Acting Vice-President, Research

Andy is responsible for research activities within the university and the aggressive pursuit of partnerships – nationally and internationally – designed to capitalize on McMaster’s significant research strengths.

He leads the strategic development for the research portfolio and all research-related policies and practices.  Andy oversees the University’s overall research funding, including developing strategies aimed at increasing McMaster’s share of federal, provincial and other funding opportunities; the development and maintenance of research infrastructure and platforms; and the development and implementation of strategies to foster innovation and commercialization.

Andy’s expertise is in the field of silicon integrated optics and optical circuits and his experience blends both the academic and industry sectors. He received his Ph.D. from the University of East Anglia in 1995, followed by post-doctoral appointments at Western University and the UK Ion Beam Research Centre. Prior to joining McMaster in 2003, Andy was principal engineer at Bookham Technology – a UK-based company specializing in the development of highly integrated optics.  He co-authored the first textbook on silicon photonics, has published more than 250 research articles, holds 12 active patents in the area of integrated optics, and founded KT3 Photonics – a successful McMaster spin-off company, which subsequently became part of Ottawa-based Ranovus.

Acting Deputy Vice-President, Research

Martin completed his PhD at the University of Toronto, coming to McMaster in 1995 to join the Department of History. He was a long-standing member of the department’s executive committee, before serving as graduate chair in the department for a number of years. Outside of the department he is a past-president of the McMaster University Faculty Association.

Martin is a specialist in European international relations including the two world wars of the 20th century and teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate level. His own research lies at the intersection of business, finance, diplomacy and the interaction of states with non-governmental actors. He is the author of three books, the most recent of which was J.P Morgan & Co. and the Crisis of Capitalism: From the Wall Street Crash to World War II (2022).

As Associate Dean (Graduate Studies and Research) in the Faculty of Humanities, Martin was responsible for overseeing graduate admissions, curriculum development, graduate recruitment and retention, while promoting community among the Humanities graduate community. He also assisted the research endeavours of Humanities faculty, while collaborating with the Office of Vice-President, Research in developing the research effort of Humanities within and outside the university.

Martin supports the vice-president, research on all research initiatives, with a specific focus on identifying funding opportunities and prospective cross-disciplinary collaborations and maximizing the potential of the University’s research centres and institutes. He works with the vice-president to promote and maintain a culture of innovation; create conditions for increasing the University’s overall quality and quantity of research activity; and engage the University community and external partners on potential funding opportunities.

Associate Vice-President, Research (Commercialization & Entrepreneurship)

Dr. Leyla Soleymani holds a Canada Research Chair in Miniaturized Biomedical Devices, and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Physics at McMaster University. She received her M.Sc. from the University of Southern California, and her Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. To address the world’s problems in healthcare, Leyla’s research combines innovations in physics, electrical engineering, materials science, and biochemistry. She is currently developing rapid diagnostic and antimicrobial platforms for improving the management of diseases and quality of healthcare. Leyla is the co-founder of startup company FendX Technologies, Inc.

In her role as Associate Vice-President, Research (Commercialization & Entrepreneurship), Leyla supports McMaster’s research community in initiatives that increase the impact and value of their research, by advancing economic development locally, nationally and internationally.

Associate Vice-President, Research (Society & Impact)

Dr. Sukhvinder Obhi, director of the Social Brain, Body & Action Lab, has spent nearly two decades working with public and private stakeholders to advance collaborations. Sukhvinder completed his Ph.D. at University College London, was a visiting graduate fellow at Harvard Medical School and was a postdoctoral fellow at Western University. His research focuses on the neural and cognitive bases of social behaviour, with an emphasis on power, status, agency and volition. He also conducts research on various issues related to social diversity, many of which have application to the professional domain of leadership in socially diverse contexts.

As Associate Vice-President, Research (Society & Impact), Sukhvinder helps facilitate research initiatives that generate societal advances across diverse domains and populations, supporting partnership development and mobilization efforts.

Associate Vice-President, Research Administration

Kathy provides strategic leadership to the University’s research administration team, advises on trends and developments in research funding and opportunities; and provides subject matter, finance and budgeting expertise to the University’s senior leadership. Responsible for client services, Kathy oversees a number of initiatives designed to provide our research community with the most effective and efficient services and support.  Kathy is the primary liaison for our external funding agencies and works to ensure stewardship of the University’s research funds by adhering to ethical standards of conduct in compliance with University and funding agency policies.

Kathy has been involved in research administration at McMaster for more than two decades, serving in a number of progressive positions. Prior to assuming this role, Kathy was the executive director of the Research Office for Administration, Development and Support (ROADS) for eight years.  She has extensive experience in all aspects of research administration – both on pre- and post-award activities. Recognized internally and externally for her ability to modernize procedures and processes, Kathy plays an integral role in the University’s finance and research finance activities.