Prof. KHAN, Ahsan
Assistant Professor, Academy of Wellness and Human Development, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)
Ph.D. (Neuroscience), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
BS (Engineering), Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8133-9839
Email: ahsankhan@hkbu.edu.hk
Academic & Professional Experience
2025 – Present | Assistant Professor, Academy of Wellness and Human Development, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Baptist University |
2024 – 2025 | Research Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania |
2022 – 2024 | Research Fellow, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
2021 – 2022 | Visiting Scientist, MRC Cognition & Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge |
2020 – 2021 | Research Exchange Fellow, Department of Psychology, University of Graz |
2017 – 2018 | Research Assistant, Department of Computing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University |
Research Interests
· Cognitive Neuroscience
· Neuroplasticity
· Brain Stimulation
· Healthy Aging
· Brain-Computer Interfaces
Selected Publications
· Ahsan Khan, Desmond J. Oathes (2025) ”Brainwaves Meet Soundwaves: Ultrasound Stimulation for Treating Major Depressive Disorder by Targeting the Subcallosal Cingulate Cortex (2025)” (Hot Topics) Nature Neuropsychopharmacology
· Ahsan Khan, Jing Liu, Maite Crespo Garcia, Kai Yuan, ChengPeng Hu, Ziyin Ren, Chun Hang Eden Ti, Raymond Kai-Yu Tong (2025) “From Correlation to Causation: Understanding Episodic Memory Networks” Neuroscience Bulletin
URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12264-025-01407-2
· Ahsan Khan, Chun Hang Eden, Kai Yuan, Maite Crespo Garcia, Michael C. Anderson, Kai-Yu Tong (2024) “Medial Prefrontal Cortex stimulation reduces Retrieval Induced Forgetting via fronto-parietal Beta desynchronization” Journal of Neuroscience
URL: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0189-24.2024
· Ahsan Khan, Jochen A. Mosbacher, Stephan Vogel, Mira Binder, Michael Wehovz, Arnulf Moshammer, Stefan Halverscheid, Kolja Pustelnik, Michael A. Nitsche, Kai-Yu Tong, Roland H. Grabner (2023) ”Modulation of resting-state networks following repetitive transcranial alternating current stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex” Brain Structure and Function
URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-023-02667-2
· Ahsan Khan, Cheng Chen, Kai Yuan, Kai-Yu Tong (2022) ”Impact of Anodal High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of Medial Prefrontal Cortex on Stroop Task performance and its electrophysiological correlates. A pilot study” Neuroscience Research
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neures.2022.03.006
· Ahsan Khan, Kai Yuan, Shi-Chun Bao, Chun Hang Eden, Abdullah Tariq, Nimra Anjum, Raymond Kai-Yu Tong (2022) ”Can transcranial electrical stimulation facilitate post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation? A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences
URL: https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2022.795737
· Ahsan Khan, Xinyu Li, Yingying Li, Diansen Chen, Jing Yang, Haohui Zhan, Ganqin Du, Jin Xu, Wutao Lou b, Kai-yu Tong (2021) ”Hyperconnection and hyperperfusion of overlapping brain regions in patients with menstrual-related migraine: a multimodal neuroimaging study” Neuroradiology
URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-020-02623-5
· Ahsan Khan, Xin Wang, Chun Hang Eden, Kai-Yu Tong (2020) ”Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation of anterior cingulate cortex modulates subcortical brain regions resulting in cognitive enhancement” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2020.584136/full
· Ahsan Khan, Cheng Chen, Kai Yuan, Xin Wang, Prabhav Mehra, Yunmeng Liu, Raymond Kai-Yu Tong (2020) ”Changes in Electroencephalography complexity and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging connectivity following Robotic Hand Training in Chronic Stroke” Topics in stroke rehabilitation
URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/10749357.2020.1803584
· Shi-Chun Bao, Ahsan Khan, Rong Song, Kai-Yu Tong (2020) ”Rewiring the Lesioned Brain: Electrical Stimulation for Post-Stroke Motor Restoration” Journal of Stroke URL: https://doi.org/10.5853/jos.2019.03027
· Kai Yuan, Cheng Chen, Ahsan Khan, Kai-Yu Tong (2022) “Heterogeneous Stimulation Effects of Alpha and Beta Band stimulation in Chronic Stroke: A Concurrent tACS-fMRI Study” IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems & Rehabilitation Engineering
URL: https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSRE.2022.3153353
· Cheng Chen, Kai Yuan, Xin Wang, Ahsan Khan, Chiu-wing Chu, Kai-Yu Tong (2021) ”Neural correlates of motor recovery after robot-assisted training in chronic stroke: A multimodal neuroimaging study” Neuroplasticity
URL: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8866613
· Chengpeng Hu, Chun Hang Eden Ti, Kai Yuan, Cheng Chen, Ahsan Khan, Xiangqian Shi, Winnie Chiu-wing Chu, Raymond Kai-yu Tong (2024) “Multisite stimulation on Shifted Motor Hotspots with EMG-driven Robotic Hand Improves Upper Extremity Motor Function and Neuromuscular Control in Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial” IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems & Rehabilitation Engineering
URL: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-024-01468-w
Presentation in conferences and symposiums
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
· Cognitive Neuroscience Society (CNS) 2025
United States
Precision Neuromodulation using closed-Loop TMS/fMRI and Neural Network-Based Brain State Decoding
· Society for Neuroscience (SFN) 2023
United States
Stimulation of Medial Prefrontal Cortex modulates inhibitory control during memory retrieval
INVITED TALKS
· Research Talk: Closed-loop Brain Stimulation in Cognitive Neuroscience
May 2025 · COBRE Center for Neuromodulation, Butler Hospital, United States
Presented recent work on personalized brain stimulation protocols that adapt to real-time neural activity using a recursive neural network (RNN) decoder to enhance working memory, highlighting the use of fMRI-based connectivity metrics and dynamic modulation strategies.
· Research Talk: Non-invasive Brain Stimulation and Cognition
August 2022 · Department of Psychology, University of Hong Kong
Delivered an in-depth presentation on the transformative potential of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques in elucidating various cognitive processes, with a focus on how NIBS can enhance our understanding of brain–behavior relationships and neuroplasticity.
· Research Talk: Modulating Episodic Memory Through Active and Passive Forgetting Mechanisms
February 2022 · Air University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Presented findings on active (deliberate suppression) and passive (decay/interference) forgetting in episodic memory, and how non-invasive brain stimulation can modulate these processes to enhance retention or facilitate adaptive forgetting.
· Career Guidance Session
December 2019 · Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences
Organized and facilitated an interactive career guidance workshop, providing students with valuable insights into diverse career pathways, industry trends, and strategies for professional development post-graduation.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
