Office of Research Services

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 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 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 operational leadership and managerial oversight within the Office of Research Services 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.

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 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.