Office of the Vice-President, Research welcomes new Director, Research Platforms Support

The Office of the Vice-President, Research (OVPR) is pleased to announce that Jamie Barnes has joined the OVPR as Director, Research Platforms Support.

Barnes will lead the University’s efforts to support and promote McMaster’s cutting-edge research platforms, says acting vice-president, research, Andy Knights.

“McMaster’s core platforms are an essential part of our research infrastructure. They provide our researchers and partners with access to the specialized equipment and technical expertise needed to advance fundamental research and compete on the world’s research stage,” says Knights.

“Jamie’s wealth of knowledge on the University’s research centres, institutes and platforms, as well as his prior leadership experience in this space, will be integral in our mission to provide the utmost support to McMaster’s suite of core platforms.”

Barnes graduated from McMaster with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in the Management of Innovation and New Technology.

In his previous role as Managing Director, Research Centres and Institutes (RCIs) for the Faculty of Science, Barnes worked with the Faculty’s five RCIs and four core research platforms, providing strategic support to ensure they performed on the highest level and delivered on their research mandates.

“RCIs and core platforms play a critical role in our researchers’ success. They create intersections between expertise, ideas, facilities and equipment that enable the immense impact our researchers and partners generate every day,” says Barnes.

“I’m very excited to be part of ongoing efforts to enhance how we support our core research platforms and strategically align our research infrastructure and assets with McMaster’s broader research enterprise.”

As Director, Research Platforms Support, Barnes will lead the OVPR’s overarching strategic planning for McMaster’s research platforms. He will work in partnership with the Associate Vice-President, Research to provide guidance on institutional guidelines, policies and procedures pertaining to the development, progress reporting and review of RCIs and research platforms.

Barnes will work collaboratively with the University Research Infrastructure Oversight Board and with Deans, Directors of RCIs and research platforms, external organizations and university personnel to facilitate effective governance and oversight of McMaster’s research platforms.

Barnes will also lead development of a cooperative network and community of practice in support of research platforms and core facilities, through which Directors and staff may exchange ideas on best practices and provide feedback to the Director, Research Platforms Support.

Barnes can be reached at barnesjh@mcmaster.ca

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McMaster is home to over 25 core research platforms. From department-based laboratories and suites of equipment housed within centres and institutes to state-of-the-art national research facilities, our platforms provide researchers with the cutting-edge methods and tools they need to advance knowledge in their fields and enhance Canada’s national research landscape.

Learn more about our Research Centres, Institutes and Core Platforms.