Informatics Research Institute

The Informatics Research Institute (IRI) at UL Lafayette oversees five centers that conduct work in the field of informatics to ensure the transformation of information for solving problems that impact our society.

Our Centers

Informatics Research Institute

Informatics Research Institute logo

 

 

 

Where technology aligns with human values to transform society.

The Informatics Research Institute (IRI) at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's mission is to harness the power of AI and data science through:

  • Conducting use-inspired research that addresses critical societal challenges in population health, crisis response, community resilience, and cybersecurity.
  • Creating innovative technology that empowers researchers, practitioners, and communities to leverage AI and data science for positive impact.
  • Educating and training the next generation of experts to tackle complex challenges and contribute to a safer, healthier, and more resilient world.

 IRI is home to five research centers that utilize information to address significant societal problems. Learn more about each center in the bottom section. 

Meet Executive Director Henry Chu, PhD, PE

Learn More About Our Research Centers

Accessible Healthcare through AI-Augmented Decisions

The National Science Foundation approved the Accessible Healthcare for AI-Augmented Decisions (AHeAD) Center to move forward with planning in July 2025. Its mission brings university researchers and healthcare industry stakeholders together to conduct foundational research needed to create usable AI-augmented decision support tools that enhance healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and reduce costs.AHeAD is a multi-university research partnership between UL Lafayette (lead), Tulane University, the University of Florida, and Georgia Tech. Tampere University in Finland has expressed interest in becoming a university partner.

Meet AHeAD Director, Dr. Raju Gottumukkala

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn more about AHeAD ➝

Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence

The Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence (CAAI) is dedicated to pursuing use-driven AI research, training an AI-ready workforce, and creating a platform to accelerate innovation to support the local economy. The center serves as a hub where AI researchers, domain experts from diverse disciplines, industry specialists, and community stakeholders come together to address real-world challenges.

Meet CAAI Director, Raju Gottumukkala, PhD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learn more about CAAI ➝

Center for Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (CCIC)

The Center for Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (CCIC) brings together multiple and diverse experts from across the University to help our nation prepare for cyberattacks that may impact the country's critical infrastructure.CCIC was founded to examine cybersecurity from the perspective of the cascading impact of a significant cyber incident on the nation’s critical infrastructure, such as that experienced by the 2015 cyberattack on the Ukrainian Power Grid. The Center for the Study of Existential Risk at Cambridge University, UK, now places cyberattacks as a “blue sky hazard” that can take an entire power grid down for a prolonged period. A consequence of such an attack would extend beyond the loss of data; it could completely disrupt the functioning of society, much like a large-scale natural disaster.

 Meet CCIC Director Arun Lakhotia, PhD

Learn more about CCIC ➝

Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center

The NIMSAT Institute manages the daily operations of the Louisiana Business Emergency Operations Center (LABEOC). The center assists Louisiana businesses and non-profit organizations in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts to ensure community stability, resilience, and economic revitalization.

Learn more about the LABEOC ➝

Louisiana Center for Health Innovation

The Louisiana Center for Health Innovation (LCHI) is dedicated to advancing healthcare innovation by developing research, education, and engagement activities that foster collaboration among academia, industry, and the community. This commitment aims to improve healthcare outcomes, promote health equity, and develop a skilled workforce that meets the needs of Louisiana and beyond.


Learn more about LCHI and meet the Director, Gabriela Wilson, PhD, MSc, FHIMSS, FIAHSI, SNAI.

 

 

Learn more about LCHI ➝

National Incident Management Systems and Advanced Technologies

The National Incident Management Systems and Advanced Technologies (NIMSAT) Institute focuses on enriching public-private partnerships and advanced information technologies to enhance the national resiliency for a full range of potential disasters. Our mission is to save human lives. Our experienced emergency management team joins university researchers and technology experts to build a more resilient America through education, training, outreach, and operational support, empowering the homeland security and emergency management community.

Learn more about the NIMSAT Institute ➝