Tapan Mehta

Tapan Mehta is a tenured Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He also holds appointments in the School of Health Professions - Health Services Administration and multiple research centers including the Comprehensive Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, Bone and Autoimmunity Center (CAMBAC), Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), and Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education (COERE). His research spans health services, biostatistics, and data analytics with a focus on obesity, cardiometabolic conditions, disability, and rehabilitation.

Dr. Mehta earned his PhD in Biostatistics and Masters in Electrical Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His educational background combines engineering principles with statistical methodology, providing a unique foundation for his research in health services and outcomes.

His research interests center on health services and outcomes research related to cardiometabolic conditions (diabetes and obesity), disability, and rehabilitation. He specializes in pragmatic study design application and development, population health initiatives, and analytics for large datasets. His work often involves developing and testing interventions for weight management, diabetes care, and physical activity promotion in diverse populations, including those with mobility disabilities. He has particular expertise in telehealth interventions, adaptive trial designs, and analyzing large existing datasets to answer critical health services questions.

Analysis of Dr. Mehta's recent publications reveals a strong focus on adaptive intervention strategies for obesity and cardiometabolic conditions, telehealth delivery of care for people with disabilities, and innovative methods for improving healthcare quality. His work spans clinical trials, machine learning applications, and qualitative studies to understand patient experiences. A consistent theme across his research is the development of personalized, accessible interventions that can be implemented in real-world settings, particularly for underserved populations.

• Creativity is a Decision Faculty Contest Award (2016)

Dr. Mehta serves as a PI and/or co-investigator on numerous research studies funded by NIH, NIDILRR, and PCORI. His grants portfolio includes the NIH-funded Nutrition Obesity Research Center Behavioral Science and Analytics Core and the CDC-funded Data Coordinating Center for the National Center on Health Physical Activity and Disability. He has mentored multiple PhD students, serving as committee chair for several dissertations in rehabilitation science and health services administration. His collaborative approach is evident in his numerous multi-institutional projects focused on improving health outcomes for people with disabilities and chronic conditions.

Dr. Mehta leads several research initiatives including the Research Collaborative in the School of Health Professions and co-leads the NORC Behavioral Science and Analytics Core. His work often involves interdisciplinary teams spanning medicine, public health, engineering, and computer science. He has developed and tested numerous telehealth interventions including Movement-to-Music programs, digital coaching platforms, and AI-powered diabetes management tools designed specifically for rural and underserved populations.