Cena Research Institute: Full-scope cardiovascular research across therapeutics, devices, diagnostics, and AI. A trial site and full-service CRO, based in Houston. We run sponsor protocols, validate new technology, and develop our own IP. Real-world data, regulatory-grade evidence, faster answers.

A trial site and full-service CRO, based in Houston.

We run sponsor protocols, validate new technology, and develop our own IP.

Real-world data, regulatory-grade evidence, faster answers.

Our Story

Founded in 2014, built inside a working cardiology practice.

Dr. Asif Ali, MD founded Cena Research Institute in 2014 in Houston, starting as a single-site research effort attached to his own cardiology practice, Houston Cardiology Consultants. The idea was simple: pair rigorous, trial-grade research with an active clinical population, rather than build a research organization from the outside in.

Over the following decade, that single-site effort grew into a full-scope organization — a trial site for sponsors, a full-service CRO, and a developer of original diagnostics and technology — while staying rooted in the same integrated practice and physician-led referral base that started it. Today, that same model extends into training the next generation of researchers through the Cena Research Foundation.

About CRI

Founded in 2014, Cena Research Institute (CRI) is a Houston-based cardiovascular research organization operating across the full research lifecycle. We serve as a clinical trial site for pharmaceutical and device sponsors, provide full-service CRO support for teams running their own protocols, and develop original diagnostics and technology in-house.

Our work spans therapeutics, devices, diagnostics, and AI, grounded in one of the country’s most representative patient populations and held to regulatory-grade standards. The result: real-world evidence and faster, more reliable answers for the partners building the future of cardiovascular care.

What We Do

Sponsor Trials

A ready cardiovascular site for Phase II–IV pharmaceutical and device trials, with fast activation and reliable enrollment.

Full-Service CRO

End-to-end support for teams running their own protocols: design, execution, monitoring, and close-out.

Device & Diagnostic Validation

Independent clinical validation of cardiovascular devices and diagnostics against regulatory-grade endpoints.

AI & Digital Health

Real-world validation of AI algorithms, remote monitoring, and digital health platforms.

Internal IP & Investigator-Initiated Research

Original research and technology developed in-house, from concept to publication.

Regulatory, Quality & Biostatistics

IRB management, independent monitoring, rigorous analysis, and peer-reviewed dissemination built to sponsor and FDA standards.

Not sure which fits? Talk to our team

Our Team

The people behind CRI

Leadership

Dr. Asif Ali, MD

Chairman, Founder & Principal Investigator

Founder and Principal Investigator of CRI, partner at Houston Cardiology Consultants, and a member of the American Heart Association's Health Technology Advisory Group and AI Task Force.

Dr. Paulomi Modi, PhD

Director of Clinical Research & Innovation

Directs trial operations, scientific strategy, and CRI's research portfolio end to end. Translational scientist with a PhD in Cancer Biology, completed as an NIH T32 fellow.

Yulissa Delgado

Clinical Research Coordinator

Coordinates clinical cardiology studies across recruitment, consent, data collection, and regulatory documentation. Co-author on peer-reviewed AHA Scientific Sessions abstracts.

Sub-Investigators

Dr. Sajid Ali, MD

Sub-Investigator, Interventional Cardiology

Practicing interventional cardiologist with Houston Cardiology Consultants and United Memorial Medical Center; supports CRI trials requiring interventional expertise.

Dr. Abdul Ali, MD, FRCP, FSCAI

Sub-Investigator, Diagnostic & Interventional Cardiology

Diagnostic and interventional cardiologist with decades of experience; Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and Cardiology; Clinical Associate Professor, UT Houston.

Dr. Vaseem Ali, MD

Sub-Investigator

Double board-certified physician (gynecology and urology), extending CRI's investigator capabilities into adjacent therapeutic areas.

Advisory Board

Dr. Patrick Dunn, PhD, MBA, MSSE, FAHA

Advisor

Program Director at the American Heart Association's Center for Health Technology & Innovation; advises CRI on digital health strategy, research design, and quality.

James Lowry

Advisor

Co-founder of Concept2Exit Consulting Group with 35+ years across medical-device and technology companies; advises CRI on strategy and growth.