Roger P. Woods

Roger P. Woods, M.D. is a Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he also serves as Director of the Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center. With appointments in both the Department of Neurology and Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, Dr. Woods has established himself as a leading researcher in neuroimaging methodology and its application to psychiatric and neurological disorders.

Dr. Woods' research spans several critical areas in neuroscience, with particular emphasis on neuroimaging analysis methods, brain development, imaging genetics, and psychiatric disorders. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of treatment mechanisms for major depressive disorder, particularly regarding ketamine therapy and electroconvulsive therapy. Through innovative applications of structural and functional MRI, his research has illuminated brain connectivity patterns, structural plasticity following treatment interventions, and the neurodevelopmental impacts of prenatal factors including alcohol exposure and maternal depression.

Analysis of Dr. Woods' recent publications reveals a strong focus on depression treatment mechanisms, with particular attention to how ketamine modulates brain connectivity in treatment-resistant depression. His work demonstrates sophisticated integration of multiple neuroimaging modalities to identify predictive biomarkers of treatment response. Additionally, Dr. Woods has made significant contributions to understanding how early life factors, particularly prenatal exposures, shape brain development and subsequent mental health outcomes, often through large-scale collaborative studies in diverse populations including South African birth cohorts.

As Director of the UCLA Brain Mapping Center, Dr. Woods oversees one of the premier neuroimaging facilities in the world, facilitating cutting-edge research across multiple disciplines. His technical expertise in neuroimaging methodology has been instrumental in developing advanced analysis techniques that have been adopted by researchers worldwide. Dr. Woods' career demonstrates a remarkable integration of clinical expertise, methodological innovation, and translational research that bridges basic neuroscience with clinical applications.