Zhi-De Deng, PhD
Engineer | Physicist | Brain Stimulation Researcher
Full-Time Awesome Person
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About Zhi
Dr. Deng is a Senior Associate Scientist, and Director of the Computational Neurostimulation Research Program at the National Institute of Mental Health. He earned the SB degree in physics, SB and MEng in electrical engineering and computer science, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University. Dr. Deng completed his postdoctoral training at Duke University and subsequently a research fellowship at NIMH.
Dr. Deng is a leader in neuroengineering and psychiatric neuromodulation. His work is organized around three integrated cores: (1) mechanistic modeling of neurostimulation, linking device physics to neural and circuit-level responses; (2) personalized optimization of therapeutic dosing, using patient-specific models and data to optimize outcome and reduce variability; and (3) model-driven neurotechnology development, enabling the design and evaluation of next-generation stimulation systems in close partnership with clinicians and industry. His influential contributions to electric field modeling for transcranial magnetic stimulation have shaped both scientific understanding and regulatory pathways, supporting the clearance and clinical adoption of TMS systems. He has built a multidisciplinary program at the interface of engineering, computation, and mental health, and is recognized internationally for advancing seizure therapy and precision neuromodulation strategies. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE, and has received numerous honors, including two NIMH Director's Awards for scientific innovation. His vision is to integrate engineering solutions into psychiatric practice, enabling a new era of personalized, effective mental health interventions.
He has an Erdős number of 4 (who doesn't?). When not working at one of his three jobs, he's performing magic or hanging out with his pets—who, by the way, have their own Instagram page. Feel free to follow for updates. Or, you could do something productive with your life... but that's not recommended.
