Today, President David Farrar shared the following news with the McMaster community:

Dear members of the McMaster community,

We have been fortunate to have such a stellar researcher as our Vice-President Research (VPR) over the last five years. Karen Mossman has guided McMaster’s research enterprise with great dedication. At the same time, she has continued to grow her research program.

With three new research grants to her credit in addition to her ongoing grants, Karen has decided to step down as Vice-President to focus on her lab, colleagues and research development more fully.

On behalf of McMaster, I would like to thank Karen for all she has contributed during her time as Vice-President Research. In particular, for her leadership during the pandemic, which was key to bringing significant funding into the university as we helped lead the world in COVID-19 related research.

The work of the Research Office is integral to McMaster.

Andy Knights has been acting VPR during Karen’s research leave this academic year. While Karen will complete her leave between now and its finish at the end of June, she will not be continuing with any duties of the VPR, which will reside with Andy.

Work will begin shortly to establish a search committee for the VPR role, which will begin to meet over the summer.

Our congratulations to Karen as she expands her research programs and our thanks to Andy as he continues his leadership of McMaster’s research portfolio.