Deng Mao

Deng Mao earned his Master of Science in Basic Psychology from South China Normal University in 2024. His graduate research focused on exploring structural brain networks and changes in resting-state functional connectivity in patients with depression. This work provided him with valuable experience in neuroimaging techniques, including structural MRI (sMRI) and functional MRI (fMRI), as well as advanced network analysis methods. Through this research, he developed a deeper understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying depression.

In October 2024, Deng joined the Ghent Experimental Psychiatry Lab (GHEP) at Ghent University as a PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Chris Baeken. His doctoral research investigates the therapeutic effects of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) in patients with depression, with a particular focus on how treatment influences brain structure and connectivity. By combining neuroimaging and clinical psychiatry, Deng aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of depression and to improve the effectiveness of treatment approaches. His research is supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarship program, which enables him to work at the intersection of cutting-edge science and clinical practice.