Dr. Robert James Richard Blair is a preeminent cognitive neuroscientist and Director of the Center for Neurobehavioral Research at Boys Town National Research Hospital, where he leads innovative investigations into the neural mechanisms underlying childhood behavioral and mental health disorders. After earning his Ph.D. in Psychology from University College London in 1993 under Professor John Morton, he was awarded a prestigious Wellcome Trust Mental Health Research Fellowship at the Medical Research Council Cognitive Development Unit. Dr. Blair subsequently advanced to the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, where he co-founded and co-led the Developmental Disorders group before being appointed Senior Lecturer. In 2002, he joined the National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program, establishing himself as a leading authority before assuming his current directorship at Boys Town in August 2016.
Dr. Blair's groundbreaking research employs advanced functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology to investigate the neurological underpinnings of mood and anxiety disorders, disruptive behaviors, and substance abuse in children and adolescents. His work has revealed critical insights into how neural circuitry differs in children exhibiting similar behavioral symptoms but with distinct underlying causes, challenging conventional diagnostic approaches in child psychiatry. By developing innovative assessment tools that identify specific neural correlates of behavioral difficulties, his research has established more precise pathways for targeted interventions that address root causes rather than surface symptoms. This approach has significantly advanced the field's understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders and informed evidence-based treatment protocols that improve clinical outcomes for vulnerable youth populations.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Blair serves as President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Psychopathy and as acting vice-chair of the Board of Scientific Advisors for the National Courts and Sciences Institute, where he bridges neuroscience with legal applications. He leads a multidisciplinary team of neuroscientists including Stuart White, Karina Blair, and Harma Meffert, whose collaborative work spans mood disorders, anxiety conditions, and digital therapeutics for youth mental health. Dr. Blair's vision of leveraging Boys Town's nationwide presence to rapidly translate research findings into clinical practice has positioned the institution at the forefront of neurobehavioral research with immediate practical applications. His ongoing work continues to refine personalized intervention strategies through brain imaging, promising to transform how America cares for children with behavioral and mental health disorders through scientifically grounded, individualized approaches.
