The OVDR's dedicated, professional, and passionate team strives to implement the comprehensive, integrated research plan for the College of Medicine. If you have any questions, or if you would like to offer any feedback, please  contact our wonderful team.

For questions regarding your research funds: ovdr.funding@usask.ca
For questions regarding CoMRAD: com.rad@usask.ca
For questions regarding Biomedical Summer Projects: biomed.projects@usask.ca
For questions regarding Dean's Summer Projects: deans.projects@usask.ca
For questions regarding the Health Sciences Graduate Studies Program:  ovdr.grad@usask.ca 
For all other OVDR inquiries: ovdr@usask.ca 
Check out our funding initiatives here
For questions regarding CTSU Operations: ctsu.operations@usask.ca
For questions regarding CTSU Contracts:  ctsu.contracts@usask.ca
For questions regarding CTSU Accounting:  ctsu.accounting@usask.ca
For all other CTSU inquiries: ctsu.admin@usask.ca

Meet Our Team

Dr. Linda Chelico

Vice-Dean of Research, Biomedical Sciences

ovdr.vicedeanresearch@usask.ca

Dr. Linda Chelico, PhD, began her five-year term as Vice-Dean Research, Biomedical Sciences in March 2026. A current professor and former Department Head in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, she is internationally recognized for her research on host antiviral defence mechanisms, particularly the APOBEC3 family of enzymes and their roles in restricting HIV-1 replication and contributing to mutagenesis in cancer. Through innovative biochemical and cellular studies, her lab has advanced understanding of the molecular “arms race” between HIV-1 Vif and APOBEC3 proteins, generating insights that inform novel therapeutic strategies and deepen knowledge of genomic stability and tumorigenesis. As Vice-Dean Research, Biomedical Sciences, she provides strategic leadership for biomedical research within the College of Medicine, serving on the Dean’s executive team and working in close partnership with the Vice-Dean Research, Clinical, Health Sciences and Population Health to advance a coordinated, integrated research strategy across the College.

Vacant

Vice-Dean of Research, Clinical, Health Sciences and Population Health

ovdr.vicedeanresearch@usask.ca

 

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Megan Truscott 

Director of Research

(306)966-6516
megan.truscott@usask.ca

The Director of Research oversees the administration of the Office of the Vice-Dean Research and Clinical Trial Support Unit and is a key member of the Vice-Dean Research leadership team. Megan provides guidance and direction to the fantastic lineup of OVDR and CTSU staff, and sets team and individual priorities. This position works with departments, senior leaders, and other key stakeholders across the College of Medicine and larger University community in order to assist the Vice-Dean Research and the entire portfolio to achieve its strategic goals.

Sydnie Gengler 

(306)966-2621
 ovdr@usask.ca 
Research Navigation Specialist
The Research Navigation Specialist provides multifaceted support, including administrative assistance, schedule management, query prioritization, and communication oversight for the Vice-Dean Research team. They provide guidance to new staff and faculty regarding research processes across the organization, ensuring a smooth onboarding experience and fostering collaboration within the College of Medicine.

Shelley-May Neufeld


 shelley.neufeld@usask.ca
Research Impact Analyst
The Research Impact Analyst develops and implements effective practices for tracking, managing, and analyzing the academic research output of the College of Medicine researchers. This position contributes to inform policy and develop programs that support the realization of the College's research mission and objectives. The Impact Analyst uses measured outputs to disseminate productivity and impact achieved by the College of Medicine researchers.

Ally Wiegers


 deans.projects@usask.ca
Project Coordinator
The Project Coordinator provides administrative, planning, and project management support and expertise to the senior leadership team in the OVDR. This position is the point person in order to facilitate all major funding initiatives of the OVDR and the College of Medicine.

Chantal Jantzen


  ovdr.funding@usask.ca 
Research Financial Analyst
The Research Financial Analyst is key to the achievement of financial operations, including budget development, monthly financial reporting, quarterly forecasting, detailed variance analysis, and year-end reporting. This position acts as the financial liaison for all things research within the College of Medicine. The analyst provides analytical proficiency with regard to the full range of fund types while actively ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.

Colton Holmes


 ctsu.invoicing@usask.ca
Research Finance Coordinator
The Research Finance Coordinator provides detailed research finance services and finance administrative support for the Vice-Dean of Research and Clinical Trials teams. This includes support to research finance and finance activities, internal funding initiatives and clinical trial finance operations in order to facilitate major initiatives of the OVDR and CTSU.

Nayoung Kim


 nayoung.kim@usask.ca
Student Project Coordinator
The Student Project Coordinator provides administrative, support services, and project assistance to the Office of the Vice-Dean Research. This position offers valuable insight from the student perspective, informing and shaping initiatives in the OVDR.

Kari Boudreau


 research.website@usask.ca
Research Administrative Coordinator
The Research Administrative Coordinator provides detailed research and office administrative support to the Vice-Dean of Research and Clinical Trial Support Unit teams. This encompasses providing administrative support, overseeing office processes, coordinating events, and ensuring the seamless facilitation of key initiatives within the OVDR and CTSU.

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Dr. Kiven Erique Lukong

(306)966-4586  ovdr.grad@usask.ca
Assistant Dean Graduate Studies
The Assistant Dean Graduate Studies is responsible for the strategic and academic leadership of learning, teaching and the graduate student experience in the College of Medicine.


Alyssa Gallagher

ovdr.grad@usask.ca
Graduate Programs Coordinator
The Graduate Program Coordinator supports the Assistant Dean Graduate Studies in setting the strategic direction of the graduate programs and developing and facilitating the funding initiatives related to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the College of Medicine.

Research Themes

Strategic Plans developed at both the College and University levels serve as steering mechanisms to guide the focus of the Office of the Vice-Dean Research to signature research themes. By offering support for researchers, and strategically investing in key research areas that show promise of growth, we seek to position the College among the most distinguished in Canada.

In The News

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Impact Indicators

Canada's ONLY Synchrotron Radiation Facility

Research Chairs & Distinguished Professorships

Faculty Career Publications

Faculty Career Citations

Research Funding (2017)

Want to learn more about our impact? Follow the link above!
Office of the Vice-Dean Research
College of Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
Office 4A20 - Dean's Suite, Health Sciences Building
107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5
(306) 966-2621