Dr. Jacobs is the inaugural Director of the Tanenbaum Institute for Science in Sport. A tenured professor, he recently completed 11 years as the Dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto. He previously served as the Chair of the School of Kinesiology & Health Science at York University in Toronto.

Dr. Jacobs has over 25 years of experience as a federal government scientist, having held progressively increasing scientific and executive level appointments within Defence Research & Development Canada (DRDC). He received his doctorate from the Department of Clinical Physiology at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, where he specialized in skeletal muscle metabolism. For the next 25 years he carried out extensive applied human physiology research and was appointed to roles with increasing leadership responsibilities at the Canadian federal government’s human sciences research centre operated by the Department of National Defence, where he attained the position of centre Chief Scientist. During that period, he received scientific research awards for his initiation and leadership of a unique international research group of physiologists and physicians who provided physiological support and advice about physiological, nutritional and pharmacological strategies to sustain and enhance the performance of military personnel. He has published over 200 scientific articles, reports and book chapters about his research interests, which include: performance enhancement through physiological, pharmacological and nutritional manipulation of metabolism, the physiological responses to physical exertion in environmental extremes, and energy metabolism.

He is a past President of the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, and was awarded its highest award for his career research achievements. He is an inducted Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the US National Academy of Kinesiology. He received the Canadian Peacekeeping Service medal from the Government of Canada for his work as a United Nations biological weapons inspector 1995-1998.

His senior leadership roles have been in the government, academic and business/industrial sectors and have included managerial, administrative, and fiduciary responsibilities and accountabilities for large numbers of scientific, technical, administrative, and academic staff. He has also applied his expertise and knowledge in human physiology as a consultant to private, Canadian, and international government agencies.

<pDr. Joe Baker is a professor in University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education where he is the Tanenbaum Research Chair in Sport Science, Data Modelling and Sport Analytics. His research considers the varying influences on optimal human development, ranging from issues affecting athlete development and skill acquisition to barriers and facilitators of successful aging. Joe is Past President of the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology and the author/editor of 13 books and over 300 scientific publications. www.bakerlab.kpe.utoronto.ca

Daniel Moore is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto and a member of the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and American College of Sports Medicine. His research explores the interplay between exercise and nutrition, with a focus on dietary protein and amino acids, and how the two can be used to optimize the quantity and quality of muscle across a range of different populations including youth, athletes, and older adults. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers, received the American Society for Nutrition’s Young Investigator Award in 2012, and is now internationally recognized for the creative methodological approaches to assessing the incorporation of ingested protein into skeletal muscle contractile protein.

Catherine Sabiston is a Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto and holds a Canada Research Chair in Physical Activity and Mental Health. Catherine is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and is an international leader in sport and exercise psychology research. Prof. Sabiston has secured over $32 Million in funding for her multidisciplinary and mixed-methods research and has published nearly 400 research articles and book chapters with a specific enduring interest in girls’ and women's sport, exercise, and health. Her work is often featured in the media and has impacted programs, policies, and participation locally, nationally, and globally.

Dr. Andy Van Neutegem is currently the Vice President of Performances Sciences, Research & Innovation with Own the Podium. His responsibilities include overseeing research and innovation for Canadian high performance sport as well as contributing national leadership in the areas of data analytics, return to performance, injury surveillance, athlete and coach well-being, mental health, and building sport cultures of excellence. He is also currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia in their High Performance Coaching & Technical Leadership Master’s degree program.

From the period 1996-2006, Dr. Andy Van Neutegem worked in the UK in a number of sport leadership roles, And received his Doctorate in 2007 in athlete career transitions and athlete maladaptive behaviours from the University of Southampton, England.

He returned to Canada in 2008 to work for Canadian Sport Institute-Pacific as a High Performance Director, undertaking the Lead role in the Performance Readiness Division (Psychology, Research and Medical Services) of the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific.

Andy served as the High Performance Director of the National Wheelchair Rugby Team which he has held since 2008, and led the team to a bronze medal in Beijing 2008 and a silver medal in the London 2012 Paralympic Games, a silver medal at the World Championships in August 2014, and a fourth place finish in Rio 2016. In 2014-15, Andy also served in the role of General Manager with Hockey Canada responsible for the National Sledge Hockey Program, winning a silver medal at the Para-Ice Hockey World Championships.