Research and Innovation Branch

Our Vision Statement

'Leadership and support to research, development and innovation programs that strengthen the agriculture and food sectors and Ontario communities, and address societal changes.'

Introduction

Branch Director Michael Toombs, M.Sc., P.Eng.

Welcome to the Research and Innovation Branch (RIB). We administer most of the ministry's research and innovation programs.

RIB staff are listed below according to four main activities:

Director support

Finance, infrastructure and administration staff

Staff who administer the operational aspects of the branch's programs and provide secretariat services to the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) are located in the branch's Finance, Infrastructure and Administration Unit. The unit's manager is Jeff Schieck (519-826-4187). Staff are listed below according to activity:

  • Administration of agreements and intellectual property - Sharon Gerrie - 519-826-4197
  • Management of ARIO's research facilities - Paul Brine M.Sc. - 519-826-4162
  • Secretariat for OMAFRA-University of Guelph partnership - Robyn Meerveld OMAFRA Liaison - 519-826-4191

Knowledge Translation and Transfer Staff

Knowledge translation and transfer (KTT) is the transformation of research knowledge into use. Staff involved in KTT activities are located in the Innovation and Knowledge Management Unit. The Unit's manager is - Oswald Zachariah, Ph.D. (519-826-4173). Staff are listed below according to activity:

Research Themes under the OMAFRA-University of Guelph partnership

Commercialization of research

Stuart Budd B.Sc (Agr.) - 519-826-4189

  • Growing Forward Innovation and Science Suite
  • Innovation and commercialization
  • Vineland Research and Innovation Centre

Other activities related to knowledge translation and transfer

  • Highly Qualified Personnel Program (OMAFR-University of Guelph Partnership) - Duff MacKinnon - 519-826-4183

Research program staff

Staff who administer the technical aspects of the branch's research and priority setting programs are located in the Research Program Coordination Unit. The Unit's manager is Stacy Favrin Ph.D. - 519-826-4248. Staff are listed below according to program area:

Research Themes under the OMAFRA-University of Guelph partnership

  • Agriculture and Rural Policy - Simon Berge - 519-826-3535
  • Bioeconomy - Industrial Uses - Rajib Hazarika Ph.D. - 519-826-4090
  • Emergency Management - Kelley Knight M.Sc. - 519-826-3355
  • Environmental Sustainability - Rajib Hazarika Ph.D. - 519-826-4090
  • Food for Health - Simon Berge - 519-826-3535 Product Development & Enhancement Through Value Chains - Simon Berge - 519-826-3535
  • Production Systems - animals and plants - Anna Formusiak M.Sc. - 519-826-3490

Other research programs

Other activities related to research

  • Liaise with Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) - Wilma MacFarlane - 519-826-4198
  • Corporate Initiatives -Daphne Tot M.Sc. - 519-826-4165
  • Web page development and maintenance - Daphne Tot M.Sc. - 519-826-4165
  • Research Management Sytem (RMS) Administrators - Duff MacKinnon - 519-826-4183 and Daphne Tot M.Sc. - 519-826-4165

For more information:
Toll Free: 1-888-466-2372 ext. 64554
Local: (519) 826-4554
E-mail: research.omafra@ontario.ca
Author: Daphne Tot, Research Analyst - Corporate Projects/RIB
Creation Date: 03 September 2003
Last Reviewed: 2 April 2013