Patrick Bordnick

Patrick Bordnick, PhD, MPH, LCSW is a Professor at the Tulane School of Social Work, where he previously served as Dean from 2016 to 2024. He is a pioneer in applying virtual reality (VR) and disruptive technologies to behavioral health, particularly in substance use and autism interventions. His research is widely funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), with over $4.5 million in grants, and includes the development of VR-Project Δ and VR-Qualis Est Vita.

Education:

• PhD in Social Work – University of Georgia School of Social Work
• MSW in Clinical Social Work – University of Michigan
• MPH – University of South Florida
• BS in Psychology – Madonna University, Livonia, Michigan

Research Interests:
Dr. Bordnick specializes in virtual reality applications for clinical assessment and intervention in addiction and behavioral disorders. His work integrates technology with clinical social work to improve patient outcomes through immersive diagnostics and coping skill training. He has over two decades of experience in addiction research, focusing on cocaine, alcohol, opioids, and nicotine.

Publication Trends:
His recent publications center on mental health during and after public health crises (e.g., COVID-19), examining isolation, loneliness, and community support. Another major theme is the use of virtual environments for substance abuse treatment, reflecting his leadership in digital behavioral health innovation.

Scientific Awards & Recognition:

• Vitality Award for Innovation in Healthcare (2018, Not Impossible Awards)
• TEDx Talk: 'How can virtual reality help us deal with reality?' (2015)
• $1.2 million NIH/NIDA center grant
• Over $4.2 million in federal grants

Grants & Advising:
Dr. Bordnick has secured substantial NIH funding for drug abuse and behavioral health research. While no formal student advisees are listed in the text, he leads large-scale research initiatives and has mentored through his lab and academic leadership roles. He founded the Virtual Reality Clinical Research Lab at the University of Houston and continues interdisciplinary research at Tulane.

Labs & Teams:
He established the Virtual Reality Clinical Research Lab (VRCRL) at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work (2007–2016), a state-of-the-art facility for studying behavior in immersive environments. At Tulane, he continues to lead research teams focused on VR applications in addiction and autism, collaborating across disciplines to advance clinical technology.