Canadian College of
Neuropsychopharmacology

We are delighted to showcase our three keynote speakers who are scheduled to present at the CCNP Annual Meeting, 2024:

Dr. Christian G. Schütz

Professor (Partner), UBC Department of Psychiatry, Division of Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders
Head, Division of Substance Use & Concurrent Disorders, UBC Department of Psychiatry
Clinician Scientist, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health
Research, Education and Evaluation Medical Manager, Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction
Director Research Adult Mental Health and Substance Use, BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services, PHSA
Scientist, UBC Centre for Health Evaluation & Outcome Sciences (CHEOS)

Dr. Schütz’s main research interests focus on the clinical interventions and health service in substance use disorders and dual diagnoses (mental plus substance use disorders), as well as neurobiological and neurocognitive aspects of impulsive decision making.

His focus is on understanding mechanisms of relapse and impulsive decision-making to improve treatment of addiction and concurrent disorders; developing novel interventions focused on stimulant use disorders; and developing a more comprehensive integrated min/brain-based sound concept of motivation and decision making. Publications include over 160 research articles.

He has made over 250 presentations across Europe and North America, discussing the latest scientific findings about substance use disorders and concurrent disorders.

Dr. Schütz is also the Principal Investigator of the B.R.A.I.N.Lab.

Dr. Jibran Khokhar

Associate Professor
Canada Research Chair in Translational Neuropsychopharmacology
Anatomy and Cell Biology
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry
Western University
Faculty, Graduate Program in Neuroscience

Dr. Khokhar’s research aims to understand the mechanisms underlying co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorders, using a variety of behavioural, pharmacological and translational neuroimaging techniques. In addition, his research interests also include assessing the long-term effects of adolescent drug (e.g., cannabis) use, and how these effects might contribute to the risk for serious mental illness and addiction. Lastly, Dr. Khokhar is also very interested in profiling the pharmacokinetic parameters related to different routes of exposure to drugs like nicotine and cannabis, as well as the impact of development and sex on these profiles. His current projects include: Impact of Vapourized Drugs on Brain Circuit and Function Across Development, Preclinical Neuroimaging for Cp-Occurring Mental Illness and Substance Use in Animal Models and Treatment Development for Psychopathology and Addictive Disorders.

Dr. Isabelle Boileau

Associate Director and Senior Scientist
Brain Health Imaging Centre
Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Canada Research Chair in Endocannabinoid Imaging

Dr. Isabelle Boileau is a senior scientist and the Associate Director of the Brain Health Imaging Centre and Head of the Addiction Imaging Research Group at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).  She is a professor of Psychiatry and of Pharmacology and Toxicology and a member of the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto.

Areas of Research

Dr. Isabelle Boileau’s lab focuses on the use of translational imaging approaches (i.e.: positron emission tomography imaging (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) to help test novel, targetable mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders, specifically addictions and trauma –related conditions. As Canada Research Chair in Endocannabinoid Imaging, part of her research program actively investigates the role of the endocannabinoid system in mental health.