Bashar Asir, MD

Bashar is a Research Assistant II in the psychiatry department. His journey from being a medical graduate to a valued member of the interventional psychiatry research team reflects his unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of those battling mental health disorders. Born in Virginia and raised in Palestine, Bashar’s childhood experiences ignited his passion for psychiatry and his desire to be part of the change in this field.

After completing his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), Bashar embarked on a journey that would shape his career path. During the challenging times of the COVID pandemic, he served as a general practitioner in his hometown of Jenin, taking on the responsibility of caring for COVID patients and supporting his community in every possible way. Even during the lockdown, Bashar demonstrated his dedication by providing free medical care, including mental health support, to his patients, showcasing his compassionate and empathetic nature.

Bashar’s extensive hands on training in multiple scenarios and environments instilled in him a deep understanding of the profound impact of mental health on individuals and communities. His passion for psychiatry motivated him to join the UTHealth psychiatry department as a research assistant in 2021. Driven by the desire to be part of the change in the psychiatric landscape, Bashar embraced the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge treatments, taking the role of study coordinator for the deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy for treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) and vagus nerve stimulation for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) clinical trials at the center for interventional psychiatry.

In 2022, Bashar co-authored his first research paper focused on DBS for MDD. He has authored numerous research projects since, mainly in the area of interventional psychiatry. His dream is to become a psychiatrist, to offer comprehensive support to individuals battling mental health diagnoses, and to be part of their journey to recovery.