Nolan R. Williams

Nolan R. Williams (June 25, 1982 – October 8, 2025) was an American neuropsychiatrist who made "transformative" contributions in treating depression by helping optimize transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy. He attended the College of Charleston for his undergraduate education.

Research and career

He attended the Medical University of South Carolina for his MD degree, where he then trained in both neurology and psychiatry residencies. After this, he "joined the faculty at Stanford University School of Medicine, where he rose to the rank of Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and was Director of the Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab." SAINT is also referred to as SNT, for Stanford Neuromodulation Therapy, in the medical literature. It was first called "spaced-TMS, but as ... Williams saw how powerful it was, he changed the name to the more angelic 'SAINT TMS' ... Then, he had to change it again, after a journal reviewer complained that we shouldn't mix religious language with medical treatment. So, SAINT became SNT."

In 2024, he became an elected member of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.

Personal life Williams was married to Kristin Raj and they had two children. He died from suicide at age 43.