Office of Research 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.

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.

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

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 both Research Ethics Boards: Research Ethics Board - General (REB-G) and Research Ethics Board - Natural, Physical and Engineering Sciences (REB-NPES).

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.

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.

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 Office of Research Services for further review and processing. 

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

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.

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 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 Agricultural Adaptation Council (CAP -Organizations and Collaborations), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (CAP - Clusters), Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), European and Canadian Space Agencies, US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Vineland Research Centre, Saugeen Ojibway Nation, Southern Ontario Smart Computing Innovation Platform (SOSCIP) and others. 

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.