Contact Research & Innovation

NOTICE: The Research Administration team will be working in a blended working environment and will not always be available on campus. 
Please reach out to the individual you would like to contact for their schedule.
 
General Email:
Office of Research Services (ORS) | ors@kpu.ca
Communications Email:
research.communications@kpu.ca
Office Locations:
Surrey Main Campus Fir Building Room 115
Langley Campus, West Building Room 2204
Richmond Campus, Room 2320

 

Office of the Associate Vice President, Research and Innovation

Amit Shukla, PhD
Associate Vice President, Research and Innovation, pro tem | Blended

Amit is an experienced administrator and program manager with over 15 years of experience in the U15 post-secondary environment in Canada, along with a strong research background as a scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. He has extensive experience and knowledge of the full research continuum (lab research, project management, research administration, technology transfer, innovation and entrepreneurship). Since moving to BC in Fall 2020, Amit has been working as an Executive-in-Residence with the Foresight CleanTech Accelerator supporting start-ups within the AgTech space with their business development. As the Director Research, Innovation, Scholarship and Entrepreneurship Services (RISES), Amit is responsible for research administration services including managing institutional grants, internal funding competitions, and business/partnership development.

306 717 3880amit.shukla@kpu.ca

 

Mariko Itano, BA  
Confidential Assistant

Mariko is an administrative professional with 10+ years of experience working in the post-secondary education industry. She moved to Canada from Japan and has a B.A. in Psychology from SFU. As a confidential assistant, Mariko supports the day-to-day administrative functions of the office and ensures its smooth operation. Mariko thrives in performing complex administrative duties and enjoys helping others in need.

604 599 2496mariko.itano@kpu.ca

 

Office of Research Services

Jackie Au, BBA, MSc
Research Administration and Services Manager

Jackie is a seasoned tertiary education administrator with profound experience in research grant administration, academic services, program administration, project management, financial management as well as budget planning. Over the past two decades Jackie has held various administrative positions in the tertiary education sector in Hong Kong. As the Research Administration and Services Manager, Jackie is responsible for leading or co-leading university-wide research operations, research finance, and research risk management. She also provides strategic business leadership and oversees administration of research programs and project management. 

604 599 2740 | jackie.au@kpu.ca

 

Keith Leung, PhD
Research Facilitator

Keith Leung has over nine years of experience in conducting humanities and social science research. He has managed multiple SSHRC and NSERC-funded research projects and collaborated extensively with researchers in Canada and abroad. He is experienced in research writing and has published extensively. As a Research Facilitator, he works with research active scholars to help establish research agendas and build scholarly portfolios, support research clusters, and design and facilitate creative approaches and knowledge mobilization strategies to promote KPU research and scholarly activity.

604 599 2237 | keith.leung3@kpu.ca

 

Yankee Cheung, BBA, Msc
Research ​Services Specialist

Yankee Cheung is an experienced research administrator with a strong commitment to fostering a collaborative and welcoming environment for researchers. Her professional experience includes roles at several leading institutions, including the University of British Columbia, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the City University of Hong Kong. As Research Services Specialist, Yankee works closely with researchers in the post-award administration of externally funded projects, ensuring research funds are managed effectively and in compliance with funding agency requirements. Through her dedicated support, she helps advance the success and impact of research at KPU.

604 599 2538yankee.cheung@kpu.ca

Geena Dhaliwal, Bsc
Research Ethics Coordinator

Geena Dhaliwal’s professional background spans health sciences, social policy, and community-focused initiatives. She is passionate about advancing equity, reconciliation, and evidence-informed decision-making, and is dedicated to fostering ethical, inclusive, and impactful research. As Research Ethics Coordinator, Geena serves as the primary resource for faculty, staff, and students engaging with the Research Ethics Board (REB). She supports the ethical review process and helps ensure KPU’s compliance with the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2, 2022) and related institutional commitments and obligations.

reb@kpu.ca 

Cece Lee, Bsc, RLAT
Animal Care Coordinator

Cecilian graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Science in Agroecology and graduated from Douglas College's Veterinary Technician program. She has worked in the research field for over 10 years, and her passion has led her to complete the RLAT certification.  Her next goal is to complete the Masters in RLAT in the next 5 years, and continue sharing her dedication to her peers, and advocate for animals both in and outside the field of research. The Animal Care Coordinator at KPU is responsible for supporting the functioning of the Animal Care Committee by providing administrative support for protocol management, pedagogical and scientific merit review as well as by acting as a liaison between protocol authors, the Animal Care Committee, senior administration and other stakeholders.

cecilian.lee@kpu.ca | acc@kpu.ca

Dr. Kent Mullnix

Director
Richmond Campus | Main Building | R3420

kent.mullinix@kpu.ca

Dr. Deborah Henderson

Director & Leef Innovation Chair
Langley Campus | ISH Building | L1165

deborah.henderson@kpu.ca

Dr. Paul Adams

Director
Surrey Campus | Applied Genomics Centre

paul.adams@kpu.ca