Karen Mossman appointed as associate vice-president, research

“It’s an incredible place with such inspiring people doing amazing research.”

That’s how Karen Mossman describes McMaster and it’s that kind of enthusiasm, passion and excitement that she’ll bring to her new role as the University’s associate vice-president, research.

McMaster’s Board of Governors confirmed Mossman’s appointment earlier this week. Her term, effective September 1, runs until June 30, 2022.

Mossman, most recently chair of biochemistry and biomedical sciences, is also a professor in pathology and molecular medicine. She teaches in the Bachelor of Health Sciences Undergraduate Program and mentors students in Medical Sciences, Biochemistry, and the Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization (BDC) program, and has extensive experience within a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment, having worked with researchers, clinicians, clinician scientists and trainees.

Mossman says her administrative roles – chairing the Faculty of Health Sciences Finance Committee, and serving on the Presidential Biosafety Advisory Committee, along with university-wide initiatives like the Finance and Research Finance Review and the current Strategic Research Plan committee – have allowed her to gain a broad understanding of the University, and particularly, its research enterprise.

“I’m interested in everything and I love learning, and I particularly love learning how others, be they colleagues or students, overcome challenges,” she says.

“What I’ve learned during my time at McMaster is that everyone here is working toward being their best. In that regard, we all share a similar goal, and the most important thing is to learn from one another how we can achieve our individual and collective goals to advance our own work and, ultimately, McMaster’s reputation.”

She’s keen to meet with faculty members across the disciplines and assist them, wherever possible, in their research pursuits. Among her responsibilities, she will support the vice-president on all research initiatives, identify funding opportunities and prospective cross-disciplinary collaborations, and maximize the potential of the University’s research centres and institutes.

Rob Baker, vice-president of research, says Mossman is the perfect fit for the role.

“Dr. Mossman brings an extraordinary blend of talents to the portfolio,” he says. “She’s resourceful and intuitive; a team builder with an excellent track record in both research and administration, and has a solid understanding of the University, the granting agencies, and experience with industry collaboration and commercialization.  I’m thrilled to have her as part of the research leadership team.”

Mossman, whose research focuses on understanding how viruses evade host immune defenses and how to use this knowledge for the development of oncolytic viruses for cancer immunotherapy, joined McMaster’s Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine in 2001.   She plans to stay engaged in her research and her lab, which currently boasts a team of a dozen research technicians, scientists, post-docs, graduate and undergraduate students.