Dr. Sarah Hollingsworth “Holly” Lisanby Leaves NIMH for New Role at Arizona State University[1]February 25, 2025 • Institute Update[3]Sarah Hollingsworth “Holly” Lisanby, M.D.

This spring, Sarah Hollingsworth “Holly” Lisanby, M.D., Director of the Division of Translational Research (DTR) at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), will depart to join Arizona State University (ASU) as the Founding Dean of the new ASU School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering. Dr. Lisanby’s departure marks a significant transition for both NIMH and the broader mental health research community.

Upon joining NIMH in 2015, Dr. Lisanby led the merger of two separate divisions to form a new Division of Translational Research, an integrated entity spanning translational mental health research across the lifespan. Since 2015, Dr. Lisanby has overseen a significant research funding portfolio, shaped the national agenda for mental health research, and fostered collaboration between the institute’s extramural and intramural research programs.

Under Dr. Lisanby’s leadership, NIMH’s Division of Translational Research launched several new programs to advance an integrative research portfolio that bridges a range of research domains, including computational psychiatry, social neuroscience, statistical methods, neuromodulation, neurotherapeutics, and translational genomics. Dr. Lisanby has also held significant roles in The Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® Initiative, or The BRAIN Initiative®, as co-lead of a team focused on large-scale neural recording and modulation devices and as architect and co-leader of the NIH BRAIN Brain-Behavior Quantification and Synchronization Program.

Dr. Lisanby’s key accomplishments include pioneering magnetic seizure therapy as a rapid-acting treatment for depression. She has authored over 330 publications and is recognized as a leading figure in the field of neuromodulation.

— Dr. Sarah Hollingsworth Lisanby

In addition to her extramural roles, Dr. Lisanby served as the founder and Director of the NIMH Intramural Research Program’s Noninvasive Neuromodulation Unit. This transdisciplinary research program has focused on unpacking the mechanisms of noninvasive neuromodulatory treatments to develop safer, more effective, and personalized interventions for treatment-resistant depression and autism spectrum disorder.

Dr. Lisanby’s pioneering work in magnetic seizure therapy has been particularly impactful. This innovative treatment offers a safer alternative to traditional electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), providing rapid relief for patients suffering from severe depression. Her research has been pivotal in advancing the field of neuromodulation, which aims to understand and manipulate brain activity to treat mental health disorders.

Dr. Lisanby has received numerous national and international awards, including the Distinguished Investigator Award from the Brain Behavior Research Foundation, the Max Hamilton Memorial Prize from the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum, the Gerald R. Klerman Award from the National Depression and Manic Depression Association, and the Eva King Killam Research Award from the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.

Before joining NIMH, Dr. Lisanby was the J. P. Gibbons Professor of Psychiatry at Duke University and the first woman to be selected as Chair of the Duke University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. A board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Lisanby received her dual B.S. degrees in Mathematics and Psychology and her M.D. at Duke University.

Dr. Lisanby’s passion for advancing mental health, commitment to innovative research, and leadership will be deeply missed at NIMH. Her contributions have not only advanced the field of mental health research but also inspired a new generation of researchers and clinicians. Her departure to ASU signals a new chapter in her career, where she will continue to make significant contributions to medical education and research.

As Dr. Lisanby transitions to her new role at ASU, the mental health community eagerly anticipates the continued impact of her work. Her leadership at the new School of Medicine and Advanced Medical Engineering is expected to drive groundbreaking research and innovative educational programs, furthering the mission of improving mental health outcomes across the nation.

Dr. Lisanby’s legacy at NIMH will endure through the continued advancements in translational research and the ongoing efforts to integrate cutting-edge technologies into mental health treatments. Her work has set a high standard for future researchers and has paved the way for new discoveries that will benefit millions of Americans struggling with mental health issues.