Research Services Office

General Inquiries

For general inquiries, please contact: Patti Minakis.

Or, contact one of our individual units:

Animal Care Services acc@uoguelph.ca - For submitting Animal Utilization Protocols (AUPs) and amendments to the Animal Care Committee (ACC); general inquiries and administrative matters related to AUP development, submission and review.

Research Ethics reb@uoguelph.ca - For submitting Research Ethics Board (REB) forms: REB Application, Amendment Form and Renewal Form; and inquiries for general and compliance questions.

Research Support Services research.services@uoguelph.ca - For inquiries about grants or contracts or to submit an OR5 form.

Strategic Programs and Infrastructure Grants  stratprg@uoguelph.ca - For matters relating to sponsors such as Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU), Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE), Canada Research Chairs (CRC).

Our People

Karina McInnis

Karina McInnis

Associate Vice-President (Research Services)
Office of the Associate Vice-President (Research Services)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Leads the development and management of the University-wide operational, planning, and policy framework related to the University of Guelph’s research endeavours and oversees the development and preparation of research initiatives with the federal tri-agency granting councils and other external research funding agencies.  Responsible for operational units within the Office of the Vice-President (Research Services) including the following: the Research Services Subcommittee; Research Support Services (Grants and Contracts); Research Ethics; Animal Care Services; Strategic Programs and Infrastructure Grants; Research Legal Review; Research Risk Management; Research Information Technology and Management Systems; and Research Analysis and Reporting.

Clinical Veterinarian (Vacant)
Animal Care Services
Office: 
Research Innovation (building #92)

Provides clinical and support services to researchers, facility veterinarians and facility managers working with livestock animals and horses; assists researchers with Animal Utilization Protocol (AUP) development; instructs in the Animal User Training program including mentor-facilitated training.

Compliance Coordinator (Vacant)
Animal Care Services
Office: 
Research Innovation (building #92)

Coordinates Animal Care Committee (ACC) facility site visits, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) inspections and Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) assessments and responses; Approves animal orders; tracks and reports animal use numbers to OMAFRA and the CCAC and manages the process for the approval of standard operating procedures in animal facilities.

Veterinary Director (Vacant)
Animal Care Services

Oversees the Animal Ethics and Compliance administration, the veterinary program, and provides clinical and support services to researchers working with laboratory rodents, small companion animals, fish, reptiles and amphibians; assists with Animal Utilization Protocol (AUP) development.

Research Ethics Coordinator (Vacant)
Research Ethics (Human Participants)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Coordinates all aspects of the Research Ethics Board (REB) review process for research involving human participants. Conducts proficient, critical reviews of protocols to ensure the highest ethical standards are met, as captured in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans, 2nd Edition (TCPS2). Provides guidance to researchers, as well as administrative support to the REB-General and REB-Natural, Physical and Engineering Sciences.

photograph of Laura Beaupre

Laura Beaupre

Director, Research Analysis and Reporting
Research Analysis and Reporting
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Leads development of systems to evaluate and report on all aspects of the University’s research performance by collecting, synthesizing, curating, and conducting analysis of research performance data from internal and external sources. Provides intelligence on research performance within the University. Oversees analytics process of the research enterprise.

photograph of Anna Bolinder

Anna Bolinder

Veterinarian and Director
Animal Care Services
Office: 
Research Innovation (building #92)

Oversees the Animal User Training program; the veterinary program for agricultural animals, and the Post-Approval Review program; provides clinical and support services to researchers and facility managers working with cattle, swine, sheep, poultry, horses and wildlife; assists with Animal Utilization Protocol (AUP) development.

photograph of Amy Bossaer

Amy Bossaer

Senior Grants & Contracts Specialist (on leave)
Research Support Services (Grants and Contracts)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437
Photograph of Andy Burke

Andy Burke

Information Technology Support Specialist
Research IT
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Provides a broad range of information technology support including: assisting with implementing, monitoring, updating and maintaining IT systems, software and solutions, including the website; diagnosing and solving end-user and IT problems related; and responding to requests for assistance, taking appropriate steps to resolve and alleviate problems to ensure continued services.

Kristen Campbell

Research Ethics Coordinator
Research Ethics (Human Participants)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Coordinates all aspects of the Research Ethics Board (REB) review process for research involving human participants. Conducts proficient, critical reviews of protocols to ensure the highest ethical standards are met, as captured in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans, 2nd Edition (TCPS2). Provides guidance to researchers, as well as administrative support to the REB-General and REB-Natural, Physical and Engineering Sciences.

Tom Crabtree

Analyst 2
Research IT
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Supports and maintains Office of Research specific IT programs and systems, including the Office of Research web site.

Donna Drohan

Ethics Education and Compliance Advisor
Research Ethics (Human Participants)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Responsible for the overall administration of a training, education and quality assurance monitoring program for research involving human participants. Shares ethics expertise, privacy knowledge and best practices with research areas. Leads the design and delivery of educational and training sessions, in addition to developing policies and procedures that comply with ethical standards of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans, 2nd Edition (TCPS2).

Ariah Easley

Awards & Agreements Officer
Research Support Services (Grants and Contracts)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Responsible for administrative review of research proposals and finalization of research awards and agreements for agencies and sponsors such as SSHRC (external and internal grants), NSERC USRA, sub-agreements and amendments, and other standard agreements.

Matthew Frontini

Manager, Legal Review
Research Legal Review
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Provides general legal review of research proposals, applications to sponsors and research agreements and contracts which present higher than normal risk to the University. Advises senior administration on legal matters pertaining to research. Provides Research Support Services (grants and contracts) staff with training and counsel in the review, drafting and negotiation of research-related legal agreements. First point of contact for research-related international agreements and MOUs.

photograph of Laurie Gallinger

Laurie Gallinger

Awards & Agreements Officer
Research Support Services (Grants and Contracts)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Responsible for administrative review of research proposals and finalization of research awards and agreements for agencies and sponsors such as CIHR, agricultural organizations and commodity organizations, transfer agreements and amendments, and other standard agreements.

photograph of Joanne Garcia-Moores

Joanne Garcia-Moores

Indigenization, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisor in Research
Office of the Associate Vice-President (Research Services)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Provides advice and leadership to integrate EDI and indigenization into the research enterprise. Leads the implementation of strategic projects to advance EDI and indigenization in research, such as those identified in the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy. Supports researchers from all disciplines to ask critical questions and incrementally advance EDI and indigenization over time. Builds networks of collaborators across campus to continue building a culture where EDI and Indigenization considerations are foundational in the development of research teams and research design.

photograph of Ailsa Kay

Ailsa Kay

Manager, Strategic Research Programs
Strategic Programs and Infrastructure Grants
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Provides administrative leadership for strategic research and infrastructure programs including Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU), Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE), Canada Research Chairs (CRC), Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) and major prestigious research honours and awards, such as Royal Society of Canada (RSC), Trudeau Foundation, Killam, and others.

Vanessa Knox

Awards & Agreements Officer
Research Support Services (Grants and Contracts)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Responsible for administrative review of research proposals and finalization of research awards and agreements for agencies and sponsors such as Mitacs, NSERC (Research Tools and Instruments (RTI), Discovery, PromoScience), and animal-focused commodity organizations, sub-agreements and amendments, and other standard agreements.

Rachel Lee

Senior Grants & Contracts Specialist (secondment covering Amy Bossaer until September 2024)
Research Support Services (Grants and Contracts)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Responsible for administrative review of research proposals, as well as negotiation of research agreements for agencies and sponsors such as NSERC (Alliance, CREATE, special calls), and New Frontiers in Research Fund – Exploration Grants, and non-standard collaborative or service research agreements, sub-agreements, and amendments.

photograph of Lena Levison

Lena Levison

Clinical Veterinarian (currently on secondment)
Animal Care Services
Office: 
Research Innovation (building #92)

Provides clinical and support services to researchers, facility veterinarians and facility managers working with livestock animals and horses; assists researchers with Animal Utilization Protocol (AUP) development; instructs in the Animal User Training program including mentor-facilitated training.

Martha Manning

Post-Approval Review Coordinator
Animal Care Services
Office: 
Research Innovation (building #92)

Leads and coordinates the Post-Approval Review (PAR) program for Animal Utilization Protocols (AUPs); conducts review visits to labs and facilities to provide support and guidance for research teams; assists and trains at the research team and facility level for compliance and consistency in research outcomes.

photograph of Deepa Menon

Deepa Menon

Animal Ethics Coordinator
Animal Care Services
Office: 
Research Innovation (building #92)

Coordinates the Animal Utilization Protocol (AUP), Amendment and Renewal review and approval processes including the assignment of reviewers and organization of reviewer queries and Principal Investigator responses; Organizes, sets agendas and takes minutes for Animal Care Committee (ACC) meetings.

photograph of Patti Minakis

Patti Minakis

Process Clerk
Office of the Associate Vice-President (Research Services)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

First point of contact for submission of and initial processing of research grant and award applications, including OR5 Forms, and research contractual agreements.  Patti will inform researchers to whom their submission is assigned within the Research Services Office for further review and processing. 

photograph of Maka Natsvlishvili

Maka Natsvlishvili

Training Coordinator
Animal Care Services
Office: 
Research Innovation (building #92)

Develops, implements and coordinates the Animal User Training program for all personnel working with animals; instructs in workshops and orientations; assesses training and educational requirements and needs for personnel; organizes and provides mentor-facilitated training in specific skills.

Carolyn Osborn

Director, Research Support Services
Research Support Services (Grants and Contracts)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Administrative leadership for the Research Support Services (Grants and Contracts) unit. Responsible for managing all aspects of pre-award and non-financial post-award grants and agreements, including developing and recommending policies/guidelines for an efficient administrative operation. Responsible for oversight of pre-award compliance with federal, provincial and private agency guidelines and regulations.

photo of Milka Popov

Milka Popov

Manager, Research Projects
Office of the Associate Vice-President (Research Services)
Office: 
Crop Science Building, Room 421

Oversees planning and coordination of educational offerings such as the Faculty Information Exchange Series, Graduate Research and Program Management course, and sponsor workshops as well as completes special projects for the Research Services Office. Affiliated with the Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre.

photograph of Jill Rogers

Jill Rogers

Managing Director, Research Operations
Office of the Associate Vice-President (Research Services)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Provides operational leadership and managerial oversight within the Research Services Office and strategic support to the Associate Vice-President (Research Services).  Responsible for planning, priority setting, operational performance and relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Devon Staaf

Senior Grants & Contracts Specialist
Research Support Services (Grants and Contracts)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Responsible for administrative review of research proposals, as well as negotiation of research agreements for agencies and sponsors such as Ontario Centres of Innovation (OCI), Genome Canada/Ontario Genomics, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and other federal government units, and non-standard collaborative or service research agreements, sub-agreements, and amendments. 

photograph of Sascha Tuuha

Sascha Tuuha

Program Manager
Animal Care Services
Office: 
Research Innovation (building #92)

Leads and manages the Animal Ethics & Compliance subunit, overseeing the University’s Animal Care and Use program including the Animal Utilization Protocol (AUP) approval process, Animal Use tracking, Animal Care Committee (ACC) activities and compliance with Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) requirements.

Patricia Van Asten

Awards and Agreements Officer
Strategic Programs and Infrastructure Grants
Office: 
University Centre, Rm 437

Provides administrative and logistical support for strategic research and infrastructure programs including Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities, Canada Research Chairs (CRC), Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC), Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) and University of Guelph Major Proposal Development Grants (MPDG).   Also provides pre-award application support (i.e., administrative review of proposals) and non-financial post-award services to researchers for various Sponsors.

Sonia Volder

Grants and Contracts Coordinator
Research Support Services (Grants and Contracts)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Responsible for the administrative processing of proposals and funded and non-funded research agreements, agreement finalization support (certificates of insurance, data verification, record maintenance), as well as the initiation of research account set up for activation by Research Financial Services.

Angela Vuk

Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist (on leave)
Research Support Services (Grants and Contracts)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Katelyn Wadleigh

Manager, Research Ethics
Research Ethics (Human Participants)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Administrative leadership for the development and delivery of the University of Guelph’s research ethics review process for research projects involving human participants and compliance with Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans, 2nd Edition (TCPS 2) and related legal requirements involving privacy and personal information. Administrative leadership for the Research Ethics Board (REB) and research ethics training.

photograph of Jennifer Wesley

Jennifer Wesley

Manager, Research Risk
Research Risk (Biohazards and Radiation Safety)
Office: 
Alexander Hall, Rm 175

Provides consultation and support for risks associated with research at the University including associated research policies and administrative procedures, legislated requirements and standards/guidelines. Contact for questions about Radiation Protection, Biosafety, Laboratory Safety, controlled research (Controlled Goods, Industrial Security, Cannabis), Biotechnology, and compliance.

photograph of Kristin Zimmermann

Kristin Zimmermann

Senior Grants & Contracts Specialist
Research Support Services (Grants and Contracts)
Office: 
University Centre, Room 437

Responsible for administrative review of research proposals, as well as negotiation of research agreements for agencies and sponsors such as SSHRC (Partnership Engage, Partnership Development), US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other US sub-grants, OMAFRA and other provincial government units, and non-standard collaborative or service research agreements, sub-agreements, and amendments.