New University of Houston Institute to Transform Healthcare Through Technology
Story by Bryan Luhn | Layout by Kevin Kao | August 5, 2026
The University of Houston is launching the Institute for Digital Healthcare Transformation, a university-wide research endeavor that is dedicated to developing next-generation technologies to improve healthcare access, delivery and patient outcomes.
Operating under UH Health, the University’s new academic enterprise, the Institute brings together cross-disciplinary expertise in engineering, medicine, natural sciences, computer science, business, law, public policy and other disciplines. By bridging research, education, clinical care and industry, the Institute will accelerate the development of groundbreaking digital health innovations into real-world medical solutions.
Improving the Future of Healthcare through Technology
From AI-powered diagnostics and remote patient monitoring to wearable technologies, biosensors, mobile health applications and digital therapeutics, the Institute for Digital Healthcare Transformation will accelerate the research, development and commercialization of next-generation technologies that move healthcare innovations from the laboratory into real-world patient care.
Real-time data is transmitted from the patient's wearable digital device to the provider.
Real-time data is transmitted from the patient's wearable digital device to the provider.
“Digital health isn't just engineering, and it isn't just medicine,” said Jonathan McCullers, vice president for health affairs at UH and dean of the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. “It requires experts across the University—from business and law to public policy and AI—all working together to solve complex healthcare challenges.”
Already, UH researchers are using AI and advanced mathematical modeling to create digital twins of human physiology that could improve diagnosis, personalize treatments and accelerate the development of new therapies. They are also developing human-centered AI tools that integrate and interpret complex health data, giving clinicians better information to diagnose disease and deliver more personalized care.
“Some of the most exciting advances in healthcare are happening where medicine, engineering and data science intersect.”
“This institute will create an environment where engineers, clinicians and scientists can work side by side to create tools that make healthcare smarter and more connected while giving providers better ways to prevent, diagnose and manage disease,” said Kirill Larin, Cullen Endowed Chair and professor of biomedical engineering at UH.
Expanding Healthcare Access through Digital Innovation
According to the Texas 2036 project, more than 4.2 million Texans live in rural communities, where access to healthcare is limited by long travel distances and provider shortages. Nearly 30% of Texas’ 254 counties have no hospital, and the overwhelming majority of rural counties are designated Health Professional Shortage Areas.
To address these challenges, the Institute will develop tools that help physicians detect disease earlier, monitor chronic conditions remotely and support older adults who want to remain independent, improving care beyond traditional healthcare settings.
Stacey Gorniak, professor of health and human performance at UH, demonstrates digital technology that allows monitoring of conditions such as sleep apnea.
Stacey Gorniak, professor of health and human performance at UH, demonstrates digital technology that allows monitoring of conditions such as sleep apnea.
“Most digital health programs are trying to build the next product for people who already have excellent access to healthcare, but our focus is different,” McCullers said. “We're bringing together engineering, medicine and technology to solve real healthcare problems—helping people manage chronic disease, supporting healthy aging and expanding access to care for communities that need it most.”
Accelerating Discovery to Real-World Impact
Breakthrough discoveries can take years to reach patients, often because researchers lack the time, expertise or resources needed to move promising ideas beyond the laboratory. The Institute for Digital Healthcare Transformation will help close that gap by providing industry partnerships, commercialization support and entrepreneurial expertise needed to translate research into real-world healthcare solutions.
A venture studio is planned to help faculty navigate the path from scientific discovery to startup formation, product development and commercialization. By connecting researchers with experienced entrepreneurs, investors, healthcare providers and industry partners, the Institute aims to help promising innovations reach patients more quickly.
“Researchers shouldn't have to choose between being scientists and being entrepreneurs.”
CellChorus’ TIMING™ platform is the only single-cell technology that simultaneously evaluates how individual cells move, activate, interact, kill and survive.
CellChorus’ TIMING™ platform is the only single-cell technology that simultaneously evaluates how individual cells move, activate, interact, kill and survive.
“We want researchers focused on discovery while building the infrastructure that helps great ideas reach patients and communities where they can make a real difference,” McCullers said. “Our goal isn't simply to create new technologies, but to bring together the full strength of the University through UH Health to develop solutions that improve healthcare and make a meaningful difference in people's lives.”
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