Who is Akshay Jagadeesh? All About Sam Altman’s OpenAI Researcher

San Francisco, September 2025 – Akshay Jagadeesh has officially joined Sam Altman’s OpenAI as a research resident, where he will focus on AI safety and explore how artificial intelligence can accelerate progress in health and medicine.

Jagadeesh shared the update on social media, writing: “I’m thrilled to share that I’ve joined @OpenAI as a research resident, focusing on safety research and AI for health. After nearly 10 years studying the brain, I’m excited for this next chapter building AGI to accelerate medical progress and scientific research!”

Academic and Research Journey

Akshay Jagadeesh has a strong academic background. He earned a PhD in Computational Neuroscience and Psychology from Stanford University. After completing his doctorate, he worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School for almost three years.

Before that, he also worked as a research assistant at top universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, and Humboldt University in Berlin.

His research over the years has focused on understanding how the brain enables perception and behavior. He used computational models to link neural activity with cognition, bridging neuroscience and psychology.

Transition to OpenAI

After nearly a decade in academic research, Jagadeesh decided to move into the AI industry. In his OpenAI role, he will work on two important areas:

1. Making AI systems safe, reliable, and aligned with human values.

2. Exploring how AI can speed up discoveries in medicine and health.

Jagadeesh explained that he is motivated by the chance to use his neuroscience background to create AI tools that contribute to both scientific discovery and human well-being.

Why This Matters

OpenAI is currently one of the most influential players in the AI world. With researchers like Akshay Jagadeesh focusing on safety and health applications, the company is showing its commitment not only to building powerful AI systems but also to making them trustworthy and beneficial for society.