Personal profile
Research interests
The Saunders lab is interested in understanding the contribution of biological, psychological and social factors to the development, course of illness and treatment response in bipolar disorder and depression. Using research tools based in the lab as well tools to capture experience in day-to-day life, we study how biological and neural systems, stress, social factors and treatment delivery impact mood, physical health and functional outcome in bipolar disorder and depression. We translate this work into the clinical setting to improve diagnosis and outcome by studying the impact of systematic assessment and measurement-based care.
Clinical interests
Dr. Erika Saunders' clinical expertise is in diagnosing and treating mood disorders, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.
Professional information
American Association of Chairs of Departments of Psychiatry, President, 2022-2023
Fellow, American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacolgy, 2021
Fellow, American College of Psychiatrists, 2020
Board certification in Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, 2008
Licensed psychiatrist, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 2008
Education/Academic qualification
Public Health Sciences, Graduate Certificate, The Pennsylvania State University
… → 2014
Heinz C. Prechter Pediatric Bipolar Fellowship, University of Michigan
2006 → 2008
Psychiatry, Residency, University of Michigan
2001 → 2006
MD, University of Iowa
1996 → 2001
BS, University of Michigan
1992 → 1996
External positions
Board Member, American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology
2023 → 2031
Vice President of Governance, International Society for Bipolar Disorders
2020 → 2026
Program Committee Co-Chairperson, American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology
2018 → 2022
Executive Council Member, American Association of Chairs of Departments of Psychiatry
2017 → 2024
Associate Board Member, National Network of Depression Centers
2016 → …
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 2 Finished
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Peripheral and Central Mechanisms of Neurovascular Dysfunction in Human Depression
Greaney, J. L. (PI), Saunders, E. F. H. (CoI) & Alexander, L. M. (CoI)
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
4/1/17 → 3/31/19
Project: Research project
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Mechanisms of peripheral vascular dysfunction in human depression
Greaney, J. L. (PI) & Saunders, E. F. H. (CoPI)
7/1/16 → 6/30/19
Project: Research project
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Affective Responsivity and Cardiovascular Stress Reactivity in Depression
Darling, A. M., Dominguez, C. M., Mogle, J., Fadel, P. J., Saunders, E. F. H., Almeida, D. M. & Greaney, J. L., Feb 2026, In: Hypertension. 83, 2Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Affective Responsivity to Daily Stressors is Amplified in Young Females
Darling, A. M., Lee, S. A., Mogle, J., Saunders, E. F. H., Almeida, D. M. & Greaney, J. L., Feb 2025, In: Emerging Adulthood. 13, 1, p. 214-221 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
3 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Gender differences in affective reactivity to COVID-related daily stressors in mood and anxiety disorders: A six-month intensive longitudinal study
Mukherjee, D., Lee, S. A., Almeida, D. M. & Saunders, E. F. H., Dec 2025, In: PLOS Mental Health. 2, 12 December, e0000328.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Moderate-to-severe depression symptoms are associated with poorly controlled glucose levels in a real-world sample of individuals with mental illness and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Dhingra, R., He, F., Saunders, E. F. H., Waschbusch, D. A., Bixler, E. O., Greaney, J. L., Swigart, A. R., Al-Shaar, L., Chinchilli, V. M., Yanosky, J. D. & Liao, D., Jun 2025, In: Psychiatry Research Communications. 5, 2, 100208.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Negative affective responsivity to daily stressors in young adults: The influence of depressive symptom severity
Darling, A. M., Jang, H., Saunders, E. F. H., Almeida, D. M., Mogle, J. & Greaney, J. L., Jun 1 2025, In: Journal of Affective Disorders. 378, p. 90-99 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access3 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations
Prizes
Activities
- 1 Invited talk
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Developing the Office of Student Mental Health and Counseling
Saunders, E. F. H. (Speaker) & Holder, K. (Speaker)
2018Activity: Talk types › Invited talk