Tanka Karki, M.D., joined the UAB Department of Radiology as an instructor in the cardiopulmonary imaging section in March 2026. He completed his undergraduate studies in biology at Little Angels’ College in Lalitpur, Nepal, before earning his MBBS from Nobel Medical College at Kathmandu University. He went on to complete his radiology residency at the prestigious Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, India, where he trained on a competitive, merit-based scholarship.
Following his residency, he returned to Nepal, where he practiced as a general radiologist and previously served as a government medical officer for more than four years. This early experience in frontline care helped shape his clinical perspective and strengthened his commitment to patient-centered medicine.
He later pursued advanced subspecialty training through a Musculoskeletal Imaging fellowship at the UAB, where he continues to contribute clinically and academically.
Learn more about his journey and what inspires his work.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
Karki: I am fascinated by the sheer ability of imaging to understand the pathology behind the clinical presentation of a disease. I strongly believe radiology makes the intangible tangible — bridging clinical presentation and underlying pathology in a way no other specialty can.
What is your primary area of expertise within your field, and what sparked your passion for it?
Karki: My area of expertise is in musculoskeletal radiology, with a particular interest in sports injuries and onco-imaging. It is the shared demand for a precise and intimate knowledge of anatomy — to delineate disease extent and guide clinical decision-making — that continues to drive my passion for both.
What aspects of your new role here are you most excited about?
Karki: I am deeply excited by the opportunity to learn, grow, and continually evolve within an academic environment. My aspirations are to excel in clinical imaging, teaching, and mentoring — inspiring the next generation of radiologists to pursue excellence with the same passion that has driven my own journey.
What are your goals for making an impact through both your teaching and patient care in this role?
Karki: My primary goal is to deliver the highest standard of patient care by guiding our clinical colleagues through accurate, timely, and actionable reporting. As an educator, I am committed to helping our trainees develop a meticulous approach to imaging — teaching them to connect findings, patterns, and clinical context to arrive at a confident and meaningful diagnosis.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Karki: For me, UAB has become more than an institution—it has become a family, a place where I feel genuinely valued, inspired, and empowered.