Leading Innovation: Lena Quilty

In the most recent U.S. News & World Report – Best Global Universities Rankings, the University of Toronto ranked 16^th in the world, tied with Cornell, Princeton and the University of California San Francisco.  

U of T’s psychiatry and psychology offerings are ranked ninth globally, and number one program in Canada.

Associate Professor Lena Quilty, who is cross appointed to the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry and the Graduate Department of Psychological Clinical Science at U of T Scarborough, is one of the faculty members who contributes to Temerty Medicine’s commitment to innovation and mentorship.

Through her research, Quilty, who is also a Senior Scientist, Director of Research Training, and Chief of Psychology at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, works to identify risk and resilience factors linked with mental health and substance use, investigate mediators and moderators to response to evidence-based treatments, and evaluate new services and supports. She focuses on the role of personality and cognition factors, particularly within mood and substance use challenges in her research.

Recently, Quilty shared her thoughts on Temerty Medicine’s culture of excellence.

What makes Temerty Medicine a great place for you do this work?

The ability to connect to colleagues, trainees, and partners across disciplines who share a deep commitment to improving mental health and substance use health. The faculty brings together an extraordinary breadth of expertise spanning psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, and beyond. I’m constantly learning and finding new opportunities to collaborate.

I also value how much Temerty Medicine invests in research training and mentorship; it creates such a rich environment for developing the next generation. Most of all, there is a shared vision here, a drive to create scalable, equitable solutions and to translate research into real changes in people’s lives. That combination of excellence, collaboration, and purpose makes this a very special place to do the kind of work I am most passionate about.

How has mentorship helped you get to where you are?

My graduate and postdoctoral supervisors provided invaluable guidance in the early stages of my career, and I’ve continued to benefit from the mentorship of senior colleagues. Their own work was an inspiration, but their faith in me, as well as their encouragement, guidance, and sponsorship, has mattered the most.

Mentors have helped me identify and keep my focus, while nudging me to explore opportunities and growth experiences I might not have considered on my own. One key example is Professor Bruce Pollock, an exceptional leader in the field who goes above and beyond to support early career researchers like myself – we met regularly to discuss research directions, funding opportunities, and how to navigate institutional realities. His support was transformative for me. Just as clinical research takes a village, I believe careers in clinical research do too: mutual support, lifting each other up through successes, transitions, and inevitable struggles, is essential.

How are you mentoring or supporting the next generation?

Together with CAMH and the CAMH Foundation, I co-developed and launched the Koerner Centre for Research Training, the first centre in Canada dedicated to advancing training in mental health and addiction science. Guided by an advisory of scientists and trainees, we design and evaluate programs that include structured mentorship, trainee seminar series, skills workshops, and community-building events.

I also help secure funding for trainee awards and lead outreach and communications that highlight the breadth of training opportunities, many in partnership with Temerty Medicine and other partner hospitals.

Competency-based training is another priority, and I collaborate on the development of engaging, interactive curricula that prepare trainees for diverse career pathways.

Finally, I provide direct mentorship and supervision of clinical and research trainees and early career researchers, which remains one of the most rewarding parts of my role.

What the most fulfilling part of your role at U of T?

The people! Specifically, the colleagues, trainees, and knowledge users I’ve been privileged to work with. Within the hospital, I’m inspired by the patients who contribute to research and by the clinicians and teams who bring such dedication and expertise to advancing care.

U of T expands my opportunities to collaborate across disciplines even further—supporting team science with psychologists, psychiatrists, and neuroscientists, as well as with engineers, computer scientists, and other disciplines who bring fresh perspectives and new tools to complex problems.

I especially want to highlight trainees here: I feel fortunate to do research I find meaningful, but I know the impact of that work will be equalled, if not surpassed, by the discoveries and innovations of the next generation. Supporting their growth, and seeing them push the boundaries of what’s possible, is an incredibly rewarding part of my role.