Dr. Shayan Sharif has been appointed as the University of Guelph’s interim vice-president, research and innovation. He has served as acting vice-president, research and innovation, since August 2024.
Since 2023, he has served as interim associate vice-president (research, agri-food partnership), where he has provided strategic management and oversight for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) and University of Guelph agreement, the largest single research partnership at the University.
In this role, Sharif has led various research programs, training initiatives, and agri-food research centres owned by the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario and operated by U of G, including those at the Ridgetown Campus. He has also overseen the Laboratory Services Division and fostered relationships with a range of public- and private-sector partners.
Sharif is a professor of immunology whose research focuses on poultry diseases, such as avian influenza. He is dedicated to developing innovative vaccines to control these infections. Additionally, in the past, he led the Poultry Health Research Network, collaborating with experts from academia, government, and industry. More recently, he was instrumental in establishing a translational health initiative at the University, bridging veterinary and human health research to translate laboratory discoveries into treatments for both animals and humans.
Sharif became a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2022.
The vice-president research and innovation’s office is located in the executive office suite on the fourth floor of the University Centre. Abeir El Arqusosi is the executive assistant to the vice-president research and innovation and can be reached at ext. 53081 (aarqusos@uoguelph.ca).
Please contact Dr. Shayan Sharif at vpres@uoguelph.ca.
For further information about University of Guelph research visit http://www.uoguelph.ca/research.