Dr. Chawla is an academic gastroenterologist actively involved in medical school teaching, resident and fellow training in gastroenterology, and clinical research. He is the Program Director for the Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at Emory University School of Medicine.

He has several original publications, including research studies, review articles, and book chapters and has presented at several national and international conferences. He is on the editorial board of a gastroenterology journal and committees of various national and regional gastroenterology societies, including as the President of the Georgia Gastroenterologic and Endoscopic Society.

His clinical and research interests include acute and chronic pancreatitis, early detection and management of gastrointestional malignancies including esophageal, colon and pancreatobiliary cancers, and other biliary diseases.