Salma Abdalla is a physician-scientist investigating how social, commercial, and economic policies shape population health and health equity. Her research focuses on leveraging data-driven decision-making to improve outcomes for noncommunicable diseases and mental health in the aftermath of trauma.

Beyond specific health outcomes, Abdalla applies a meta-scientific lens to her work, examining the structures, incentives, and processes of scientific inquiry itself. Her work is grounded in systems science, employing methods such as epidemiological assessment, agent-based modeling, and policy impact evaluations. She is also the co-director of the School of Public Health's Global Health Futures research network.

Abdalla has authored or co-authored eight reports and policy briefs. She was a co-author of the U.S. Surgeon General’s report in 2021 on community health and economic prosperity. She has been a member of working groups for the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Brookings Institution 17 Rooms, Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) Alliance, WHO, Wilton Park, World Bank, and the World Economic Forum.