Descartes Li

Descartes Li is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), affiliated with the Weill Institute for Neurosciences. His primary roles include:

• Director, Undergraduate Medical Education
• Director, UCSF Bipolar Disorder Program
• Director, UCSF Electroconvulsive Therapy Service
• Co-Director, Brain, Movement, and Behavior (Foundational Science Course)

He specializes in medical student education, clinical reasoning, and electroconvulsive therapy, with research interests spanning bipolar disorder, depression, cultural psychiatry, and artificial intelligence in mental health. His publications focus on interdisciplinary education, treatment efficacy, and neurostimulation techniques.

Key trends in his work include:

• Integration of systems improvement into medical curricula
• Advancements in ECT protocols and safety
• Studies on nutritional influences on psychiatric symptoms
• Development of collaborative care models for mood disorders
• Analysis of pharmacological responses in bipolar disorder

His affiliations include:

• UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences
• School of Medicine at UCSF
• Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

He collaborates with researchers in otolaryngology, neurology, and anesthesiology, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach.