We are delighted to announce that Dr. Patricia Conrod, Director of SENSUM, has been appointed as the new Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA).
Dr. Conrod is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking work on neurocognitive and personality risk factors associated with substance use and mental disorders. Her research has significantly advanced our understanding of how social media and cannabis use impact adolescent brain development and mental health, influencing both national and international policies.
At the Université de Montréal, Dr. Conrod holds the Canada Research Chair in Preventive Mental Health and Addiction. She leads a comprehensive research program at the Centre de recherche Azrieli du CHU Sainte-Justine, utilizing advanced brain imaging technologies. As the founder and co-director of the Centre IMAGINE, a pediatric brain imaging facility, and as Director of SENSUM, she has been instrumental in fostering interdisciplinary collaborations to advance mental health research.
One of her notable contributions is the coVenture cohort study, initiated in 2011, involving 3,800 middle and high school students in Montreal. This study evaluates cognitive and behavioral interventions aimed at reducing the risk of substance use problems among youth and examines the effects of adolescent substance use and screen time on mental health and cognitive development.
In her new role at INMHA, Dr. Conrod will guide CIHR’s health research priorities and investment strategies to enhance the health of individuals in Canada and globally. Her appointment is a testament to her dedication and leadership in the field of mental health and addiction research.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Conrod on this prestigious appointment and look forward to the continued impact of her visionary leadership on the future of mental health research.
This content has been updated on 14 March 2025 at 18 h 35 min.
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