

Research Projects
At II&M



The Initiative on Islam and Medicine (II&M) is a leading research center at the intersection of Islam and Biomedicine. We produce groundbreaking scholarship that impacts the lives of Muslim patients, healthcare providers and religious leaders, using an innovative approach that draws insights from a diverse set of disciplinary experts from across the theological, social, and biomedical sciences.
As a platform for impactful research, tailored education, and creative dialogue, II&M’s focuses on:
- Intersecting Beliefs in HealthCare
- Data-Driven Insights
- Collaborative Approach
- Patient-Centered Focus
Active Projects


Completed Projects



- Muslim Health Disparities
- Islamic Theology, Law and Ethics
- Muslim Physicians & Healthcare Workforce
Scientific Discoveries and Theological Realities: Exploring the Intersection of Islam and the Human Sciences
- Padela, A.I. Anesthesiology Grand Rounds DEI: Muslim Clinicians in the Medical Academy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 2/2022.
- Baqai, B., Davila, O., Murrar, S., Azam, L., Padela, A.I. Religious Identity Discrimination in the Physician Workforce: Insights from Two National Surveys of Muslim Clinicians in the US, Conference on Medicine and Religion, Portland, OR, 3/2022.
- Murrar, S., Azam, L., Baqai, B., Davila, O., Padela, A.I. Religious Accommodation or Professional Indoctrination? Experiences of Muslim Physicians in Academic Medicine, Conference on Medicine and Religion, Portland, OR, 3/2022.
- Azam, L, Murrar, S, Baqai, B, Davila, O, Padela, A.I. Advancing Institutional Workforce Equity: Insights From Muslim Physicians in Academic Medicine, The Academy for Professionalism in Health Care, Philadelphia, PA, 6/2022.
- Murrar, S., Azam, L., Baqai, B., Davila, O.,Padela, A.I. Religiosity Predicts Discrimination, Accommodation, and Career Outcomes for Muslim Physicians in Academic Medicine, The Academy for Professionalism in Health Care, Philadelphia, PA, 6/2022.
- Murrar, S., Azam, L., Baqai, B., Davila, O., Padela, A.I. The Impact of Practicing Both Medicine and Religion: Muslim Identity as a Predictor of Discrimination, Accommodation, and Careers Outcomes in Academic Medicine, The Association of American Medical Colleges, Nashville, TN, 11/2022.
Published Media: - Murrar, S., Azam, L., Baqai, B., Davila, O., Padela, A.I. How Religious Identity Impacts Workplace Discrimination and Job Outcomes Among Muslim Physicians in Academic Medicine, Accepted for presentation at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology Annual Convention, Atlanta, GA, 2/2023.
- Azam, L. Murrar, S., Baqai, B., Davila, O., Padela, A.I. Advancing Equity for Muslim Physicians in the Healthcare Workforce, 31st Annual Wisconsin Emergency Medicine Research Forum, Madison, WI, 3/2023.
- Padela, A.I. Seen Yet Invisible: Lessons from Muslim Experiences at the Margins of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Baylor Health Equity Grand Rounds, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (Virtual), 5/2023.
- Azam, L. Murrar, S., Baqai, B., Davila, O., Padela, A.I. Advancing Equity for Muslim Physicians in the Healthcare Workforce, Annual Wisconsin Public Health Association, Madison, WI, 5/2023.
- Padela, A.I., Murrar, S., Azam, L., Baqai, B., Davila, O. Religious Discrimination as Experienced by American Muslim Physicians in Medicine. Accepted and deferred to present in 2024- International Islamophobia Studies and Research Association Annual Conference, Berkely, CA.