UCalgary expert named advisor for Health Canada

A Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) researcher and professor has been appointed to a senior advisory role on behalf of Health Canada, joining a network of experts providing advice on health and science matters to the federal government.

Dr. Valerie Taylor, MD, PhD, a psychiatrist and head of CSM’s Department of Psychiatry, was appointed departmental science advisor for Health Canada, effective Oct. 15. She will sit on a Departmental Science Advisors Network, a small expert panel that informs public policy, peer review initiatives, and promotes best practices in health and science. She will also advise federal government officials on science matters.

“Dr. Taylor’s appointment to Health Canada speaks to her commitment to advancing science-based evidence in national health policy,” says Dr. William Ghali, vice-president (research) for the University of Calgary. “We are exceptionally proud of Dr. Taylor for this accomplishment, and the contributions she will make to advancing health and wellness through innovative health solutions that benefit all Canadians.”

Taylor’s research interests include the gut microbiome and its potential impact on treating psychiatric illness. Her lab has more than 180 peer-reviewed publications and funding from a variety of national and international funding agencies. She was reappointed department head of Psychiatry at the CSM in 2023 and is one of only a few funded researchers in the world examining the therapeutic effects of fecal transplant in a clinical population.

Taylor will continue in her various roles with UCalgary throughout the appointment. The CSM asked Taylor questions about her newest appointment to get a deeper understanding of what it means to her and its impact on UCalgary’s mission to drive excellence and innovation in health research.

What do you hope to achieve in this new role?

I am excited to do what is the goal for many of us, which is to help influence health policy. This position provides a platform to be part of using science to inform key areas of health, which is an amazing opportunity. I think a key area for me is the concept of health literacy and really helping to share the amazing value the 3,800 scientists at Health Canada add to Canadians. I also look forward to engaging on issues like racism in science, sex and gender-based work and research ethics.

What attracted you to this opportunity?

I was excited about the opportunity to engage with the thousands of scientists at Health Canada and help be an advocate and champion for them. I was excited about the breadth and depth of work, and it really appealed to my key interests; science and meeting and connecting with people.  It also seemed to be a place where I could apply my background in governance, strategic planning and my love of translating science into something others can appreciate.

What does being asked to contribute your expertise to Health Canada as a departmental science advisor mean to you?

I honestly feel it is a privilege. I have always viewed leadership as me working for the people at the grassroots to allow them to succeed. Leadership is a service role, and now I get to do that for a much larger group. That’s fulfilling to me. I also love to learn. The learning curve here is steep, but the people I have engaged with are so committed to the Health Canada mandate it will be fun.

What does this appointment say about UCalgary's place in Canada's research ecosystem as a promoter of science-based evidence and contributor to health policy?

I think it says a lot. We have key leaders in many areas of health research and health policy, and I know my ability to interact with many of them helped me gain skills that supported my receiving this appointment. We have a vibrant research community, and the transdisciplinary work reflects a lot of what is evident at Health Canada.