World-leading expert in youth substance use and mental health appointed CIHR Scientific Director
News release
March 13, 2025 — Ottawa, Ontario — Canadian Institutes of Health Research
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.
Quotes
“I am delighted to welcome Patricia Conrod to CIHR’s leadership team. Dr. Conrod has made significant advances in the area of substance misuse, including developing proven therapeutic interventions and harnessing new tools such as brain imaging to better understand the effects of substance misuse on brain development and mental health. Her leadership skills and track record of collaboration will be tremendous assets as we pursue our mandate to improve the health of Canadians.”
Dr. Paul Hébert
President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
“Throughout my career, CIHR has supported my vision to develop and validate novel intervention strategies to intervene earlier and with more precision around mental health and substance use disorders. As the new Scientific Director, I will remain committed to this vision by creating new opportunities for Canadian researchers to generate and rigorously evaluate bold ideas that stand to prevent suffering caused by neurologic, mental health and substance use disorders.”
Dr. Patricia Conrod
Incoming Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
“I am extremely proud of Dr. Conrod’s nomination as Scientific Director of CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction. Throughout her career, Dr. Conrod has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to academic excellence as well as strong scientific leadership. Her innovative vision of neuroscience and her unparalleled capacity to build cutting-edge infrastructure and multidisciplinary research collaborations will certainly represent a great asset to the Canadian research community. I am convinced that in this new strategic position, Dr. Conrod will further make significant contributions to research in neuroscience, mental health and substance misuse prevention, to the benefit of all Canadians.”
Dr. Jacques L. Michaud
Director, Centre de recherche Azrieli du CHU Sainte-Justine
“This appointment recognizes Professor Conrod's scientific excellence and builds on her leadership to support the development of Canadian research in neuroscience, mental health and addiction. Every day, we see the growing importance of these interconnected fields of research for our societies. Interdisciplinary and collaborative research remains our best ally in improving prevention and care for those in need as well as their families, and Professor Conrod is well-placed to continue CIHR's important work in these areas.”
Daniel Jutras
Rector of Université de Montréal
Quick facts
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CIHR is composed of 13 Institutes, spanning all areas of health research.
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Each Institute is led by a Scientific Director who is a leader in their respective field and has a mandate to champion and support health research, knowledge mobilization, and capacity development at the highest level of scientific excellence.
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Scientific Directors continue to be active researchers throughout their terms, devoting 50% of their time to CIHR and Institute duties and the remaining time to their research activities.
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Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada's health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.
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