology Business Team, and serves on the AHA AI Task Force (co‑leading the “AI in Practice” subgroup). Dr. Ali directs the Cena Research Institute and advises digital health and medtech companies, including Tabia Health (CMO), FirstHx (Managing Director, US), and Avive AED (Chief Medical Advisor). He led AHA‑cited work validating cuffless blood pressure tech (Valencell) and co‑authored a 2024 AI/ML primer in the journal Hypertension.
Detailed Biography
Dr. Asif Ali, MD
Cardiologist | Academic Leader | Med-Tech Innovator
Dr. Asif Ali, MD, is a cardiologist, academic leader, and med-tech innovator based in Houston, Texas. As a Clinical Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at The University of Texas Medical School and the University of Houston Medical School, Dr. Ali blends his academic and clinical expertise with innovation to advance cardiovascular medicine and health technology.
Dr. Ali is a partner at Houston Cardiology Consultants and the founder and director of the Cena Research Institute. Since its inception in 2014, Cena Research has focused on bridging gaps in clinical trials, ensuring inclusivity, and addressing healthcare disparities for underserved populations.
A native Houstonian, Dr. Ali earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Trinity University in San Antonio before completing his MD at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. He further specialized with an Internal Medicine Residency and a Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship, including a subspecialty in Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging.
In addition to his academic and clinical roles, Dr. Ali serves in several leadership positions:
* Chief Medical Officer, Chief of Education, and Chief of Cardiology at Houston-area hospitals
* Member of the Health Technology Advisory Group of the American Heart Association (AHA)
* Member of the AI, Digital Wearable, and Cardiovascular Metabolic Renal Committee within the AHA
* Advisor to the AHA’s Center for Health Technology and Innovation
Dr. Ali is a recognized thought leader in cardiovascular medicine. His academic contributions include:
* Authoring medical textbooks with McGraw Hill International
* Writing for UpToDate
* Publishing numerous peer-reviewed articles on cardiovascular disease and prevention
Dr. Ali’s expertise has been featured on national platforms such as The Dr. Oz Show, Bill of Health on Channel 8, FOX News, and local Houston-based outlets.
Beyond academia and clinical practice, Dr. Ali is deeply involved in the med-tech space, advising national startups and serving on the board of the Texas Collaboration Center. As an alternate delegate for the Texas Medical Association, he actively advocates for innovative healthcare solutions.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Ali enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. His passions include ranching, traveling, and exploring the great outdoors.