Alexander Opitz

Alexander Opitz serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, where he leads innovative research in non-invasive brain stimulation technologies. His laboratory focuses on developing computational models to estimate electric field distributions during transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial electric stimulation (TES), integrating these with neuronavigation systems to improve targeting of specific brain circuits. Opitz's research bridges engineering principles with neuroscience to address neurological and psychiatric disorders through personalized neuromodulation approaches.

Opitz's primary research interests center on the biophysical and physiological foundations of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS). His lab develops advanced computational tools like SimNIBS for electric field simulation and NeMo-TMS for multi-scale neuron modeling, enabling precise prediction of stimulation effects from whole-brain to single-neuron levels. Current projects include closed-loop real-time TMS-EEG systems that align stimulation pulses with ongoing brain activity phases, deep-learning-based modeling for rapid TMS field estimation, and personalized rehabilitation protocols for stroke recovery in children. His work emphasizes translating improved understanding of brain physiology into clinical applications for conditions like depression and stroke.

The research trends in Opitz's 15 most recent publications reveal a strong focus on personalization and precision in brain stimulation. Key themes include individual anatomical and functional predictors for NIBS response, real-time brain state-dependent stimulation, cross-species modeling frameworks, and meta-analyses of electric field effects in clinical populations. His work increasingly integrates machine learning with traditional computational methods while expanding applications to psychiatric disorders and pediatric populations, demonstrating a clear trajectory toward clinically viable personalized neuromodulation therapies.

Opitz actively contributes to the scientific community through his lab's extensive resource sharing. He maintains the SimNIBS software platform for electric field simulation, develops the NeMo-TMS toolbox for neuron modeling, and hosts annual workshops on non-invasive brain stimulation methods. His lab's GitHub repository provides open access to published code, while their YouTube channel 'Brain Stimulation Science' disseminates educational content and seminar recordings. These resources support global researchers in advancing NIBS technologies and methodologies.