Message from Mary Jung, INMD Scientific Director
April 2026

I am delighted to share my enthusiasm for CIHR’s newly released Knowledge Mobilization Framework, which reflects a strong and sustained commitment to advancing the science of knowledge mobilization. From my conversations with researchers and international partners alike, it is clear that CIHR is widely regarded as a global leader in this space—setting standards for how evidence is generated, shared, and mobilized to improve health outcomes.

I also had the pleasure of attending the Obesity Canada Summit 2026 in Montreal last month, which showcased the remarkable breadth and depth of obesity research in Canada. I was particularly struck by the strong cross-disciplinary connections emerging across pathophysiology, behavioural and cognitive science, and public health—highlighting the complex, multifactorial nature of obesity and the importance of integrative approaches and improving care for people living with obesity. Fascinating presentations explored topics ranging from menopause, brain function, neurobiological deficits, immunometabolism, inflammation, and depression, to emerging treatment strategies involving the microbiome, combined behavioural and pharmacological interventions, nutrition, and novel pharmaceutical combinations such as amylin and GLP-1 receptor agonists. Additional highlights included discussions of sex-specific adiposity and cardiovascular risk in First Nations communities through the CanAlliance for Healthy Hearts and Minds First Nations study, ethnicity-specific obesity values for Asian adults in North America, and how developmental origins of adipose tissue shape metabolic risk across the lifespan.  Many of the sessions were grounded in lived experience and highlighted the detrimental effects of weight stigma across the lifespan and the resulting health consequences.

I very much look forward to continuing to connect with members of INMD’s research communities, learning more about emerging research directions, opportunities for growth, and the challenges ahead. Wishing everyone a happy and energizing spring.

Mary

Mary Jung, PhD
Scientific Director
Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes

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