Dr. Akbar K. Waljee is a gastroenterologist and data scientist at the University of Michigan and serves as the Leslie D. Yamada and Tachi Yamada M.D. Director of the University of Michigan Center for Global Health Equity. As of 2025, he holds positions including Assistant Dean for Global Health Research and Lyle C. Roll Professor in several departments. He is recognized for his use of AI and machine learning in healthcare, particularly in resource-limited settings. Clinically, he works at Michigan Medicine and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, directing the Inflammatory Bowel Disease clinic and specializing in conditions like Crohn’s disease and liver disorders. His research involves using predictive modeling for personalized “precision care” in gastrointestinal and liver diseases. Dr. Waljee leads research efforts such as the Michigan Integrated Center for Health Analytics and Medical Prediction (MiCHAMP) and collaborates on AI projects for cancer diagnosis in Kenya. His background from Nairobi, Kenya, informs his focus on global health equity and data-driven health systems in low-resource environments. He obtained his medical degree from Emory University and completed training at the University of Michigan, joining the faculty in 2009. Additional information is available on his University of Michigan Medical School profile.
