Research Office Staff

People and programs to support research

The people in Dalhousie’s Medical Research Development Office (MRDO) are dedicated to helping our researchers succeed. They foster a positive and collegial environment for research and ensure that medical researchers at all levels—from student to senior faculty member—have access to the facilities, collaborators, funding, training and other supports they require to conduct excellent research.

Our MRDO team:

Eileen Denovan-Wright, PhD
Associate Dean, Research

Email:    eileen.denovan-wright@dal.ca
• advance innovative research agenda
• recruitment and retention
• research space

John Sapp, MD, FRCPC, FHRS
Assistant Dean, Clinical Research

Email:     sappj@dal.ca
• clinical research and clinical trials
• collaborative and multidisciplinary research
• clinical and basic science linkages
• research career development, clinical faculty

Kirill Rosen, PhD
Acting Assistant Dean, Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
Email:     kirill.rosen@dal.ca    
• graduate student and post-doctoral fellow rep
• career development for graduate and post-doc trainees
• Professional & Research Education Program (PREP)

Paul Atkinson, MB BCh BAO, MA (Cantab), FRCPC
Assistant Dean, Research – Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB)
Email:     paul.atkinson@dal.ca
• DMNB research programs and facilities
• collaboration with partner institutions and clinicians
• recruitment and retention of DMNB researchers
• chair DMNB Faculty of Medicine Research Council

Allen McAvoy, B.Journ, MPA
Senior Manager
Medical Research Development Office (MRDO)
Email:     allen.mcavoy@dal.ca

Sandy Bennett
Administrative Assistant
Medical Research Development Office (MRDO)
Email:     sandy.bennett@dal.ca
Phone:    902-494-1395
• administrative, technical and logistical support

Kelly Abbott, BSc (Hons), CHRM
Manager, Faculty Research Programs
Medical Research Development Office (MRDO) 
Email:     kelly.abbott@dal.ca
 - Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Recruitment and Renewal
 - Endowed Chairs Recruitment and Renewal
 - Research Accounts
 - Faculty Research Programs

Wendy Weckworth, BBA
Training and Studentships Program Administrator
Medical Research Development Office (MRDO)
Email:     wendy.weckworth@dal.ca 
• strategic support for training and studentships programs

Jocelyne Rankin, MES
Research Facilitator
Medical Research Development Office (MRDO) 
Email:     jocelyne.rankin@dal.ca
• strategic support for faculty

Adriane Maier, MSc
Manager of Research and Infrastructure Support
Medical Research Development Office (MRDO) 
Email:     AdrianeMaier@dal.ca
• CORES Research Intrastructure  

Magie Francis, Ph.D.
Project Manager - GMP/BioLabs East
Medical Research Development Office (MRDO) 
Email:     m.francis@dal.ca
• GMP Facility