UBC Okanagan to become home to national health institute
Dr. Mary Jung, a Professor in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences, will serve as Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes for a four-year term.
UBC Okanagan researcher Dr. Mary Jung is taking over leadership of one of the 13 institutes that make up the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), enabling her—and UBCO—to play a key role in advancing health research across the country.
Dr. Jung, a Professor in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences, was appointed Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD) for a four-year term, beginning January 1, 2026.
The appointment will see the INMD, currently located at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, relocate to UBCO’s campus for the duration of her leadership appointment, making UBCO a hub for health research and impact in Canada. It marks the first time UBCO has hosted a national institute.
“Having the opportunity to champion and support health research, knowledge mobilization and capacity development is an honour,” says Dr. Jung. “I’m looking forward to representing CIHR and working with Canada’s research communities, people with lived experience and partner communities to shape Canada’s health research priorities and give back to the health research ecosystem.”
Dr. Jung is one of Canada’s leading experts on the development and evaluation of evidence-based interventions to promote healthy behaviours and prevent chronic health conditions. She developed the diabetes-prevention program Small Steps for Big Changes, where diet and exercise modifications are used to reduce people’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. In partnership with the YMCA, the program is currently running in 50 cities in Canada as well as sites in Australia and Portugal.
In her role as scientific director, she will establish strategic priorities for research across the fields of nutrition, metabolism and diabetes, mentor the next generation of health researchers and advocate for researchers when establishing partnerships with national and international health agencies.
“Dr. Jung’s appointment is a well-earned recognition of her expertise and career and provides incredible momentum for UBC Okanagan,” says Dr. Suzie Currie, Vice-Principal and Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation. “Hosting a national CIHR institute on our campus further exemplifies UBCO’s commitment to strategic, impactful research. We are excited to be playing a key role in shaping the future of nutrition, metabolism and diabetes research in Canada.”
The position helps highlight UBCO’S research impact in Canada, as well as internationally. As scientific director, Dr. Jung will help guide the strategic direction of Canadian health research, connect research communities and collaborate with funding agencies around the world. Having received CIHR support for her own research in the past, she says the opportunity to lead the institute brings a special significance.
“This is a dream come true. CIHR is internationally recognized as a leader in health research and scientific excellence,” she says. “They’ve helped shape and advance my research program, and I’m very grateful for the chance to now give back to the research world that has so often supported me.”