"Lauren Gogo is currently the Manager of Research Contracts at Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation. She is responsible for reviewing and negotiating clinical research contracts and providing direction to a team of contract negotiators, as well as focusing on strategic and policy projects involving research. Prior to joining HHSC, Lauren was a Contracts Officer at the University of Toronto and a Research Business Analyst at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, and negotiated many clinical trial agreements as well as participated on the research ethics board to answer any contract-related questions. Lauren has a Masters in Biomedical Technology, and is an active member of the Canadian Association of Research Administrators (CARA) as a Member at Large on the Board"

Mani Kang is the Senior Director of Research Operations at Unity Health Toronto, which is comprised of St. Michael’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, and Providence Healthcare. Previously, Mani has held progressively more senior roles at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the University Health Network where he oversaw research operations and business development. His experiences are specialized in private-public partnerships, transforming corporate services, and digital enablement and innovation. Mani holds an MBA from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees from York University, and a Project Management Professional designation.

Dr. Nicole Kaniki is an EDI consultant and the founder and Director of Senomi Solutions Inc. She has almost a decade of experience working in academic institutions in roles supporting research development and EDI. Nicole is passionate about social justice and uses an anti-colonial lens to support institutions and organizations in assessment, strategy development, and implementation of EDI better practices.

"Sherryl is a focused and energetic business leader, community-builder and marketer with extensive experience in identifying organizational imperatives, leading initiatives, building strong team, communicating with stakeholders and achieving results. Mike Folinas, Manager of the Research Office at the Faculty of Pharmacy to support the growth and expansion of impactful research in unique areas of research. Mike is an experienced presenter, focused on highly engaging presentations and interactions with the audience."

Sarah Lampson is the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Research Administrators. She was appointed in 2013 after more than a decade as a research administrator in various progressive roles at a leading comprehensive university, a funding agency, one of the largest academic hospitals in Canada and at the largest health research organization in North America. 

Sarah has authored or presented over 100 articles, conference talks and webinars, including co-authoring 2 books: The A-Z Guide to Research Contract Review and Steer Your Career: A Research Administrator's Manual for Mapping Success which are in use at more than 500 institutions globally. Sarah received national and international recognition for her contributions to research administration and served as a faculty member in the Research Administration Certificate at Mohawk College for 7 years.

Nuvdeep has been managing R&D and Innovation project and grants for 7+ years in Food and Beverage, Design and Social Innovation. Nuvdeep uses project management skills heavily to meet business objectives while upholding exceptional customer service to run the best operations possible and continuously engage in projects.

Leslie is the Director of the Funding Agencies and Non-Profit Sponsors group within the Office of Research. The FANS team focuses on supporting faculty with their applications to the Tri-agencies, New Frontiers Research Fund, Genome Canada, NIH, non-profit sponsors, as well as international sponsors. We also support research partnerships with the non-profit and public sector, as well as international academic institutions. The FANS team provides many value-add services, such as strategic proposal review, and grant-writing supports. Leslie’s career started in basic research. Following a degree in Biochemistry from University of Guelph, Leslie undertook basic research for over 2 decades within industry, both pharmaceutical and biotech, and in academe. Leslie then shifted to research administration at University of Waterloo – originally managing the CIHR and health- related research portfolio, and now as the Director of FANS.

Shawn Garner is a Data Analyst at Western University, leading the design and implementation of multiple dashboards for research administrative data. Holding a Ph.D. in Biology, he brings extensive experience in data collection, analysis, and presentation from both research and research-administrative perspectives.

Mariam is the inaugural Director, Inclusive Research Excellence and Impact at Western University where she leads the institutional strategy for knowledge mobilization/translation, equity, diversity, inclusion & decolonization, research impact and Indigenous research. With a background in mixed-methods evaluation and community-based participatory research with Indigenous communities, Mariam also supports program evaluation and partnered research. Outside of Western, Mariam has worked with the Office of the Auditor General, Health Canada, Diabetes Canada, and the BC Provincial Diabetes Strategy.

Email: mariam.hayward@uwo.ca

Twitter: @HaywardMariam

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/mariam-hayward

Wilson have supported research and innovation in the region for many years now.

Britta Baron is an accomplished leader in the realm of international cooperation in higher education, research, and innovation. Currently serving as the President and CEO of the European Canadian Centre for Innovation and Research (ECCIR), she is dedicated to fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between Europe and Canada.

With a career spanning two decades at the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), she played a pivotal role in promoting academic exchange and cultivating international partnerships. Her expertise and dedication led her to the University of Alberta in Canada, where she assumed the position of Associate Vice-President (International). During her tenure, she contributed to the expansion of the university's global presence and established strategic alliances with institutions worldwide. Britta has also served as the 

Head of the International Department at Humboldt University of Berlin and the Associate Vice President and Vice Provost at Western University. 

Britta has an honorary doctorate from Oxford Brookes University in England. In May 2022, she received the prestigious Bundesverdienstkreuz am Band, a distinguished German honour, in appreciation of her service to the nation.

As a dual citizen of Canada and Germany, Britta resides in London, Ontario.

James Shelley is a Knowledge Mobilization Specialist at Western University. His role involves strategic planning, consultation, and training across six diverse Schools within the Faculty of Health Sciences (Nursing, Kinesiology, Health Studies, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Communication Sciences and Disorders). James is especially interested in the convergence of data automation, system design, and storytelling, and how, combined, they augment knowledge mobilization and science communication. James also heads the Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) Lab. This lab, established in early 2020, serves as an interdisciplinary hub for the study of complexity and system scholarship at Western University, bridging various faculties and departments. An autodidact at heart, James has a special interest in the overlap of complexity theory, information, narrative, and communications.