Following an internal search process, Professor Deborah O'Leary has been appointed Associate Vice-President, Research (AVPR), effective Jan. 1.
"I am very excited once again to step into the AVPR role and be an integral part of the Research Enterprise team," says O'Leary, who served as Acting AVPR from summer 2023 to summer 2025.
The AVPR supports the Office of the Vice-President, Research's mission in enhancing the University's Research Enterprise, which fosters the vision and work of research, scholarship, innovation and creative activity in all stages at Brock.
O'Leary will provide dedicated support in areas such as the University's Responsible Conduct of Research policy, the Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP) and the CRCP's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policy.
As Acting AVPR, she provided leadership on institutional priorities such as major research infrastructure, EDI in research and the initiative to promote research honours, awards, prizes and distinctions for Brock scholars.
"I look forward to collaborating with colleagues across Brock to advance the 2025-2030 Research Enterprise Plan with the goal of cultivating research excellence and impact through inclusivity, innovation and integrity," says O'Leary. "My priority is to help strengthen the conditions that enable research success."
Vice-President, Research Tim Kenyon says he looks forward to O'Leary's continuing contributions in advancing Brock's research and scholarship.
"As a researcher who's having a tremendous impact in her field and in Niagara, Dr. O'Leary is known and respected for her track record of leadership and effective administration," he says. "Her commitment to supporting colleagues, students and partners is demonstrated in her many activities and ways of connecting with people around her."
As a Professor of Health Sciences, O'Leary specializes in cardiovascular health throughout the lifespan, particularly the impacts of childhood growth, adult aging and lifestyle factors on the cardiovascular system.
She is Director of the Brock Functional Inclusive Training Centre, which provides supervised community exercise programs to improve health and quality of life in older adults, cardiac patients and individuals with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, cancer and amputees.
The Centre also conducts multi-disciplinary, innovative research in these areas.
Prior to her interim role as Acting AVPR, O'Leary was Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, a position now held by Professor of Health Sciences Paul LeBlanc on an interim basis.
As Acting AVPR, O'Leary replaced Professor of Educational Studies Michelle McGinn, who went on administrative leave.
