January 1, 2009 marked the beginning of my term in the role of Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD).  I am delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with the diverse research communities that fall within the INMD mandate.

As I embark on this path, I have been reflecting upon the impact that Dr. Diane Finegood made as the inaugural Scientific Director of INMD.  Her leadership and innovative vision throughout the first years of INMD have laid a solid foundation for future endeavours.  Her dedication to one single strategic initiative got obesity research noticed and put it on the radar of researchers, politicians and the general public.  Diane set the bar high and I am looking forward to upholding the institute's reputation for excellence.

Over the next year, I will be working with the INMD staff, the Institute Advisory Board (IAB), partners, and the research community to identify our next strategic research priorities.  In 2008, the IAB and INMD staff conducted an environmental scan to survey researchers and stakeholders.  In the coming months, we will analyze and validate the findings and share what we have learned with our community by way of a new strategic plan. 

If you have suggestions for research areas that you feel would benefit from targeted funding, you are welcome to write to me at the following email address sd.inmd@sickkids.ca.

I encourage you to stay connected with INMD by visiting us at the new CIHR website.  In addition to the new website, the INMD monthly newsletter was relaunched at the end of January 2009.  Please contact melanie.bergeron@cihr-irsc.gc.ca be put on the newsletter e-mailing list.

Over the next year, I am eager to meet with researchers, partners and stakeholders to identify our new strategic research priorities.  As the new Scientific Director of INMD, I look forward to helping you enrich the life of Canadians by way of your research.

Sincerely,

Dr. Philip M. Sherman
Scientific Director
Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes

Biography of the Scientific Director

Previous Scientific Director