Queen’s researcher Nicholas Held has been named Scientific Director of the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR), becoming the third person to lead the Senate-approved research institute since its founding at Queen’s University in 2010.

As Scientific Director, Dr. Held will guide CIMVHR’s research direction, partnerships, and knowledge mobilization work, supporting the institute’s mandate to advance research for military members, veterans, public safety personnel, and their families.

CIMVHR supports a national and international network focused on military and veteran health research. The network includes 51 Canadian universities and colleges, 15 global affiliates, and more than 1,700 researchers whose work helps inform policy, practice, and care. CIMVHR has secured extensive funding for its work, including from the Government of Canada, True Patriot Love, the Royal Canadian Legion, The War Amps, Perley Health, and Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation. 

CIMVHR’s work also reflects a broader strength at Queen’s in defence, security, and dual-use research, from cybersecurity and artificial intelligence to critical infrastructure, where researchers are advancing knowledge that supports Canada’s sovereignty while delivering benefits for communities.

Dr. Held brings direct experience with CIMVHR to the position, having previously served as Interim Scientific Director and Assistant Scientific Director.

“It’s a privilege to work alongside partners across academia, government, industry, and the philanthropic sector – each bringing unique strengths and perspectives. says Dr. Held." Together, we are united by a shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of military personnel, Veterans, and their families, and I’m incredibly proud to contribute to that mission.”

Dr. Held’s appointment draws on a career grounded in rehabilitation, mental health, and military and Veteran-focused research. He was recently appointed Assistant Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s, where his research focuses on improving well-being, injury and pain management, and recovery among Canadian Armed Forces personnel and Veterans. His clinical experience supporting Canadian Armed Forces Veterans living with chronic pain gives that work a direct connection to the communities CIMVHR serves.

He also serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of CIMVHR’s Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, extending his contributions to military and Veteran health research through the institute’s peer-reviewed journal. Dr. Held also previously had a position as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University.

The appointment follows the leadership of founding Scientific Director Dr. Alice Aiken (2010–2017) and Dr. David Pedlar (2017–2024), adding to CIMVHR’s history of leadership at Queen’s.