Andrew Francis

Andrew Francis, PhD, MD is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine, serving as Director of the Division of Neuromodulation and an affiliated member of the Penn State Neuroscience Institute. His research focuses on neuromodulation therapies, particularly electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), catatonia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. He leads a NIH-funded project on psychopharmacologic modification of ECT neurochemistry and has contributed to over 100 peer-reviewed publications since 1976.

Key research interests include:

• Catatonia classification and treatment protocols
• Neuromodulation techniques in psychiatric care
• ECT optimization and pharmacological adjuncts
• Neurobehavioral disorder biomarkers

Notable contributions include:

• Development of flumazenil/caffeine adjuncts for ECT
• Advancements in catatonia-melancholia interface understanding
• Education innovations in neuromodulation training

Recipient of:

• Penn State's Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2023)
• National Institutes of Health grant (1994-1995)