David Saunders

David Saunders, MD, PhD, is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Yale Child Study Center within the Yale School of Medicine. He holds dual training in medicine and Buddhist studies, with a PhD from Emory University and an MD from Weill Cornell Medical College. His research focuses on mindfulness-based interventions for childhood ADHD and integrates Buddhist philosophy with neuroscience. He leads a clinical trial for a novel ADHD intervention under mentorship of Hedy Kober. Education includes a BA in theology from Boston College and Fulbright research in Nepal on Tibetan cultural perceptions of tuberculosis.

Research interests span attention disorders, child behavior, neurosciences, and the philosophical underpinnings of mindfulness. His work bridges clinical practice with contemplative traditions, particularly examining how Buddhist meditation theories inform modern therapeutic approaches. Publications span vaccine trials, vector-borne diseases, and interdisciplinary studies on mindfulness.

Current projects include a phase 2 clinical trial on chikungunya vaccines and studies on tick-borne pathogens. He collaborates with the Clinical and Affective Neuroscience lab at Yale. No specific awards are highlighted, though his work reflects innovative intersections between medicine, philosophy, and public health.