Professor Ira Jacobs, dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) Honour Award, presented each year to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to exercise physiology in Canada.
CSEP is an organization composed of professionals involved in the scientific study of exercise physiology, exercise biochemistry, fitness and health. It was founded at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1967 - the result of cooperative efforts by the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Professor Jacobs was selected for the award on the basis of the scientific impact of his research portfolio, his national and international recognitions, and his notable contributions to CSEP and other scholarly and academic organizations.
“I frequently tell others about the tremendously positive scientific impact of Canadian exercise physiologists that is recognized internationally, an impact that is out of all proportion to our relatively small numbers,” said Jacobs, speaking from the award ceremony in Winnipeg. “Many researchers who have contributed to that impact are previous recipients of the CSEP Honour Award, so it is very humbling to now receive that same award.
“Whatever impact my research has had is a direct function of the supportive research environments where I have worked both in government and in academia, and the wonderfully creative colleagues and stimulating graduate students who have all pushed me beyond my comfort zone.”
Dean Jacobs is flanked by KPE students and faculty following the CSEP Awards ceremony in Winnipeg on October 27
Jacobs obtained his doctorate in clinical physiology from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden in 1981 and went on to became one of Canada’s leading exercise physiologists doing ground - breaking research adopted by scientists and coaches around the world.
For 25 years, he was a Canadian federal government scientist, using exercise physiology research to develop strategies to protect, augment and sustain the health and performance of Canadian military personnel working in physically demanding activities and/or harsh environments.
Jacobs led international research teams and was appointed to numerous international committees, from NASA to the UN.
He was recently also inducted as a Fellow of the distinguished Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and was previously named a fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Kinesiology (NAK) and the American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM). He was President of the Canadian Council of University Physical Education and Kinesiology Administrators, President of the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, and the Research Chair of the Canadian Association of Sports Sciences before the creation of CSEP.
Prior to accepting the role of KPE dean at the University of Toronto, Jacobs was professor and chair of York University’s School of Kinesiology and Health Science, from 2007 to 2010.