It is with great pleasure that we welcome Dr. Sarah Lippé as the incoming KBHN Researcher Representative to join the Board.

Lippé, who is a researcher and a neuropsychologist, brings a wealth of experience to the role. Currently, a full professor in the Psychology Department at the University of Montreal and the Deputy Head of the Brain and Child Development axis of research at CHU Sainte-Justine.

As the Researcher Representative to the KBHN Board, Lippé will represent the perspectives of the Network Researcher Community as well as inform researchers of important Board decisions critical for Network opportunities and strategic investment.

“As a new member of the KBHN Board of Directors, I will be representing KBHN researchers. I am grateful to the researchers for the opportunity to act as their voice and to vote accordingly.”

Lippé is also a mother of a child with neurodevelopmental disorders and was amongst the first to advocate for novel strategies in assessing outcomes in clinical trials that aim to improve cognition in children.

With regards to her research, Lippé studies risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders and the diversity of trajectories of outcomes. She is currently leading EEG phenotyping of two international Fragile X Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder clinical trials. She notes that all these experiences will also inevitably colour her contribution to the KBHN Board.

“My contribution as a board member will primarily be research-related. As such, I will bridge information and relevant decisions and context between the Board of Directors and the PI community.”

KBHN Board Chair, David Kuik, wasted no time in expressing his pleasure at Lippe’s appointment.

“I am delighted that Dr. Lippé is the Researcher Representative to the Board,” said David Kuik, KBHN Board Chair. “Her expertise and lived experience, along with her history with KBHN, gives her a deep understanding of our mission.  I look forward to her contributions to KBHN’s Board in this role.”

The Kids Brain Health Board, administration and staff also wish to extend our thanks and appreciation to Dr. Jennifer Zwicker Ph.D., the immediate past representative, for her dedicated and active service in representing our researchers on the Board of Directors.

Dr. Zwicker was an excellent liaison for the Board, instituting practices that helped to inform and connect the community with Board activities and decisions. Zwicker has now moved onto the role of Deputy Scientific Officer. She will be supporting current Chief Scientific Officer, James Reynolds, in the research and training related initaitives of KBHN.

Please join us in offering Dr. Lippé a warm welcome, and Dr. Zwicker, a heartfelt thank you but not goodbye.