Office of Research Services

Provides pre-award application support (i.e., administrative review of proposals) and non-financial post-award services (i.e., review of agreements and account set up) for federal and provincial government, industry, not-for profit, other universities and international agencies. 

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.

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.

Responsible for administrative review of research proposals, as well as drafting and negotiation of research-related grant agreements and research contracts and management of Tri-Agency (NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR) and other funding sponsor programs such as CIFAR, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), Global Affairs Canada, European Commission, Grand Challenges Canada, Mitacs, Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), and OMAFRA opportunities available directly from OMAFRA (excluding Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance funding). Tri-Agency programs within Carolyn’s portfolio include NSERC programs: CREATE, Frontiers, Gender-NET Plus, Promoscience, Strategic Grants for Projects, Strategic Grants for Networks and SSHRC programs: Partnership Development Grants and Partnership Grants.

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.

Provides administrative leadership for strategic research and infrastructure programs including Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (MEDJCT), 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.

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.

Provides pre-award application support (i.e., administrative review of proposals) and non-financial post-award services (i.e., review of agreements and account set up) to researchers for SSHRC programs: Insight Grants, Insight Development Grants and Institutional Grants (SIGs); CIHR; NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA); Cystic Fibrosis; Canadian Cancer Agency; Heart and Stroke Foundation; Ontario Problem Gambling; Equine Guelph; US federal government agencies: National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Centers for Disease Control (CDC); and other arts, humanities, social sciences, health and veterinary-related grant programs. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Responsible for the administrative processing of proposals and funded and non-funded agreements as well as the initiation of research account set up for activation by Research Financial Services.

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.

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.