Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day
Bridging Mind and Body: Innovations in Mental Health Research
Date and Time: Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This event is free to attend.
About this Event:
Please join us for the Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day (JMHRID), held in-person at the Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre in London, Ontario on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025 between 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time).
This year’s theme is “Bridging Mind and Body: Innovations in Mental Health Research” and will feature a keynote speaker, oral and poster presentations and awards.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day, participants will be able to:
- Identify and discuss innovative basic, clinical, and population-level mental health care and substance misuse research being conducted locally;
- Demonstrate enhanced familiarity with research being conducted locally on the etiology, pathophysiology, prevention, intervention, service delivery, recovery and rehabilitation of mental disorders;
- Reflect upon diverse methodological approaches to conducting innovative and impactful research in mental health care;
- Consider the potential value inherent in academic, healthcare, community, advocacy, and policy partnerships in enhancing mental health care, research, and service delivery;
- Analyze the interconnectedness of physical health and mental health.
Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day is co-hosted by the Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Lawson Research Institute, St. Joseph’s Health Care London; and London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute.
Agenda
8:30am-9:00am - Doors Open - Coffee/Tea and Light Continental Breakfast and sign-in at Welcome Desk
9:00am-9:45am
Room: Crystal North
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Land Acknowledgement
Welcome
- Dr. Arlene MacDougall - Director of Research, Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, Director of Research and Innovation for Mental Health Care, St. Joseph's Health Care London, Lawson Research Institute
- Jeremy Burton, PhD – Interim Vice President, Research and Scientific Director, Lawson Research Institute, St. Joseph's Health Care London
- Dr. Chris McIntyre – Interim Vice President, Research and Scientific Director, London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre
- Dr. Patricia Hall, Interim Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
- Indigenous Elder Opening - Hallie Abram, Wampum Learning Lodge, Western University
9:45am-10:40am
Room: Crystal North
Keynote Presentation
“Mood, Microbes and Innovation in Mental Health”
Dr. Valerie Taylor, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Professor and Department Head, Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the history of the gut brain axis in mental illness
- Describe the links between the gut microbiome and mood disorders
- Identify the opportunities and challenges of innovation in drug discovery in mental health
10:40am-11:00am
Room: Crystal North
Keynote Question and Answer Period
11:00am-11:15am - Break
11:15am-12:15pm - Oral Presentations - Concurrent Session A
12:15pm-1:30pm - Lunch and Poster Session (Presenters please be at your poster 12:45pm-1:30pm for judging)
1:30pm-2:30pm - Oral Presentations - Concurrent Session B
2:30pm-2:45pm - Break
2:45pm-3:45pm - Oral Presentations - Concurrent Session C
3:45pm-4:00pm - Closing Remarks, Prizes, and Awards Presentation
Dr. Arlene MacDougall – Chair of the Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day Scientific Planning Committee
Light refreshments and lunch will be provided.
25% of this program is dedicated to participant interaction.
This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by Continuing Professional Development, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University. You may claim a maximum of 4.25 hours (credits are automatically calculated). Each participant should claim only those hours of credit that they actually spent participating in the educational program.
Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day is co-hosted by the Department of Psychiatry (Western University), St. Joseph’s Health Care London, London Health Sciences Centre, Lawson Research Institute, and London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute.
This program has received no commercial support.
Location & Details
Location: Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre 591 Wellington Rd, London, ON N6C 4R3
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