Dr. Jennifer Phillips

Dr. Jennifer Phillips is the Interim Scientific Director and a Scientist at the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR) at The Royal. Working alongside the President and CEO, she contributes to the vision and strategic directions for the research institute, partnerships with the broader academic and healthcare community, and priorities to accelerate discovery and integrate research and care.

Dr. Phillips is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Ottawa, an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University, and co-leads the Mental Health Pillar of the University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute. She received her BSc from Brock University and her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Ottawa. Her expertise is in clinical neuroscience, with a focus on depression and suicide prevention. Her ongoing research investigates the biology of depression using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and peripheral biomarkers; tests the efficacy of ketamine to treat depression and suicidal ideation in patients resistant to other forms of treatment; and leverages electronic medical record data and machine learning to predict suicidal behaviours. She has received grant funding from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, and the University of Ottawa Medical Research Fund.