Alina M. Allen, M.D.

Alina Mihaela Allen, M.D., M.S., is a consultant in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, specializing in hepatology and transplant hepatology. She cares for adults across the spectrum of liver disease, from early metabolic liver disease to cirrhosis and liver transplantation, with an emphasis on individualized care, early identification of disease progression, and integration of emerging diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Dr. Allen is an Associate Professor of Medicine and holds full faculty privileges in Clinical and Translational Science at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. She is board-certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and transplant hepatology.

Her clinical practice and research are closely integrated, with a particular focus on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD; previously known as fatty liver disease), noninvasive assessment of liver disease, and the use of data and technology to improve how liver disease is detected, risk-stratified, and managed.

Areas of expertise

Dr. Allen provides individualized care for adults with liver disease and works closely with multidisciplinary teams to support patients across all stages of illness. Her areas of clinical focus include:

• Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD; previously known as fatty liver disease): Diagnosis, risk assessment, treatment, and longitudinal management, including the use of advanced imaging and noninvasive testing
• Cirrhosis and complications of advanced liver disease: Evaluation, risk stratification, and management of patients with cirrhosis and its complications
• Liver transplantation: Evaluation and care of patients before and after liver transplantation
• Noninvasive liver assessment: Application of advanced imaging, biomarkers, and other noninvasive approaches to characterize liver disease and monitor progression
• Digital hepatology and AI-supported care: Development and integration of data-driven tools to improve disease detection, prognostication, and clinical decision-making

Research and expertise

Dr. Allen leads clinical and translational research focused on improving the detection, characterization, and prediction of liver disease. A major focus of her work is MASLD and understanding why some individuals remain stable while others progress to advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver-related complications.

Her research combines noninvasive liver assessment and advanced imaging with large-scale longitudinal clinical data to study disease progression and outcomes. She has particular expertise in predictive modeling and in developing approaches that can identify patients at increased risk before advanced liver disease becomes clinically apparent.

Another focus of Dr. Allen's work is the application of artificial intelligence and digital technologies to hepatology. Her research explores how routinely collected clinical data, imaging, and computational methods can be translated into practical tools for earlier diagnosis, individualized risk prediction, and more efficient delivery of liver care.

Dr. Allen serves as principal investigator on NIH- and industry-sponsored studies and has contributed to peer-reviewed publications and national and international presentations in hepatology. She also mentors trainees and contributes to education in liver disease and clinical and translational research.

At the center of her clinical and research work is a commitment to translating scientific advances into care that is both more precise and more meaningful for each patient. Outside of medicine, Dr. Allen enjoys traveling and hiking, pursuits that reflect her curiosity and appreciation for exploring new places and perspectives.