VPR Executive Team


Malinda Smith
Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President Research (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion)
Contact Rupa Shankar for schedule requests

Janaka Ruwanpura
Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President Research (International)
Contact Teal Arnot for schedule requests.

Michael Hart
Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President Research (Indigenous Engagement)
Contact Carol Gelette for schedule requests

André Buret
Associate Vice-President (Research)
Dr. Buret’s portfolio includes oversight of UCalgary’s UCare programs and units, university biosafety compliance with the federal Public Health Agency of Canada, Advancing Canadian Wastewater Assets, and off-campus field research facilities.
Contact Karen Pankraz for schedule requests

Marcello Tonelli
Associate Vice-President (Health Research)
Contact Joan Keller for schedule requests

Rob Thompson
Associate Vice-President (Research)
Executive Director, Research Services
Dr. Thompson’s portfolio includes serving as Executive Director, Research Services. He is the co-chair of the GFC Research and Scholarship Committee and sits on the Dimensions Executive and Indigenous Research Steering Committees, Campus Strategic Initiatives Group, among others.
Contact Raegan Penkoff for schedule requests

Susan Skone
Associate Vice-President (Research)
Dr. Skone’s portfolio includes administration and oversight of the Urban Alliance Initiative, Canada Research Chair Program, and Strategic Research and Innovation Opportunities.
Contact Raegan Penkoff for schedule requests

Penny Pexman
Associate Vice-President (Research)
Dr. Pexman serves as Postdoctoral Program Director and as chair for the Associate Deans Research Council (ADRC). She oversees the Knowledge Engagement unit, co-leads UCalgary participation in the Carnegie Foundation’s Community Engagement Classification Project, and is the point of contact between SSHRC and UCalgary.
Contact Karen Pankraz for schedule requests

Steve Larter
Associate Vice-President (Research & Innovation)
Steve Larter oversees the UCalgary Innovation ecosystem, connecting various innovation nodes including the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, Social Innovation, CDL-Rockies and Innovate Calgary.
Contact Karen Pankraz for schedule requests

Lorna Very
Executive Director, Office of the Vice-President (Research)
Contact Karen Pankraz for schedule requests

Keri Damen
Executive Director, Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking
Contact Aubrey Soulliere for schedule requests