Wael Asaad

Wael Asaad, MD, PhD is Sidney A. Fox and Dorothea Doctors Fox Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Professor of Neurosurgery and Neuroscience, and Vice-Chair for Research at Rhode Island Hospital. His work bridges clinical neurosurgery with fundamental neuroscience research.

Clinical Expertise

• Director of Functional and Epilepsy Neurosurgery
• Specializes in deep brain stimulation, focused ultrasound, responsive neurostimulation, and laser ablation
• Treats movement disorders, intractable epilepsy, and psychiatric conditions

Research Focus

The Asaad Laboratory investigates neural circuits underlying learning, memory, and decision-making in both human and animal models. Their translational research connects prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia mechanisms to clinical applications in neuromodulation for neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Recent work explores neurophysiological biomarkers in Parkinson's disease, responsive neurostimulation for epilepsy, and AI applications in neurosurgical education and consent processes.

Scientific Recognition

• Doris Duke Clinical Scientist Development Award
• Multiple Dean's Teaching Awards at Brown University
• Published in top journals: PLOS Biology, Current Biology, JAMA Surgery
• Active in NIH study sections and professional societies

Education & Training

• BA, Neuroscience & English, Amherst College (1993)
• PhD, Systems Neuroscience, MIT (2001)
• MD, Yale University (2003)
• Neurosurgery residency and functional neurosurgery training at MGH/Harvard

Academic Leadership

Currently Associate Director of Neurosurgery Residency, Director of Epilepsy Fellowship, and leads translational research initiatives at Brown University's Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute.