Today, Dr. Paul Hébert, President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), announced that Dr. Patricia Conrod, one of the world's leading experts in youth substance use and mental health, has been appointed Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction for a term of four years, starting July 1, 2025.
Dr. Conrod is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work on neurocognitive and personality risk factors for substance use and mental disorders. Her research has also significantly contributed to understanding the harmful effects of social media and cannabis use on adolescent brain development and mental health, which has helped inform drug and online safety policies in Canada and internationally.
A Professor at Université de Montréal and the Canada Research Chair in Preventive Mental Health and Addiction, Dr. Conrod leads a major research program at the Centre de recherche Azrieli du CHU Sainte-Justine where her team conducts studies that use state-of-the-art brain imaging technology. She is the founder and co-Director of the Centre IMAGINE du CHU Sainte-Justine, a pediatric brain imaging facility, and Director of SENSUM, Université de Montréal's Strategy for Neurosciences and Mental Health.
Among her many accomplishments as a researcher and clinician, Dr. Conrod founded the coVenture cohort study in 2011. This study involves 3,800 middle and high school students at schools in Montreal. It has been used to evaluate cognitive and behavioural interventions to help young people manage their risk of developing substance use problems. The study has also provided opportunities to examine the impact of adolescent substance use and screentime on mental health and cognitive development.
As Scientific Director of INMHA, Dr. Conrod will guide CIHR's health research priorities and investment strategies to improve the health of people in Canada and around the world.
CIHR wishes to express its appreciation to Dr. Samuel Weiss, who has served as Scientific Director of INMHA for nearly eight years. During his tenure, Dr. Weiss has made a significant impact on research in Canada by advancing strategic initiatives in areas such as improving mental health services for youth and tackling the opioid overdose crisis. We thank Dr. Weiss for his strong leadership, commitment and collaboration and wish him well as he completes his term and looks forward to future endeavors.
