Dr. Jennifer Russell is the Executive Director of UNB's Institute of Population Health and President of the New Brunswick Chapter of the Canadian College of Family Physicians — roles that reflect a career built at the intersection of clinical care, public health leadership, and systems transformation.
After completing her Family Medicine Residency in 2001, Dr. Russell built expertise across the military, clinical family medicine, mental health, and addictions. From 2014 to 2018, she served as New Brunswick’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, where she honed her ability to navigate complex systems with empathy, foresight, and a deep commitment to prevention.
That foundation proved essential when she was appointed New Brunswick's Chief Medical Officer of Health in 2018 — a role she held through 2024, and one that would come to define a generation of public health in the province. Her steady, compassionate guidance through the COVID-19 pandemic earned her the trust of both policymakers and the public, and her broader contributions to provincial health were recognized with two defining honours: New Brunswick's Physician of the Year in 2020 and investiture into the Order of New Brunswick in 2021.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University, a Bachelor of Science from the University of New Brunswick, and a Doctor of Medicine from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She has been honoured with an honorary Doctor of Laws from Mount Allison University and an honorary Doctorate in Health from Université de Moncton. She also brings this academic lens into the classroom as a frequent guest lecturer at Université de Sherbrooke's Moncton campus, and has guest lectured at Harvard University — a testament to the international resonance of her work.
At the Institute, Dr. Russell continues to champion prevention, equity, and systems transformation, bridging science and story to build healthier, more connected communities. But the full picture of who she is extends beyond titles and publications. She is a composer and songwriter, a certified yoga teacher, and a proud mother of two children who both attend UNB.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.
Dr. Oladipo Olanrewaju Ogunbode is a public health physician with over 18 years of experience in epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness and response, health security, and operational research. He previously served as Deputy Director, Divisional Head of Health Security Workforce, Training and Capacity Development and Country Coordinator of the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, where he led workforce development, emergency preparedness, and strategic public health programmes.
Dr. Ogunbode played key leadership roles in Nigeria's response to COVID-19, mpox, yellow fever, and other priority public health threats. He also served as Principal Investigator for the Nigeria Mpox Research Collaboration and contributed to global technical working groups focused on strengthening field epidemiology capacity and institutionalising workforce development.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with national and international partners, including the World Health Organisation and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, to advance public health research, policy, and health systems strengthening.
Dr. Ogunbode is a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians in Community Health and holds an MSc in Epidemiology from the University of Ibadan. He has also completed leadership fellowships with the University of Washington, Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network at the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
He has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications in infectious disease epidemiology and global health.
Dominique Bourque is a communications and marketing professional known for her strategic, people-centred approach and her ability to bring clarity and momentum to complex projects. Born and raised in Fredericton, she spent a decade in Moncton while completing her studies in Communications (Public Relations) and Marketing at the Université de Moncton. Her time there strengthened her bilingual foundation and shaped her commitment to elevating meaningful stories across New Brunswick.
Dominique’s career spans multiple sectors, including sport, corporate communications, and the nonprofit world. Throughout her work, she has helped organizations strengthen their public presence, deepen community engagement, and build communications strategies that reflect both purpose and authenticity.
Whether she is exploring narratives, guiding stakeholder relationships, or supporting organizational development, Dominique is known for her calm leadership, thoughtful collaboration, and creative problem-solving. Her work is grounded in a strong belief that effective communication can bring people together, spark change, and build healthier, more connected communities.
Beyond her professional life, Dominique enjoys staying active, and exploring new recipes in the kitchen, both activities that help her recharge and stay grounded.
Ehinomen Omoh is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Practitioner with over 13 years of experience in finance, operations, and strategic management across the oil and gas, consulting, and research sectors. She is currently pursuing an MBA in Management Analytics at the University of New Brunswick (UNB).
Ehinomen currently supports Finance operations and research administration at the Institute of Population Health (IPH), UNB, where she contributes to project management, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and organizational growth. Prior to joining UNB, she held senior finance roles with Shell Nigeria, Drillog Petro-Dynamics, and Silverbird Group, leading financial planning, performance management, audit, and compliance initiatives.
She is passionate about using data, innovation, and collaborative leadership to drive organizational excellence and create meaningful community impact.
Jennifer Clarke is a research assistant with a background in medical sciences and global health. Her research experience includes gender-based violence, health equity, and community-engaged research, with a particular interest in ethical and participatory approaches to working alongside marginalized communities.
Born and raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Jennifer completed her post-secondary education at Western University in London, Ontario. She earned a Bachelor of Medical Sciences with an Honours Specialization in Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences, followed by a Master of Management of Applied Science in Global Health Systems. As part of her master's degree, Jennifer completed an international internship with the Rakai Health Sciences Program in Kalisizo, Uganda, where she gained experience in global health research and cross-cultural collaboration. In the fall of 2026, Jennifer will begin the Juris Doctor program at the University of New Brunswick, where she hopes to further explore the intersection of law, health, and social justice.
Jennifer brings a strong health equity lens to her research and is passionate about developing policies and practices that better serve diverse communities. She has experience navigating the ethical considerations of conducting research with marginalized populations and recognizes the importance of meaningful community engagement throughout the research process. Her interdisciplinary training has given her a nuanced understanding of how health, legal, and social systems are deeply interconnected, allowing her to critically examine how policies function in practice and where they may fall short. Jennifer is committed to advancing evidence-informed approaches that promote equity, justice, and improved outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Outside of her academic and research pursuits, Jennifer enjoys hiking, running, and skiing. She can often be found exploring the trails and coastline of Fundy National Park on the southern coast of New Brunswick.
