Phil Tibbo

Related information

• Director of Research, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University
• Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program (NSHEPP); Early Psychosis Intervention Nova Scotia (EPINS)
• Dr. Tibbo is the Dr. Paul Janssen Chair in Psychotic Disorders (Dalhousie University) and Clinical Director of EPINS (Nova Scotia Health)
• Past-President, EPI Canada (www.epicanada.org)

Education

• B.Sc. Honours - Mount Allison University, NB                        
• B.Med.Sc. - Memorial University of Newfoundland
• MD - Memorial University of Newfoundland
• FRCPC - University of Alberta, Psychiatry
• AHFMR - Clinical Research Fellow, University of Alberta Psychiatry

Research interests

Dr. Tibbo investigates early phase psychosis/schizophrenia in the areas of service delivery, comorbid substance use, neuroimaging (MRS, DTI), and non-pharmacological treatment options for schizophrenia.

Selected publications

• Waldren I, Senger B, Cookey J, Crowne M, Tibbo P.  (2022) Addressing Stigma and Promoting Help-Seeking Among African Nova Scotian Youth Experiencing Psychosis and Other Mental Health Problems. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 68(3), pp. 200-207.
• Senger B, Pencer A, Crocker CE, Simon P, Taylor B, Tibbo PG. (2024) The role of referral pathway to Early Intervention Services for psychosis on 2-year inpatient and emergency service use. Journal of Psychiatric Research. Volume 172, Pages 340-344.
• Snooks T, Tibbo, P.G., Romero-Sanchiz, P., DeGrace, S., Barrett, S., Bernusky, H., Stewart, S.H.  (2024) The roles of cannabis potency and gender in cannabis dependence and anxiety in recent cannabis users with trauma exposure histories. Pharmacological Research, Volume 212, February 2025, Article 107586.
• Ahrens J, Ford SD, Schaefer B, Reese D, Khan AR, Tibbo P, Rabin R, Cassidy C, Palaniyappan L. (2025) Convergence of cannabis and psychosis on the dopamine system: A longitudinal neuromelanin-sensitive MRI study in cannabis use disorder and first episode schizophrenia. JAMA Psychiatry, Vol 82, No. 6.
• Nosko JAM., Crocker CE., Hambly Lapointe C, Tibbo, PG. (2025) Cannabis use in adolescence and young adulthood and its effects on brain structure and function: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychiatry: Neuroimaging Volume 16 - 2025.

Selected awards and honors

• 2015 - Michael Smith Award, Schizophrenia Society of Canada, For research and leadership in schizophrenia
• 2017 - Champion of Mental Health Award (Researcher/Clinician category), awarded by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health
• 2018 - Prix d’excellence – Specialist of the Year (Region 5), Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
• 2025 - Special Recognition Award, Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, for unwavering reliability and leadership

Teaching

• Supervisor and co-supervisor of undergrad honours, MSc and PhD students

Service & Activity

• 2004 – 2010 Vice-Chair/Chair, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) Examination Committee and Board for Psychiatry
• 2012 – 2018 Chair, Schizophrenia Society of Canada Foundation
• 2016 – 2024 - President, Canadian Consortium for Early Intervention in Psychosis (CCEIP)
• 2017 – present - Scientific Advisor – “Cannabis and Psychosis” (cannabisandpsychosis.ca)
• 2021 – present - Chair, Board of Regents Student Affairs Committee - Mount Allison University