Office of Research Services

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.

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 ISTP Canada; Mitacs; NSERC programs: Engage, Connect, Discovery; SSHRC programs: Connection, Partnership Engage; Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) VIP I; Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education; Ontario Ministry of Training; Colleges and Universities; Ontario Ministry of Transportation; Ontario Pork; Ontario Turfgrass; Polar Knowledge Canada; Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute; and research grants-in-lieu of salary.

Provides administrative support to the Associate Vice-President (Research Services), provides budgeting and human resource administration for the Office, and coordinates the activities of the Research Services Sub-Committee. 

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 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 Beef Cattle Research Council, Grain Farmers of Ontario, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) VIP II, Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ontario Ministry of Seniors Affairs, US National Science Foundation, and others. Kristin administers OMAFRA opportunities available directly from OMAFRA (excluding Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance funding), which include Industry Engagement Grants, Food Safety, Proof of Principle, New Directions, Transfer Payment Program, Plant Germplasm Revenue Reinvestment Program. 

Provides administrative and educational support for ethics approval of research projects involving human participants, ensuring adherence to the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans, 2nd Edition (TCPS 2). Provides operational and administrative support for the Research Ethics Board - General (REB-G).

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.

Provides administrative and educational support for ethics approval of research projects involving human participants, ensuring adherence to the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans, 2nd Edition (TCPS 2). Provides operational and administrative support for the Research Ethics Board - Natural, Physical and Engineering Sciences (REB-NPES).

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.

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.

Provides administrative and logistical support for strategic research and infrastructure programs including Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, 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.  Also provides pre-award application support (i.e., administrative review of proposals) and non-financial post-award services to researchers for various Sponsors.

Responsible for administrative review of research proposals, as well as drafting and negotiation of research-related grant agreements and research contracts, including participant agreements, subcontracts, service agreements, access agreements for agencies and sponsors such as the Canadian Space Agency, European Union, US Dept. of Agriculture and other US Sponsors.

Provides administrative support to the Associate Vice-President (Research Services), provides budgeting and human resource administration for the Office, and coordinates the activities of the Research Services Sub-Committee. 

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.