The Scientific Advisory Group

The Scientific Advisory Group

Are you a researcher interested in working with us on our initiatives?

Formed in 2011, the Scientific Advisory Group provides S2F with national research support.

The SAG is comprised of some of Canada’s leading researchers who have recognized our programs as a solution that comprehensively and effectively addresses the social determinants that impact the health, education, behaviour and, therefore, future of children living in poverty. They applaud the innovative way that Start2Finish addresses the health and development (physical, social, emotional, cognitive) of the children who participate.

(The) Running and Reading pan-Canada Initiative fills the void I was looking for, given what is known about exercise, neuroscience, the outdoors, skill building, and commitment to everyone being able to read. I don’t think it would be much of a stretch to say your initiative is akin to the Polio Vaccine in its ability to prevent crippling and (slow) death, providing a boost, not to the immune system, but to the “Vitality-Alive” system.

— Dr. Lee Ford-Jones

Meet the Scientific Advisory Group

  • Dr. Lee Ford Jones

    INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST AND CLINICAL RESEARCHER AT THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN (DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS) AND PROFESSOR OF PEDIATRICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

  • Dr. Jean Clinton

    CHILD PSYCHIATRIST AND ASSISTANT CLINICAL PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY AND BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCES AT MCMASTER UNIVERSITY, DIVISION OF CHILD PSYCHIATRY

  • Dr. Kristi B. Adamo

    PROFESSOR & SENIOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST FOR THE HEALTHY ACTIVE LIVING AND OBESITY RESEARCH GROUP (HALO) AT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF EASTERN ONTARIO (CHEO)

  • Dr. Brian Timmons

    ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & LEAD RESEARCHER AND DIRECTOR OF THE CHILD HEALTH AND NUTRITION CENTRE AT MCMASTER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

  • Dr. Stuart G. Shanker

    RESEARCH PROFESSOR EMERITUS OF PHILOSOPHY AND PSYCHOLOGY AT YORK UNIVERSITY AND FOUNDER/CEO OF THE MEHRIT CENTRE.

  • Dr. Faye Mishna

    PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO; PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK, HOSPITAL FOR SICK KIDS

  • Dr. Adele Diamond

    CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR PROFESSOR OF DEVELOPMENTAL COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY, UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLOMBIA; PROFESSOR, DIVISION OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY, BC CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

  • Dr. Douglas Willms

    PROFESSOR & DIRECTOR OF THE CANADIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL POLICY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK (UNB); FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA; FELLOW OF THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF EDUCATION; MEMBER OF THE US NATIONAL ACADEMY OF EDUCATION

  • Dr. Lyn Sharratt

    ADJUNCT PROFESSOR - DEPARTMENT OF LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING, OISE/UT

  • Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt

    PROFESSOR - FACULTY OF EDUCATION, UOTTAWA; CANADA RESEARCH CHAIR, CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA IN THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND THE SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY

  • Dr. John Cairney

    ASSOCIATE RESEARCH DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE; ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENTS OF FAMILY MEDICINE AND PSYCHIATRY AND BEHAVIOURAL