The School of Kinesiology & Health Science has announced the appointment of Dr. Ira Jacobs to the position of Chair, effective July 1.
A senior scientist at Defence Research & Development Canada-Toronto (formerly known as the Defence & Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine, Toronto), Jacobs will replace Roger Kelton, who is stepping down after 10 years in the position. Jacobs holds a Doctor of Medical Sciences degree from the prestigious Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden.
Right: Dr. Ira Jacobs
“I am very excited about Dr. Jacobs’ appointment,” said Harvey Skinner, dean of York’s Faculty of Health. “He brings outstanding academic credentials and leadership to the school as it undertakes significant new initiatives as part of the Faculty of Health.”
Jacobs has teaching experience at York and the University of Toronto. He became a full professor at the University of Toronto in 1997 and has supervised master’s and doctoral level graduate students at the school.
Jacobs also has an internationally recognized research record, with his work focusing on the health implications of nutritional and pharmacological interactions with physical exertion, physiological responses to environmental challenges and skeletal muscle metabolism. He has had more than 100 articles published in peer-reviewed journals, along with a range of book chapters, conference proceedings, reports and international presentations.
In addition to his work at Defence Research & Development Canada-Toronto, Jacobs is an adviser to the Canadian Space Agency, a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, and a former President of the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. He also has served on a range of scholarly journal and editorial boards.
Prior to his appointment at York, Jacobs held numerous leadership and administrative roles. He has served as vice-president of MuscleTech, a leading international sport nutrition company, and he gained administrative and managerial experience as the chief scientist of the federal government’s only human sciences research establishment, operated by the Department of National Defence. In the latter posting, he was responsible for more than 200 scientists, technicians, graduate students and staff.
Submitted to YFile by Mike Koreen, sport & recreation information officer in York’s School of Kinesiology & Health Science, Faculty of Health.