Professor
UCLA Center for Advanced Surgical & Interventional Technology (CASIT)
Prof. Bijan Najafi
Prof. Bijan Najafi is a bioengineer and digital health researcher dedicated to advancing healthcare equity through decentralized models of care. He serves as a tenured Professor of Surgery and Research Director at the UCLA Center for Advanced Surgical & Interventional Technology (CASIT), where his work focuses on developing and validating telehealth platforms, wearable technologies, and data-driven care models to enhance access and personalize treatment for conditions such as dementia, diabetes, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, cancer, rare diseases, and infections.
Prof. Najafi leads the National Science Foundation Industry–University Cooperative Research Center for Care in Place (C2SHIP), a multi-institutional initiative uniting academic, clinical, and industry partners to accelerate the adoption of technologies that support care beyond traditional clinical settings.
With over 300 peer-reviewed publications, 20 patents, and involvement in more than 80 funded research projects totaling over $100 million, Prof. Najafi’s work bridges innovation and implementation. He has contributed to the successful development and commercialization of multiple remote patient monitoring solutions and co-founded a digital health startup. He has mentored over 300 early-career researchers and remains committed to fostering inclusive excellence in digital health research.
In addition to his research leadership, Prof. Najafi serves on editorial boards, national and international grant review panels, and regularly mentors visiting scholars. He is a Federal Advisory Committee member for the Department of Veterans Affairs Scientific Merit Review Board Subcommittee on Chronic Medical Conditions & Aging. In recognition of his contributions to digital health innovation, he was inducted into the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows in 2023.
