About Dr. Asif Ali
Clinician. Researcher. Innovator. Doctorpreneur.
Dr. Asif Ali is a cardiologist, clinical investigator, and physician-innovator who works across tiers—from underserved patients to health systems, from academic research to AI startups.
Based in Houston and operating within the Texas Medical Center ecosystem, he blends hands-on care with clinical research and health-tech leadership.
Dr. Asif Ali is a Houston-based cardiologist and nationally recognized leader at the intersection of clinical care, academic research, and digital health innovation. He is a partner at Houston Cardiology Consultants and the founder of the Cena Research Institute, where he advances inclusive clinical trials and rigorous validation of emerging technologies.
In academia, Dr. Ali serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at both McGovern Medical School and the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine at the University of Houston, where he mentors the next generation of physicians and scientists. He is also an active member of the American Heart Association's Health Tech Advisory Group, co-leading initiatives in artificial intelligence, remote monitoring, and virtual care.
Beyond academia, Dr. Ali is the Chief Medical Officer of Modi Ventures, where he leads strategy on the commercialization of novel health technologies, guiding innovations from scientific validation to market adoption. As a strategic advisor and fractional CMO to more than 15 health-tech ventures, he is widely recognized for translating medical rigor into scalable, human-centered solutions that bridge patient care, science, and industry.
"I became a physician to listen. Over time, I realized that listening isn't just clinical—it's structural, systemic, and scientific. Whether it's a patient whose symptoms have been dismissed, a startup struggling to connect with real-world workflows, or a research protocol that doesn't reflect the people it aims to serve—I step in to translate. That's my work. That's my calling. To connect the evidence with the empathy, and ensure medicine moves forward with integrity."
— Dr. Asif Ali
Houston Cardiology Consultants
Partner & Practicing Cardiologist
2011 – Present
Precision cardiovascular diagnostics, preventive medicine, and complex care for dysautonomia and post-COVID syndromes.
Cena Research Institute
Founder & Medical Director
2023 – Present
Leading community-embedded trials and inclusive research in digital health, autonomic care, and cardiovascular disease.
Cena Ventures
Chief Consultant & Advisor
2005 – Present
Strategic advisory for more than 15 med-tech companies—clinical trial design, regulatory pathways, go-to-market.
McGovern Medical School / University of Houston
Clinical Assistant Professor
2010–2021, 2024–Present
Educator and mentor for medical students and residents in cardiovascular medicine.
American Heart Association
Member, Health Tech Advisory Group
2023 – Present
Focus on AI, remote patient monitoring, and cardiac rehab innovation.