When Minister Vijay Thanigasalam first visited CAMH for a tour of our Queen Street site in June this year, he promised he would be back soon. And just a mere few months later, he has come back eager to dive deeper into how CAMH leads and innovates in research.
Minister Thanigasalam, better known as Vijay to his constituents and everyone he meets, is the Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough-Rouge Park and the Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. When he came to CAMH in June to tour our Emergency Department, he got a first taste of some of the trailblazing rTMS research being done at the Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention.
When his team reached out to ask about a second visit to see even more research and science, we welcomed him with open arms.
This week, Vijay came back - this time to our College Street site. CAMH President and CEO Sarah Downey, Senior Vice President of Communications and Partnerships Lori Spadorcia, and Manager of Research Communications Lauren Clegg welcomed him for a research-focused tour. Their goal: to showcase how CAMH research is leveraging tools like brain imaging, pharmacogenetic testing and neuroinformatics & AI tools, as well as longitudinal studies like the TAY Cohort Study to advance precision modelling, improve personalized medicine, and empower system-level change.
The visit began in the Brain Health Imaging Centre, where Chief Radiochemist Dr. Neil Vasdev led a behind-the-scenes look at two cyclotrons, two PET scanners, and an MRI machine. These tools help researchers map brain structure and activity to develop new treatments for mental illness, addictions, neurological conditions, and better treatments for traumatic brain injuries.
The group then went up to the first floor to the Tanenbaum Centre for Pharmacogenetics to meet Dr. Jim Kennedy, Scientific Director. Established in 2012, the Centre studies how a person’s genes influence how they respond to medications, moving us away from trial-and-error prescribing toward personalized care that reduces side effects and improves recovery. Saliva-based testing can help determine which medication will work best for each patient, bringing us closer to personalized medicine.
At the Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics (KCNI), Vijay met Scientific Director Dr. Tristan Glatard and his team. They shared how they’re using big data, artificial intelligence, and brain modelling to better understand mental illness. KCNI is recognized globally for its open-science approach and leadership in integrating complex data to advance mental health care.
Finally, Dr. Nicole Kozloff, Director of the Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child, Youth & Family Mental Health, and Youth Engagement Coordinator Thalia Phi highlighted the one-of-a-kind TAY Cohort study. Tracking 1,500 youth over five years, the study examines how symptoms of mental illness develop, who is most at risk, and how to better support young people to improve their quality of life.
At CAMH, we remain committed to leading and investing in research that saves lives and strengthens Ontario’s health system. We were thrilled to welcome Vijay and his team and look forward to seeing them again - especially at the grand opening of the Temerty Discovery Centre in 2027 which will consolidate our research in one facility and further integrate research and clinical care across CAMH.