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.

Responsible for administrative review of research proposals, as well as drafting and negotiation of research-related grant agreements and research contracts for agencies and sponsors, including NSERC's Alliance program and Mitacs. Amy also provides leadership support to the NSERC Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) program and negotiates participant agreements, subcontracts, and service agreements.

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.

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 Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), Global Affairs Canada, Grand Challenges Canada, US National Institutes of Health (NIH), 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, SSHRC programs: Partnership Development Grants and Partnership Grants; and New Frontiers in Research Fund – Exploration 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 Innovation (OCI), Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ontario Ministry of Seniors Affairs; SSHRC programs: Connection, Partnership Engage; US National Science Foundation, and others. Kristin administers OMAFRA opportunities available directly from OMAFRA (excluding Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance funding).

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 Mitacs; NSERC programs: Research Tools and Instruments (RTI), Discovery, Connect, PromoScience; Ontario Brain Institute, Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education; Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; Ontario Ministry of Transportation; Ontario Pork; Ontario Turfgrass; Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute; Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR); Canadian Poultry Research Council, Egg Farmers of Canada, Canadian Turfgrass Research Foundation; Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Egg Farmers of Ontario.

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 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) and Tri-Agency sub-awards from other institutions. Other funders include: Cystic Fibrosis, Canadian Cancer Agency, Heart and Stroke Foundation; Ontario Problem Gambling, Equine Guelph, and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), OVC Pet Trust, Polar Knowledge Canada - Northern Scientific Training Program (NSTP), 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.

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 Ontario Centres of Innovation (OCI), Genome Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC)- Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), National Research Council, and Polar Knowledge Canada.

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.