Who We Are

We believe in the collective power of our donors to support the most impactful research. Driven by our loved ones’ stories, we are determined to pioneer the most innovative brain research.

Our Mission

Brain Research Foundation exists to accelerate discoveries of the human brain by funding pioneering neuroscience research.

With every donation we receive and every research grant we award, we come closer to better understanding how the brain functions through the innovative research of the nation’s top scientists — ultimately leading to novel treatments and prevention of all neurological diseases.

Our Vision

To improve lives through new treatments and cures for all neurological disorders.

Our Values

Visionary Perspective

We keep our eyes fixed on the constantly evolving landscape of brain research. We boldly support inventive, high-impact opportunities with the aim of accelerating discoveries to obtain treatments and cures.

Inherent Empathy

Those who join our ranks rarely do so by chance – their involvement is intentional and often emotional. We embrace these passionate donors and researchers wholeheartedly and welcome them with enthusiastic support and understanding.

Healthy Curiosity

We are problem solvers, vanguards and innovators. We approach all that we do with a growth mindset, attracting those who share in our unwavering optimism and enterprising spirit.

Thoughtful Investments

We understand it’s not just about where our investments go, but also where they’ve come from. We build purposeful, long-lasting relationships to inspire continued growth and operate with financial transparency to ensure the maximum impact of our investments.

Founding Story

BRF began with three neuroscientists and two businessmen with a family connection to brain illness. Now, more than 60 years later, a commitment to research and our loved ones are still at the heart of what we do.

Our Leadership

The leadership at the Foundation is passionate about supporting the most impactful research.

Terre A. Constantine, Ph.D.
Executive Director and CEO
Terre A. Constantine, Ph.D. is the Executive Director and CEO of the Brain Research Foundation. Terre is dedicated to BRF’s mission because of her background as a trained scientist. She understands the importance of research and the difficulty in obtaining funding for innovative ideas. She earned her Ph.D. from The University of Pittsburgh Medical School in the Department of Pharmacology with a focus on drug addiction and stroke. She continued her research at The Scripps Research Institute where she studied neuroregeneration.

Terre A. Constantine, Ph.D. is the Executive Director and CEO of the Brain Research Foundation. Terre is dedicated to BRF’s mission because of her background as a trained scientist. She understands the importance of research and the difficulty in obtaining funding for innovative ideas.

Like so many, Terre’s family was touched by neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. But when her mother was diagnosed with a brain tumor, a glioblastoma, that is when her world changed. No longer was she just passionate about BRF because she was a neuroscientist. She was passionate about it because she saw her mother quickly succumb to a ravaging brain tumor that took her ability to talk, write, walk and finally took her life. And like so many that have been down this devastating road, she wants to make sure that someday others will not have to see a loved one’s heartbreaking struggle.

Terre strongly believes that supporting scientific research will lead to new treatments and cures. There are so many talented researchers with innovative ideas, funding sometimes is the only thing that is halting progress and breakthroughs. She is excited to be part of the evolution of science.

Terre A. Constantine earned her Ph.D. from The University of Pittsburgh Medical School in the Department of Pharmacology with a focus on drug addiction and stroke. She continued her research at The Scripps Research Institute where she studied neuroregeneration.

Sandra D. Jaggi
Director of Philanthropy
Sandra D. Jaggi is responsible for philanthropy at the Foundation. With 26 years-experience in fundraising, she focuses on donor relations, annual giving, prospect research, major gifts, grant writing and planned giving. Her prior experience includes fundraising at the Art Institute of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. 

Sandra D. Jaggi is responsible for philanthropy at the Foundation. With 26 years-experience in fundraising, she focuses on donor relations, annual giving, prospect research, major gifts, grant writing and planned giving. Her prior experience includes fundraising at the Art Institute of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. 

After many years working in the arts, she decided to pivot mid-career when learning about an opportunity at Brain Research Foundation. She is very passionate about the mission of BRF due to extensive family history with brain related diseases and disorders. Her father suffered from depression and eventually took his life while she was a teenager. Her younger sister is mentally challenged and is cared for in an assisted living facility, and her stepfather died in 2012 from ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease. Most recently her father’s brother, Sandra’s uncle, also took his own life in 2020.

With so much suffering she knew she had to be a part of an organization dedicated to pioneering brain research because greater understanding of the brain in its entirety will lead to quicker treatments and cures for those afflicted by any neurological condition or disease.

Annual Impact Report

Our annual reports provide an overview of our most recent developments and offer insight into the types of projects we support. While each report highlights the achievements of a few outstanding researchers, we’re immensely proud of all our grant recipients and will continue to fund top-quality science that produces tangible results for years to come.

Recent Successes

We support the most promising neuroscience research being conducted. With your help, we fund researchers so they can make great strides toward treatment and prevention.

  • #Alzheimers
  • #brainresearch
  • #neuroscience
Aimee Kao, M.D., Ph.D.

BRF Accelerates a Lab and Career

Dr. Aimee Kao generates human cell lines to model neurodegenerative disorders The BRF Seed Grant was crucial in establishing us as a lab that is leading the work on neuroregeneration…

  • #brainresearch
  • #depression
  • #neuroscience
Ravi Allada, M.D.

Sleep Disorders and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Ravi Allada, M.D., Professor of Neurobiology at Northwestern University, is interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying circadian rhythms and their links to various clinical disorders, including insomnia, depression and even…

  • #Alzheimers
  • #brainhealth
  • #Parkinsons
Dr. Krishnan, Ph.D.

High Impact

“The BRF Scientific Innovations Award allowed us to do bold, transformative work for which there was no precedent. I am grateful that BRF takes risks on innovation.”