Elsa Fouragnan

Professor Elsa Fouragnan is a leading academic in the School of Psychology at the University of Plymouth, UK. Her research focuses on neurobiology of decision-making and learning, particularly applying transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation for mental health interventions. She has held roles including Associate Professor in Neuroscience and Head of the Stimulation Unit at BRIC. Her work bridges computational neuroscience with clinical applications, aiming to translate ultrasound technology into therapeutic solutions.

Education & Background: Trained in biomedical engineering, she transitioned to academic research at the Universities of Glasgow and Oxford. Her early work established proof-of-concept for safe deep-brain ultrasound neuromodulation.

Research Interests: Focuses on reward-based learning mechanisms, psychiatric disorder neurobiology, and precision neuromodulation. Key areas include:

• Ultrasound neuromodulation of deep brain regions
• Neural correlates of decision-making and learning
• Clinical applications for mental health

Recent Trends in Publications: Recent work emphasizes translational applications of ultrasound technology, safety protocols, and neurochemical effects in deep brain areas. Key themes include cardiac cycle timing in neural modulation, reward dysfunction in addiction, and social decision-making neural mechanisms.

Awards: Collaboratively received the John Rothwell Award for non-invasive brain stimulation research. Her student Davide Folloni won Science and PINS prizes for neuromodulation work.

Grants & Labs: Leads the Stimulation Unit at BRIC. Coordinates international ITRUSST consortium for ultrasound safety standards. Active in open-source neuroimaging tool development (e.g., pseudo-CT MRI tools).