Office of Research & Innovation Contact Information

Holger Hintelmann (PhD), Vice-President

Dr. Holger Hintelmann is the Interim Vice-President of Research and Innovation at Trent University. With over 20 years of proven leadership in the Trent Community, Dr, Hintelmann was most recently the Dean of Science at Trent University. His research focuses on analytical and environmental chemistry, specifically the fate of mercury in the environment.

Phone:  705-748-1011 ext. 7659

Email: hhintelmann@trentu.ca

Christopher Rooney (M.Ed.), Senior Director 

Christopher is the Senior Director, Research and Innovation and leads the administration and operations of the Office of Research and Innovation portfolios. Christopher’s own research explores gender, education, and sport through stories and storytelling. Christopher is currently working on a PhD in Canadian Studies through the Frost Centre at Trent University. 

Please contact Christopher with questions regarding:

• Advisory: strategic advice for large scale or institutional grant applications, protection of intellectual property and commercialization of research, research security, external relations and parternships
• Issues or concerns: related to the Office of Research and Innovation

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 7209

Email: chrisrooney@trentu.ca

Rahul Banerjee (MSc, CPE™, CSM®, CSPO®), Assistant Director, Research Security, Innovation and Partnerships 

Rahul is the Assistant Director, Research Security, Innovation & Partnerships and plays a pivotal leadership role in managing safeguarding research policies and programming, supporting commercialization and innovation efforts, and leading engagement with government and industry partners.

Please contact Rahul regarding:

• Research Security & Risk Management: For consultation on due diligence, risk assessments, and safeguarding research activities. Rahul advises on federal/provincial policies and serves as the liaison with government agencies on research security matters.
• Innovation, Intellectual Property & Commercialization: For assistance with invention disclosures, IP protection, licensing, and commercialization strategies. Rahul provides advice on moving research from discovery to market, including startup support.
• Strategic Partnerships & External Relations: For help with research collaborations, joint initiatives, and funding proposals involving industry, government, or academic partners. Rahul facilitates external engagement to advance Trent’s research and innovation goals.

Email:  rahulbanerjee@trentu.ca

Inna Seviaryna (PhD), Assistant Director, Research Support

IInna oversees the Research Support Team supporting researchers across all stages of pre-award and post-award administration. She collaborates closely with institutional units to deliver coordinated and seamless support services.

Please contact Inna with questions regarding:

• Advisory: Interpreting Trent’s and external funders’ policies and guidelines
• Research proposals: support with developing and revising research proposals
• Issues or concerns: related to research support services

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 6186

Email: innaseviaryna@trentu.ca

Jamie Elcombe (BSc), Assistant Director, Entrepreneurship & Strategic Initiatives

The Assistant Director, Entrepreneurship & Strategic Initiatives at Trent University is responsible for overseeing communications, governance, and external relations for the Office of Research and Innovation. This role involves managing internal and external communications, coordinating research awards and prestigious research chairs programs, supporting philanthropy initiatives, and handling special projects. The Assistant Director, Entrepreneurship & Strategic Initiatives also liaises with government bodies, ensures compliance with university policies, and facilitates various activities to promote and celebrate research at the university. 

Please contact Jamie with questions regarding:

• Research Communications: Submissions or questions related to research news stories, web content updates, social media, and the promotion of research activities.
• External Relations: Inquiries about collaborations with external bodies, university associations, and government entities.
• Special Projects Management: Information on special research projects, partnerships, and administrative support for externally funded projects.
• Government Relations: Queries about Trent University’s research representation at government events, and the Vice President’s involvement with professional committees and task forces.

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 6241

Email: jamieelcombe@trentu.ca

Jason Allen (BSc, RMLAT), Manager, Animal Care 

Jason manages facilities, personnel, and programming for animal science-related work in support of the Trent Animal Care Committee and Office of Research. Jason has worked with over 100 species ranging from common species in science such as rodents and fish, to more exotic animals such as 14-inch giant millipedes or alpaca. 

Please contact Jason with questions regarding:

• Live Animals: teaching or research with live animals.
• Animal Use Facilities: maintenance and use of the Animal Care facilities

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 7267

Email: jallen@trentu.ca

Brianne Lisinski (MSc), Research Operations Coordinator 

Brianne serves as the Executive Assistant to the Vice-President of Research and Innovation, Dr. Holger Hintelmann, managing his schedule, travel, expenses, and inquiries. She also oversees the operations of the Office of Research and Innovation, providing administrative support for research projects, grants, budgeting, and events. Additionally, she handles metrics collection, reporting, communication, and file maintenance.

Please contact Brianne with questions regarding:

• Executive Administration: Includes inquiries for meetings with the Vice-President, Research and Innovation/Senior Director, Research and Innovation, requests for signatures, and inquiries on memberships held by the Office of Research and Innovation.
• Administrative Finances: Covers requests for Office of Research and Innovation financial support, invoice/patent payments, and departmental expenses.
• General Inquiries and Requests: Brianne can triage any request to the proper contact, including requests for copies of files, signatures, and general research-related queries.
• Research Communications and Events: Including submissions or queries related to our weekly bulletin, events and social media.

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 7050

Email: blisinski@trentu.ca

Chat Hettiarachchi (MMgt, MSc), Strategic Research Initiatives Coordinator 

Chat is responsible for delivering key research initiatives and special research projects across Trent University. She oversees the administration of Trent’s Internal Grants Program (Research Development Grant, Knowledge Mobilization Research Grant, and Strategic Initiatives Research Grant), Research Awards Program (Early Career Researcher Award, Distinguished Research Award, and Research Impact Award), Canada Research Chair program, and Student Awards (Undergraduate Student Research Award Program and Northern Scientific Training Program).

Please contact Chat with questions regarding:

• Application/nomination procedures: Helping interpret requirements as per program's Terms of References, determining eligibility, and preparing application packages
• Post-award administration: Assisting faculty and students in staying compliant with funding agency requirements (e.g., end-grant reports)
• Research committee support: Scheduling meetings, providing meeting materials, and coordinating application adjudication process
• Event administration: Help organize university events (e.g., Celebration of Faculty Excellence in Teaching and Research, Heart of Trent)

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 7943

Email: chhettiarachchi@trentu.ca

Breanne Whitwell (MA), Research Facilitator 

Breanne supports faculty in the social sciences, humanities, and arts with SSHRC and non Tri Agency research funding and grant and award applications. 

Please contact Breanne with questions regarding:

• Funding opportunities: identification and review of grant opportunities, assessment of program fit with proposed research  
• Pre-award support: application development support, comprehensive proposal review, peer review feedback interpretation
• Post-award support: agreements and contracts, funds transfer, extension requests and administrative support

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 7522

Email: breannewhitwell@trentu.ca 

Chanditha Priyanatha, (MSc), Research Facilitator

Chanditha supports CFI applications, including management of the internal competition. He also supports faculty in the natural and environmental sciences (excluding the Department of Biology) with NSERC and non Tri Agency funding as well as research grant and award applications. 

Please contact Chanditha with questions regarding:

• Funding opportunities: identification and review of grant opportunities, assessment of program fit with proposed research  
• Pre-award support: application development support, comprehensive proposal review, peer review feedback interpretation
• Post-award support: agreements and contracts, funds transfer, extension requests and administrative support

Email: chandithapriyanatha@trentu.ca 

Shawna Wicks (PhD), Research Facilitator 

Shawna supports CIHR and non Tri Agency health-related research grant applications.  Shawna also supports faculty in the Department of Biology with NSERC and non-Tri-Agency funding as well as research grants and award applications. 

Please contact Shawna with questions regarding:

• Funding opportunities: identification and review of grant opportunities, assessment of program fit with proposed research
• Pre-award support: application development support, comprehensive proposal review, peer review feedback interpretation
• Post-award support: agreements and contracts, funds transfer, extension requests and administrative support

Email: shawnawicks@trentu.ca 

Anna Kisiala (PhD), Coordinator, Research Conduct and Reporting 

Anna oversees the administrative operation of Trent University’s compliance committees (Research Ethics Board, Animal Care Committee, Biosafety and Radiation Safety Committee). She acts as a primary point of contact for all research community members (faculty, staff, students, postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars, adjuncts, external stakeholders, etc.) regarding matters related to the responsible conduct of research at Trent University. Anna is also the ORI point of contact for Mitacs-related inquiries.

Please contact Anna with questions regarding:

• Research ethics - determining research ethics requirements based on the Tri-Council Policy Statement (research involving human participants) and the Canadian Council on Animal Care (use and care of animals in science)
• Research biosafety - Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency regulations for research involving the use of potentially pathogenic organisms and biohazardous agents
• Certification procedures - submission and review of human ethics applications, animal use protocols, and biosafety work permits
• ROMEO award and certification management - user registration and system navigation for the applicants and reviewers
• Hiring Research Personnel - appointments for Postdoctoral Fellows and Visiting Scholars hosted by Trent faculty members
• Mitacs - pre-award and post-award support

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 7866                                                                                                         

Email: annakisiala@trentu.ca 

Monica Howes (CPA), Assistant Director, Research Finance and Special Reporting 

Monica supports and oversees the Research Finance Team as they work with Researchers to administer their grants and awards, prepare financial reporting and provide compliance support. She works collaboratively with both the Finance Department and the Office of Research and Innovation to provide a cohesive service to Research Account Holders.

Please contact Monica with questions regarding:

• Advisory: Interpreting Trent’s and external funders’ financial policies and procedures
• Budgeting: Developing or amending budgets for research projects
• Financial Expertise: Support with escalated financial issues
• Issues or concerns: related to Research Finance

Phone: 705-748-1011 x6617

Email: monicahowes@trentu.ca

Tania Dearling, Research Finance Advisor

Tania provides financial support on the day-to-day activities of Researchers with surnames with A-L. Services provided include interpreting granting agency and University policies to assist with determining eligibility and ensuring expenses meet compliance requirements, invoicing granting agencies, and providing expertise on financial procedures.

Please contact Tania for questions regarding:

• Expense eligibility Questions: Includes Tri-Agency and Non Tri-Agency funding
• ChromeRiver Questions: Includes creating and submitting expense reimbursements
• Payroll, stipend, honorarium and research fellowship awards: Covers hiring personnel, payments to research participants, and one time payments.
• Invoicing: Covers internal and external invoicing

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 7697

Email: taniadearling@trentu.ca

Benjamin Dafoe, Research Finance Advisor

Ben provides financial support on the day-to-day activities of Researchers with surnames with M-Z. Services provided include interpreting granting agency and University policies to assist with determining eligibility and ensuring expenses meet compliance requirements, invoicing granting agencies, and providing expertise on financial procedures.

Please contact Ben for questions regarding:

• Expense eligibility Questions: Includes Tri-Agency and Non Tri-Agency funding
• ChromeRiver Questions: Includes creating and submitting expense reimbursements
• Payroll, stipend, honorarium and research fellowship awards: Covers hiring personnel, payments to research participants, and one time payments.
• Invoicing: Covers internal and external invoicing

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 6175

Email: bdafoe@trentu.ca

Lucy Shenk, Senior Research Accountant 

Lucy provides support to the Research Finance Team, and provides financial support, including budgeting and financial reporting, specifically for CFI projects.
 

Please contact the Senior Research Accountant with questions regarding:

 

• Research Finance: Including research account administration, compliance and reporting requirements.
• Inquiries and Requests: The Senior Research Accountant can assist with inquiries related to CFI funded projects, including budget reviews, fair market value assessments, account administration and reporting.
• Collaboration: Works with the Office of Research and Innovation to assist research account holders.

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 6411

Email: lucyschenk@trentu.ca

Marlon Adams (M.Ed.), Junior Research Accountant

Marlon provides financial support, including budgeting, financial reporting, and financial advisory, for Researchers with last names beginning with letters A-L.

Please contact Marlon for questions regarding:

• Budgeting: Assists researchers with developing or amending budgets.
• Financial Reporting: Generates financial reports as required by granting agencies.

• Research Account Setup and Access: opens new research accounts and provides the award holder with the account number and account access. 

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 7721

Email: madams@trentu.ca

Emmalyne Sullivan (CPA), Research Accountant

Emmalyne provides financial support, including budgeting, financial reporting, and financial advisory, for Researchers with last names beginning with letters M-Z.

Please contact Emmalyne for questions regarding:

• Budgeting: Assists researchers with developing or amending budgets.
• Financial Reporting: Generates financial reports as required by granting agencies.

• Research Account Setup and Access: opens new research accounts and provides the award holder with the account number and account access. 

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 6613

Email: esullivan@trentu.ca

[on leave]

Corrine Collins, Research Accountant

Corrine provides financial support, including budgeting, financial reporting, and financial advisory, for Researchers with last names beginning with letters A-L.

Please contact Corrine for questions regarding:

• Budgeting: Assists researchers with developing or amending budgets.
• Financial Reporting: Generates financial reports as required by granting agencies.

• Research Account Setup and Access: opens new research accounts and provides the award holder with the account number and account access. 

Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 7697

Email: corrinecollins@trentu.ca