Faculty

Research Interests

Ali Rowhani-Rahbar is the Bartley Dobb Professor for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Professor of Epidemiology, Professor of Pediatrics, Adjunct Professor of Public Policy & Governance, and Director of the Center for Firearm Injury Prevention at the University of Washington.

His research evaluates community-based interventions, social programs, and public policies for their impact on multiple forms of violence, with particular emphasis on preventing firearm-related harm. In recognition of his contributions to firearm violence research, he was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2023 and Washington State Academy of Sciences in 2024.

Since 2012, Rowhani-Rahbar has cotaught core epidemiologic methods courses at the University of Washington and mentored numerous trainees in research methods, injury science, and violence prevention. He received the University of Washington Distinguished Teaching Award in 2020 and the University of Washington School of Public Health Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award in 2023.

Rowhani-Rahbar received his MD from Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Iran, his MPH from Yale University, and his PhD from the University of Washington. He completed his postdoctoral training at Stanford University and his research fellowship at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.

Education

PhD Epidemiology, University of Washington, 2009

MD Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Iran), 2002

MPH Epidemiology, Yale University, 2005

In the News

After Trump’s Cuts, Who’s Going to Fund Gun Violence Prevention?
UW School of Public Health News, 02/03/2026

Firearm deaths now top cause of death for U.S. high schoolers
UW School of Public Health News, 10/09/2025

More Washington households store firearms securely
UW School of Public Health News, 07/03/2025

Poverty-reduction effort linked to lower gun suicide rate
UW School of Public Health News, 04/04/2025

My elderly father had dementia, anger issues — and many guns
UW School of Public Health News, 09/30/2024

A grieving Seattle community considers ways to keep Garfield kids safe
The Seattle Times, 06/24/2024

Supreme Court’s devotion to gun rights faces a challenging test
The New York Times, 11/06/2023

National Academy of Medicine Elects 100 New Members
National Academy of Medicine, 10/09/2023

How rates of mass shootings vary by state, mapped
NBC News, 07/26/2023

US gun violence rates at historic highs ahead of July 4th holiday
USA Today, 06/29/2023