School of Public Health

About

Header for CRAIPH

"The Center for Responsible AI in Public Health (CRAIPH) at the University of Memphis is an interdisciplinary center housed within the School of Public Health. CRAIPH is a research and training infrastructure to promote the responsible and transparent use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in public health. We support applied AI research, educational programs, and collaborations that address real-world challenges, particularly those affecting under-resourced communities.

This program in strategizing to achieve the following goals:

Advance population health locally and globally Provide ethical and policy guidance on AI applications and governance Build strategic partnerships with public, private and community stakeholders Support transdisciplinary research across public health, computer science and related fields Expand AI educational offerings to prepare the next generation of public health professionals

Research and Projects

These initiatives reflect CRAIPH’s commitment to applied, real-world problem-solving using AI technologies. CRAIPH supports research in several key areas, with ongoing and upcoming projects that explore AI applications in health:

Substance

Use Disorder (SUD)
Intervention and Prevention

AI Enabled

Engagement Devices for
Behavioral & Community Health

Career

Advantages of AI
for UofM Students

Literature

Review: State of
the Art in Generative AI

About CRAIPH

CRAIPH's mission is to advance trustworthy and application-focused AI solutions that improve public health outcomes. By integrating technical innovation with transparent governance and institutional capacity-building, the Center helps researchers, students and practitioners translate emerging technologies into practical, ethical and impactful solutions.

  • Outreach & Engagement

    CRAIPH is active in local, national and international engagement.

    • Community Engagement:
      • Collaboration with Memphis-area health organizations
      • Development of AI-informed public education programs
      • Pilot testing of AI devices with community health partners
    • National and Global Collaborations:
      • Engagement with NIH, CDC, NSF and private sector AI companies
      • International academic partnerships in Asia and Europe
      • Participation in national AI and public health policy forums
  • Strategic Milestones

    Center-wide milestones include:

    • Establish CRAIPH and UofM-AIHR Lab; launch courses
    • Develop and propose an MS in Applied AI and AI Minors
    • Rollout of micro-credential programs and new research projects
    • Host national symposium; global research partnership launched
    • Establish CRAIPH as a regional leader in applied AI for health
    2025-2026 1st Phase of the PAIR project – Launching the UofM AIHR Lab 2026-2027 2nd Phase of the PAIR project – Research 2027 and Beyond Additional research, global, national and community engagement
  • Publications and Presentations

    CRAIPH-affiliated faculty and students contribute to:

    • Peer-reviewed journal articles
    • Policy briefs and white papers
    • Conference presentations (national and international)
    • Poster sessions and student symposia

Leadership and Founding Team

CRAIPH brings together a team of faculty, students and partners with expertise in AI, health research, systems science and applied analytics.

Headshot of Ricky Leung

Ricky Leung, PhD, MPhil, MS
Director of CRAIPH and Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Headshot of Dr. Ashish Joshi

Dr. Ashish Joshi
Founding Member of CRAIPH, Dean and Distinguished Professor of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health

Headshot of Dr. Maryam Karimi

Dr. Maryam Karimi
Founding Member of CRAIPH, Director of Research and Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Environmental Health

Join CRAIPH

CRAIPH welcomes collaboration--email us at craiph@memphis.edu

University Faculty & Students
University Faculty & Students
Public Health Professionals
Public Health Professionals
Industry Researchers
Industry Researchers
Community Organizations
Community Organizations