Dr. Raag Airan is a pioneering researcher at the forefront of precision neurointerventional technologies and translational neuroscience. He currently holds the position of Assistant Professor of Radiology (Neuroimaging and Neurointervention) at Stanford University, with a courtesy appointment in Materials Science and Engineering. Dr. Airan earned his PhD in Bioengineering from Stanford University in 2010, followed by medical training at Stanford University School of Medicine. He completed his diagnostic radiology residency at Johns Hopkins University in 2015 and a neuroradiology fellowship there in 2016, establishing a unique interdisciplinary foundation bridging engineering, neuroscience, and clinical medicine.
Dr. Airan's transformative research focuses on developing high-precision noninvasive techniques for targeted neurological intervention, recognizing that functional distinctions exist at millimeter-scale brain regions. His laboratory has pioneered innovative approaches combining focused ultrasound technology with nanotechnology to enable unprecedented spatial control for neurological treatments without surgical incisions. His seminal work on regionally-targeted noninvasive ultrasonic drug uncaging has demonstrated selective activation of ketamine's therapeutic effects while minimizing systemic side effects, representing a paradigm shift in precision neuropsychiatry. With over 6,500 citations, his contributions have significantly advanced the field of noninvasive neuromodulation and attracted widespread recognition for their clinical potential.
As a faculty member of Stanford's Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and Sarafan ChEM-H, Dr. Airan plays a vital role in shaping interdisciplinary neuroscience research at the university. He actively mentors numerous graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, guiding the next generation of researchers in neuroimaging and intervention technologies. His work has generated substantial interest across both academic and clinical communities for its applications in treating neurological and psychiatric conditions. Dr. Airan continues to advance his vision of precisely matching neurological therapies to the functional organization of the brain, with ongoing research focused on optimizing ultrasound parameters and nanoparticle delivery systems for broader clinical translation.
