Neuroscientist Named Dean of Behavioral, Brain Sciences

Dr. Adam J. Woods, a leader in neuromodulation who is focused on finding noninvasive methods for remediating age-related decline in thinking and memory, has joined The University of Texas at Dallas as dean of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS).

"UT Dallas' meteoric rise is a big part of what got me excited about this opportunity," he said. "Strategic development and growth, hiring spectacular faculty, having great staff and attracting incredible students - UT Dallas is realizing its potential, and there's still room for continued growth and refinement."

Woods, who was most recently associate dean for research at the University of Florida (UF) College of Public Health and Health Professions, noted the similarities between BBS and its various centers and UF's Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory Clinical Translational Research, where he served as co-director.

"My former center and college included psychology, neuroscience, and speech, language and hearing, just as BBS does," said Woods, who also has been named the Aage and Margareta Møller Distinguished Professor in Behavioral and Brain Sciences. "As a cognitive neuroscientist with a major focus on health sciences, I couldn't think of a better footprint for my interests."

Woods highlighted research, education and practice as the three pillars of BBS and described the school as uniquely positioned to have an impact across many domains, including devices, noninvasive intervention and clinical trials spanning many interdisciplinary fields. His first six to 12 months at UTD will include a "listening tour," he said, through one-on-one meetings with faculty, fellow administrators, staff and students.

"I knew that if I didn't jump at the opportunity to be a part of the UTD and BBS community it would be something I would regret for the rest of my life. It is the greatest honor and privilege of my career to serve as dean of BBS."

Dr. Adam J. Woods, dean of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences

"I believe in respecting the environment you come into and the people who are already there," he said. "What things are really working? What are their pain points? Leadership means serving those around us. We've got amazing faculty and staff, and I want to learn what makes us great, then figure out how we can work together to grow even stronger."

Dr. Inga H. Musselman, UT Dallas provost, vice president for academic affairs and the Cecil H. Green Distinguished Chair of Academic Leadership, described Woods as a "proven leader whose passion and energy can channel the school's momentum for an influential, successful future."

"His contributions to research on age-related cognitive decline and his exploration of noninvasive brain stimulation make him an outstanding addition to our faculty," she said.

Dr. Margaret Tresch Owen, professor of psychology and former director of the Center for Children and Families, served as interim BBS dean throughout the year before Woods' arrival. She believes he has the vision, skills and energy for the job.

"The launch of the deanship of Dr. Adam Woods is an exciting time for BBS," she said. "He recognizes and appreciates our school's many strengths, its history of growth in both basic and applied sciences, and its many contributions to our community and society, both near and far. The management and support that are needed to sustain the rapid growth we've experienced and shape our future are not easy tasks. We are excited to welcome him and engage in visionary discussions."

Woods received a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a PhD in cognitive neuroscience from The George Washington University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania.

In 2013 Woods joined the UF College of Medicine's department of aging and geriatric research. In 2016 he moved to the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions' Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, where he was associate chair for research and head of cognitive and emotion neuroscience prior to his associate deanship of the college.

Woods' most recent research has involved refining the methods behind transcranial direct current stimulation, which delivers a low electric current via electrodes on the scalp to modulate cortical excitability. This noninvasive treatment is championed as easy to access and less likely to cause side effects.

For Woods, the opportunity to join UTD was simply a chance he could not pass up.

"This was such a unique opportunity in a unique place," Woods said. "I knew that if I didn't jump at the opportunity to be a part of the UTD and BBS community it would be something I would regret for the rest of my life. It is the greatest honor and privilege of my career to serve as dean of BBS."

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.