Our BPD Researchers

Since 2011, 15 researchers investigating borderline personality disorder (BPD), or core features of BPD have been awarded Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) Young Investigator Grants. Each grant is $70,000 for two years, or $35,000 for one year. Thirteen of these grants were made possible by funding from Families for Borderline Personality Disorder Research.

The BBRF Young Investigator Grant is a prestigious award that greatly enhances the researcher’s career path and access to additional research funding from government and private sources.

Brad Reich, M.D.

McLean Hospital/Harvard University
2012 – 2014

Neurobiological distinction between BPD and bipolar disorder

Learn more about Brad

Ed Selby, Ph.D.

Rutgers University
2012 – 2014

Emotion dysregulation and self-damaging behaviors

Learn more about Ed

Kate Saunders, Ph.D.

University of Oxford
2013 – 2015

Social cooperation after treatment for BPD

Learn more about Kate

Brad Reich, M.D.

McLean Hospital/Harvard University
2012 – 2014

Neurobiological distinction between BPD and bipolar disorder

Learn more about Brad

Ed Selby, Ph.D.

Rutgers University
2012 – 2014

Emotion dysregulation and self-damaging behaviors

Learn more about Ed

Kate Saunders, Ph.D.

University of Oxford
2013 – 2015

Social cooperation after treatment for BPD

Learn more about Kate

Sarah K. Fineberg, M.D., Ph.D.

Yale University
2014 – 2016

Social learning in BPD

Learn more about Sarah

Sarah K. Fineberg, M.D., Ph.D.

Yale University
2014 – 2016

Social learning in BPD

Learn more about Sarah

Anthony Ruocco, Ph.D.

University of Toronto
2014 – 2016

Magnetic seizure therapy as a new treatment for suicidality in BPD

Learn more about Anthony

Emily Ansell, Ph.D.

Pennsylvania State University
2015 – 2017

Pharmacotherapy to reduce impulsivity and suicidal behavior

Learn more about Emily

Anthony Ruocco, Ph.D.

University of Toronto
2014 – 2016

Magnetic seizure therapy as a new treatment for suicidality in BPD

Learn more about Anthony

Emily Ansell, Ph.D.

Pennsylvania State University
2015 – 2017

Pharmacotherapy to reduce impulsivity and suicidal behavior

Learn more about Emily

Vanessa Nieratschker, Ph.D.

University of Tübingen
2015 – 2016

DBT treatment and epigenetic effects

Learn more about Vanessa

Hyun-Jae Pi, Ph.D.

Brandeis University
2016 – 2018

Neuronal circuits underlying impulsivity

Learn more about Hyun-Jae

Keith Bush, Ph.D.

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
2017 – 2019

Emotion regulation and measures to prognose regulation ability

Learn more about Keith

Chui-De Chiu, Ph.D.

Chinese University of Hong Kong
2018 – 2020

Self-representation in BPD

Learn more about Chui-De

Sandra Sanchez Roige

Sandra Sanchez-Roige, Ph.D.

University of California, San Diego
2019 – 2020

A genetic study of impulsive behavior

Learn more about Sandra

Christian Ebbesen, Ph.D.

Christian Ebbesen, Ph.D.

New York University
2020 – 2021

Oxytocin and social behavior

Learn more about Christian

Takashi Sato, Ph.D.

Takashi Sato, Ph.D.

Medical University of South Carolina
2020 – 2022

Prelimbic cortex of the brain and impulsive action

Learn more about Takashi

Dr. Lois W. Choi-Kain

Lois W. Choi-Kain, M.D.

McLean Hospital
2021 – 2023

Next generation therapy: online psychoeducation and digital assessments

Learn more about Lois

Dr. Sarah Fineberg, expert BPD Researcher

Sarah K. Fineberg, M.D., Ph.D.

Yale University
2022 – 2024
(2nd YI grant)

Assaying Social Cognition to Define Mechanisms of Recovery in BPD
Learn more about Sarah

Vanessa Nieratschker, Ph.D.

University of Tübingen
2015 – 2016

DBT treatment and epigenetic effects

Learn more about Vanessa

Hyun-Jae Pi, Ph.D.

Brandeis University
2016 – 2018

Neuronal circuits underlying impulsivity

Learn more about Hyun-Jae

Keith Bush, Ph.D.

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
2017 – 2019

Emotion regulation and measures to prognose regulation ability

Learn more about Keith

Chui-De Chiu, Ph.D.

Chinese University of Hong Kong
2018 – 2020

Self-representation in BPD

Learn more about Chui

Sandra Sanchez Roige

Sandra Sanchez-Roige, Ph.D.

University of California, San Diego
2019 – 2020

A genetic study of impulsive behavior

Learn more about Sandra

Christian Ebbesen, Ph.D.

Christian Ebbesen, Ph.D.

New York University
2020 – 2021

Oxytocin and social behavior

Learn more about Christian

Takashi Sato, Ph.D.

Takashi Sato, Ph.D.

Medical University of South Carolina
2020 – 2022

Prelimbic cortex of the brain and impulsive action

Learn more about Takashi

Dr. Lois W. Choi-Kain

Lois W. Choi-Kain, M.D.

McLean Hospital
2021 – 2023

Next generation therapy: online psychoeducation and digital assessments

Learn more about Lois

Dr. Sarah Fineberg, expert BPD Researcher

Sarah K. Fineberg, M.D., Ph.D.

Yale University
2022 – 2024
(2nd YI grant)

Assaying Social Cognition to Define Mechanisms of Recovery in BPD
Learn more about Sarah