Scientific Advisory Board

Dr. Franco Vaccarino

Professor Franco Vaccarino is the ninth Principal of University of Toronto Scarborough & Vice-President of University of Toronto. He is a distinguished scholar, educator and an accomplished academic administrator.

Before assuming his leadership role at U of T Scarborough, Professor Vaccarino was chair of the Department of Psychology, University of Toronto. He is the past Head of the Neuroscience Program in the Department of Psychiatry at U of T, and past Executive Vice-President, Programs, and Vice President, Research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

He began his career at the University of Toronto in 1984 as an Assistant Professor at the Scarborough campus. Professor Vaccarino received his BSc from U of T and his MSc and PhD in Psychology from McGill University. He received his postdoctoral training at the Scripps and Salk Institutes in California (1983-1984). His expertise covers psychology, pharmacology and neuroscience.

With over 100 publications, Professor Vaccarino has received major awards from leading research and scientific organizations, including the Medical Research Council of Canada (MRC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Canadian College of Neuropsychopharmacology (CCNP). His major research focus in the area of neurobiology of stress and motivation is considered a model for bridging the neural and behavioral sciences.

Professor Vaccarino’s contributions to neuropsychopharmacology are extensive and have been recognized internationally. His prominence in the field was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in his role as the Principal Editor of the recently published Neuroscience of Substance Dependence report. This was the first authoritative report published in 2004 by the WHO on the biological basis of addiction.

His work has had great impact on current thinking about the psychological and neurobiological basis of motivation. He has been instrumental in helping to advance the academic research agendas at the provincial, national and international levels. As a researcher and academic leader, he has had a transformative effect on policy and strategy both locally and around the world. He is frequently invited to speak at major international conferences on these topics.

In addition to his scientific achievements, Professor Vaccarino has taught and mentored an exceptional group of students and researchers, many of whom have gone on to develop their own independent and successful careers in science and academia. Professor Vaccarino has been a member of a number of Boards and Advisory groups linked to key organizations including: Neuroscience Canada, Scientific Advisory Council of the CCSA, and the National Institute of Health in the U.S.A.