Who We Are

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.'   | Who We Are | What We Do | Who We Are
Gwen Zellen, D.V.M. Director, Research and Innovation Branch (519) 826-4172	Mary Jo Gordon A/Senior Research Advisor (519) 826-3162
Oswald Zachariah Manager, Research Program Coordination (519) 826-4173	Rob Cunnington Financial Comptroller (519) 826-4168
Paul Brine Research Infrastructure Coordinator 826-4162	Stuart Budd Senior Research Advisor (519) 826-4189
Anna Formusiak Research Analyst 826-3490	Sharon Gerrie Contract Administrator (519) 826-4197
Lesley Hayward Senior Research Advisor (519) 826-4176	Stacy Favrin Research Analyst (519) 826-3976
Robyn Meerveld Research Analyst Partnership Liasion (519) 826-4191	Duff MacKinnon Research Analyst (519) 826-4183
Daphne Peer Research Analyst Corporate Projects (519) 826-4165	Darlene Shewen Adminstrative Services Representative (519) 826-3755
Jeff Schieck Manager, Finance, Infrastructure & Administration (519) 826-4187	Khatera Safi Administrative Services Representative (519) 826-4199
Bill Lachowsky Research Analyst (519) 826-3535	Carolyn Moore Senior Research Advisor, Research (519) 826-3355
Rajib Hazarika Research Analyst (519) 826-4090
To contact us: Research and Innovation Branch Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs 1 Stone Road West 2nd Floor NW Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2 Phone: 1-888-4OMAFRA Fax: (519) 826-4211

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What We Do

Research Coordination

The ministry coordinates a comprehensive system for setting research priorities, administers the funding, and ensures accountability. Research is carried out at the University of Guelph, the regional campuses and at other universities and institutions in Ontario.

Partnership with the University of Guelph

On April 28 2008, the Research and Innovation Branch announced a renewed ten year agreement with the University of Guelph for research, laboratory and veterinary clinical education programs. Through the agreement, research, knowledge translation and transfer and HQP graduate development programs focus on achieving outcomes related to:

• Agricultural production systems
• Product development and enhancement through the value chain
• Industrial uses for the Bioeconomy
• Food for Health
• Agricultural and rural policy
• Environmental sustainability
• Emergency preparedness

The University also operates the Agriculture and Food Laboratory and the Animal Health Laboratory, providing diagnostic support to the ministry, the food industry and the province's livestock and poultry producers. The Laboratories are an essential component of a safe, high quality and abundant food supply in the province.

Ontario also funds clinical training for undergraduate and post-graduate veterinary students at the Ontario Veterinary College.

Research in Food Safety Risk Management

As part of efforts to continuously improve food safety, the Research and Innovation Branch administers the competitive Food Safety Research Program. Since it's inception in 2001, $6.3 million dollars has been allocated to 66 research projects in the following three areas of focus:

• Development/validation of testing methods for pathogen and chemical detection in food and water
• Risk assessment, including the identification of emerging hazards and contaminants
• Risk management and control in food safety
  

Related Links

• Laboratory Program
• Food Safety