Wael Asaad, MD, PhD received his undergraduate degree from Amherst College in 1993, then earned a PhD in systems neuroscience from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2001, and his MD from Yale University in 2003. Asaad completed a general surgery internship and neurosurgical residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital. During his residency, he undertook additional training in functional neurosurgery. In 2011, he joined the department of neurosurgery at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Asaad’s clinical work focuses on applying brain circuit modulation techniques (including deep brain stimulation, focused ultrasound, responsive neurostimulation, and laser ablation) to treat movement disorders, intractable epilepsy, and intractable psychiatric disease. He is also involved in clinical trials applying novel neurosurgical therapies for conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Stroke.
His basic science interests focus on the ways in which neuronal circuits in the frontal cortex and basal ganglia underlie visual-motor learning, memory and decision-making, and how a better understanding of these might lead to strategies to alleviate the cognitive aspects of psychiatric and neurological diseases, including traumatic brain injury and stroke.
Degrees
2003
M.D. Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
2001
Ph.D. Systems Neuroscience, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
1993
B.A. Magna Cum Laude, Neuroscience & English, Amherst College, Amherst, MA
Residencies
2004-2010
Resident, Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital
2003-2004
Intern, General Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital
Fellowships
2006-2008
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Functional Neurosurgery / Neuroscience, M.G.H.
2001-2003
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Center for Learning & Memory, M.I.T.
Board Certifications
Board-Certified, American Board of Neurological Surgeons
Epilepsy surgery, functional neurosurgery / deep brain stimulation, focused ultrasound, psychiatric neurosurgery, general neurosurgery of the brain and spine, movement disorders, traumatic brain injury.