Imrana Malik, MD
Department of Critical Care Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology, Critical Care Medicine, and Pain Medicine
About Dr. Imrana Malik
As an associate professor in the Department of Critical Care at MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), I am primarily involved in direct patient care in the medical and surgical intensive care units. My clinical research interests include sepsis in cancer patients, and nutrition disturbances in cancer patients. I am also the co-chair of the Sepsis Collaborative at my institution, the mission for which is to decrease mortality from sepsis in cancer patients. Through the Sepsis Collaborative, I helped sponsor a Clinical Safety & Effectiveness project aimed at improving recognition and early identification by bedside nurses of patients with SIRS/sepsis. This project was very successful and achieved 42% increase in SIRS/sepsis recognition. Based on this project, the Department of Nursing and I developed a computer-based training module for sepsis, which is now mandated as annual education for all nurses at MDACC. In addition in September 2012, I planned and hosted the first World Sepsis Awareness Day at MDACC in conjunction with the larger worldwide event sponsored by the Global Sepsis Alliance. This event included the viewing of an MDACC original video that I produced of cancer patients who had survived sepsis and shared their unique stories, underscoring the message about early identification of SIRS/sepsis. I also helped plan and participated in the World Sepsis Day event hosted by the Texas Medical Center, held on the same day. Additionally, I was on the planning committee for the first Annual Sepsis Symposium of the Texas Chapter of the Society of Critical Care Medicine in November 2012. For my extensive interest and work in field of sepsis, the Global Sepsis Alliance invited me to be a member of the Steering Committee for World Sepsis Day. Most recently, I was the lead in a study to validate sepsis-related ICD-9 codes used at MDACC.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Critical Care Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Associate Medical Director, Critical Care Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Critical Care Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1998 | Loyola University, Maywood, Illinois, US, MD |
| 1994 | University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California, US, Biochemistry, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2004-2005 | Clinical Fellowship, Sleep Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2001-2004 | Clinical Fellowship, Pulmonary Critical Care Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas |
| 1999-2001 | Clinical Residency, Internal Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois |
| 1998-1999 | Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2025 | Critical Care Medicine |
| 2007 | Sleep Medicine |
| 2004 | Pulmonary Medicine |
| 2003 | Internal Medicine |
| 2002 | Texas |
| 1998 | Illinois |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2007 - 2013
Assistant Professor, Critical Care Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2005 - 2013
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Operational Medical Director, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2023 - Present
Associate Medical Director, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center; Houston, TX, Houston, TX, 2005 - Present
Other Professional Positions
Member, Global Sepsis Alliance, Resource Committee, Jena, 2016 - Present
Member, Global Sepsis Alliance, Quality Improvement Committee, Jena, 2015 - Present
Physician Representative Board of Directors of the Texas SCCM, Texas SCCM, Houston, TX, 2014 - Present
Steering Committee Member, World Sepsis Day, Global Alliance, Jena, 2012 - Present
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Chair, Critical Care Mentoring Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - 2023
Chair, Institutional Sepsis Advisory Council, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - 2023
Member, Faculty Mentoring Advisory Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - 2023
Coordinator, Critical Care Mentoring Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2013 - 2019
Member, Institutional Review Board 5, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2012 - 2014
Chair, Research and Publications Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2009 - 2015
Member, Clinical Research Committee (CRC) 3, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2008 - 2011
Member, Secure Messaging Workgroup, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2007 - 2011
Co-Chair, Sepsis Collaborative Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2017
Alternate Representative, Medical Records Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2013
Chair, ICU Visitation Task Force Education Subcommittee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2006 - 2009
Honors & Awards
| 2013 | Outstanding Patient Educator, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2006 | Certificate in Clinical Safety & Effectiveness, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2001 | Associate Chief Resident - Internal Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center |
| 1999 | Clinical Vignettes Competition, 3rd place, Loyola University Medical Center |
| 1995 | St. Luke’s Day Medical Student Research Forum Award, Loyola University Medical Center |
| 1993 | New Directions Undergraduate Research Conference Award, Irvine University |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2023. Sepsis Update: What We Know Today & How We Can MoveThe Needle. Invited. Fifth Annual International Symposium on Advances in Critical Care Medicine. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. Sepsis. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Surviving Sepsis Guidelines’ Considerations in the Oncologic Patient: Challenges and Future Approaches. Invited. Second Oncologic Critical Care Symposium, Oncologic Critical Care Research Network. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Sepsis: New Definition, New Direction. Conference. Society of Critical Care Medicine - Texas Chapter 5th Annual Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2013. Updates from the 2012 Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines. Conference. Society of Critical Care Medicine – Texas Chapter. Houston, TX, US.
- 2013. The Dangers of Sepsis and the Ways to Prevent It. Invited. Vaccines for Children In-Service Lecture.
- 2013. Sepsis Awareness. Conference. Anderson Network's Cancer Survivorship Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2010. State of the Science: Optimizing Outcomes of Cancer Patients with Sepsis. Invited. Excellence through Innovations, 5th Annual Oncology Nursing Symposium. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2008. Sepsis and Septic Shock. Conference. UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2017. Sepsis Lecture for Nursing. Conference. Clear Lake Regional Medical Center. Webster, TX, US.
- 2010. "State of the Science: Optimizing Outcomes of Cancer Patients with Sepsis". Conference. 5th Annual Oncology Nursing Symposium, US.
National Presentations
- 2018. Sepsis Prevention and Management in Cancer Patients. Invited. Webinar, Continuum of Care Series. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2014. Medical and Surgical Management of the Septic Patient. Invited. Northwest Medical Center Symposia. Miami, FL, US.
- 2011. Outcomes of Patients with Cancer and Sepsis in Texas: A Population Based Study of Critically Ill Patients. Invited. 40th Critical Care Congress. San Diego, CA, US.
International Presentations
- 2022. Post-Sepsis Syndrome. Invited. Annual Nursing Symposium. Jeddah, SA.
- 2021. Burden of Sepsis and COVID-19. Invited. Learn Sepsis Teach Sepsis Symposium, KSAU-HS Postgraduate Training Center - Online. Riyadh, SA.
- 2021. Septic Shock in Cancer Patients. Invited. Colombian Association of Critical Care Medicine and Intensive Care Conference. Bucaramanga, CO.
- 2018. Sepsis in Cancer Patients. Invited. World Sepsis Congress - Online. Jenna, DE.
- 2016. Sepsis Prevention and Management in Cancer Patients. Invited. World Sepsis Congress - Online. Jenna, DE.
- 2015. Sepsis in Cancer Patients via Webinar. Invited. Global Webinar. Berlin, DE.
- 2006. The Risk of Bacterial Contamination of shared used metered dose inhalers. Invited. 52nd AARC International Respiratory Congress. Irving, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2023 - Present |
| Title: | Correlation of Circulating NETs and Cell-Free DNA with Presence of Sepsis and Septic Shock in Solid Tumor Patients |
| Funding Source: | VolitionRx |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Date: | 2018 - 2020 |
| Title: | Prediction of Early Sepsis by Cellular Reprogramming Signature, Primary Site: University of British Columbia, |
| Funding Source: | MD Anderson Department of Anesthesia/Critical Care/Pain Medicine, Clinical Research Development Fund |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2009 - 2010 |
| Title: | A Phase 2 Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Talactoferrin Alfa in Patients with Severe Sepsis, PI Rajesh Malik |
| Funding Source: | Agennix Incorporated |
| Role: | Co-I |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Reinhart, K, Levy, M, Finfer, SS, Machado, FR, Kaplan, L, Kesecioglu, J, Rhodes, A, Daniels, R, Kissoon, N, Nsutebu, E, Gorordo-Delsol, LA, Malik, I, Alhawsawi, A, Cecconi, M, Giamarellos-Bourboulis, E, Martin, G, Schlapbach, LJ, The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM), E(. Reducing the global burden of sepsis. Intensive Care Medicine 47(7):733-736, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34132841.
- Malik I, Singh P, Wilkes J, Bridges N. Fentanyl-Induced Chest Wall Rigidity in the Intensive Care Unit. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Malik IA, Cardenas-Turanzas M, Gaeta S, Borthakur G, Price K, Cortes J, Nates JL. Sepsis and Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Population-Level Study of Comparative Outcomes of Patients Discharged From Texas Hospitals. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 17(12):e27-e32, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28844403.
- Singh P, Idowu O, Malik I, Nates JL. Acute Respiratory Failure Induced by Magnesium Replacement in a 62-Year-Old Woman with Myasthenia Gravis. Tex Heart Inst J 42(5):495-7, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26504451.
- Hanzelka KM, Yeung SC, Chisholm G, Merriman KW, Gaeta S, Malik I, Rice TW. Implementation of modified early-goal directed therapy for sepsis in the emergency center of a comprehensive cancer center. Support Care Cancer 21(3):727-34, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 22956191.
- Braiteh F, Malik I. Pneumopericardium. CMAJ 179(10):1087, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18981451.
- Young M, Wright M, Matthews J, Malik I, Prechel M. Suppression of T cell proliferation by tumor-induced granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells producing transforming growth factor-beta and nitric oxide. J Immunol, 1996. e-Pub 1996. PMID: 8596044.
Editorials
- Schlapbach LJ, Kissoon N, Alhawsawi A, Aljuaid MH, Daniels R, Gorordo-Delsol LA, Machado F, Malik I, Nsutebu EF, Finfer S, Reinhart K. World Sepsis Day: a global agenda to target a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 319(3):L518-L522, 2020. PMID: 32812788.
- Machado FR, Nsutebu E, AbDulaziz S, Daniels R, Finfer S, Kissoon N, Lander H, Malik I, Papathanassoglou E, Reinhart K, Rooney K, Ruddel H, Toccafondi G, Tulli G, Hamilton V. Sepsis 3 from the perspective of clinicians and quality improvement initiatives. J Crit Care 40:315-317, 2017. PMID: 28478045.
- Malik I, Reinhart. Blood transfusions in critically ill cancer patients remain an area of uncertainty. JECCM 1, 2017.
Abstracts
- Malik I, Kaufman L, Jawe N, Wallace S, Warren ML, Gaeta S, Terrell J. Improving Sepsis Care With A Best Practice Alert In An Oncology-dedicated Acute Care Center. Annual Congress, Society of Critical Care Medicine, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Yepez P, Malik I, Morel P, Sharma A, Nair S, Chilamakuri R, Koshi I, Richard S, Gaeta S, Cata J, Gutierrez C, Sharma J. Exploring the Significance of NETs in Septic Cancer Patients. , Orlando, FL, February 23-25, 2025. Annual Congress, Society of Critical Care Medicine, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Grami P, Brock P, Malik I, Drew R, Hughes A, Qdaisat A, Botdorf J, Langabeer D. Impact of Boarding Time Mortality in Cancer Patients Presenting to Emergency Department with Fever. Annual Congress, Society of Critical Care Medicine, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Daniel A, Shailbala S, Natalie W, Clarissa H, Priscilla O, Imrana M, Cassian Y, Cristina G. RESPONSE TO IMMUNE CHECKPOINT INHIBITORS IN CANCER AND THEIR EFFECTS ON MONOCYTES IN SEPTIC SHOCK. Critical Care Medicine, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Malik I. Acute respiratory failure induced by magnesium replacement: In a 62-year-old woman with myasthenia gravis, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Cardenas-Turanzas M, Malik I, Ravandi F, Borthakur G, Cortes J, Kantarjian H, Price K, Nates JL. Sepsis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Population Level Study in Texas. 43rd Annual Congress, Society of Critical Care Medicine, 2014. e-Pub 2014.
- Malik I, Dee B, Anderegg B, Erfe R, Granwehr B, Olaoya A, Price K. Blood Culture Yield and Resistance in ICU Cancer Patients with Pre-Existing Antimicrobial Coverage. Presented at American Thoracic Society International Conference, Philadelphia, PA, May 18-22, 2013, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Malik I, Lu M, Gaeta S, Terrell J, Feng C, Price K, Lodato R. Sepsis ICD-9 Codes Validation Study: A Retrospective Chart Review. Presented at American Thoracic Society International Conference, Philadelphia, PA, May 18-22, 2013, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Nates JL, Rathi N, Haque S, Gaeta S, Pravinkumar E, Botz G, Chen K, Crommett JW, Calabrese D, de Villalobos D, Malik I, Price K. ICU Triage Improves Patient Flow and Resource Utilization. Chest October 2011 140(4):Meeting Abstracts 357A, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Malik I. Cardenas-Turanzas M, Malik I, et.al. Outcomes of patients with cancer and sepsis in Texas: A population based study of critically ill patients. 40th Critical Care Congress, San Diego, CA (Jan 15-19, 2011), 2011, 2011.
- Vigil KJ, Adachi JA, Jiang Y, Popat UR, Mahani MG, Granwehr B, Malik I, Gaeata S, Champlin RE, Raad I, Chemaly R. Novel Influenza A (2009/H1N1) Infection in Cancer Patients During the Ongoing Pandemic: Early Therapy Improves Outcome. Presented at Infectious Diseases Society of America 2010, and American Society of Hematology 2010, 2010. e-Pub 2010.
- Lakkis CL, Malik I, Perrier N, Castriotta RJ. Evaluation of Sleep in End-Stage Renal Failure Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism (HPT). The University of Texas Health Science Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center - Presented at Associated Professional Sleep Societies, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Malik I, Castriotta RJ. Snoring and cardiovascular disease: 2-5 year follow-up after diagnosis of polysomnographically verified primary snoring disorder. The University of Texas Health Science Center - Presented at American College of Chest Physicians, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
- Malik I. Malik I, Khedr M, Narayanan SL, Castriotta RJ. Primary snoring disorder and cardiovascular disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med(167):A136, 5/2003, 2003.
Book Chapters
- Malik I., Nates JL. Sepsis and Septic Shock in Cancer Patients. In: Oncologic Critical Care. Springer, Cham, 2019.
- Keyuri Popat, Ronaldo Purugganan, Malik I. Off label uses of Dexmedetomidine in Anesthesia and Critical Care. Advances of Anesthesia,. In: Advances of Anesthesia, vol 24, 177-192, 2006.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified August 31, 2026