JENNIFER O’LOUGHLIN

Dr. Jennifer O’Loughlin’s research program aims to increase understanding of the genetic, socio-demographic, psychosocial, lifestyle and environmental risk factors for the childhood determinants of adult chronic disease, and to assure incorporation of this new knowledge into public health programming and clinical practice. Her program, which encompasses studies ranging from inquiry into the genetic origins of risk, to evaluation of policies to prevent or reduce risk in youth, is based on four ongoing projects: i) a prospective investigation of grade 7 students, to study the natural history of nicotine dependence; ii) a cohort study of children at high risk for diabetes, to investigate the natural history of obesity and insulin resistance, iii) a longitudinal study of grade 5 children as they transition to secondary school; and iv) a national survey of public health organizations to describe capacity in Canada for the prevention of chronic disease. Dr. O’Loughlin’s research recognizes and emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary research that is well grounded in the public health reality. Dr. O’Loughlin is a Canada Research Chair in the Early Determinants of Adult Chronic disease and she heads an Interdisciplinary Capacity Enhancement (ICE) Team in tobacco control research with a total of 35 researchers and students.