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Associate Dean, Research Grants

Dr Savraj Grewal

Savraj Grewal obtained his PhD in 2001 from Oregon Health Sciences University and carried out postdoctoral research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA. He joined the University of Calgary as an Assistant Professor in 2007. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a member of the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute. His research program focuses on understanding the control of cell and tissue growth using Drosophila, and has been supported by grants from CIHR, NSERC and the Cancer Research Society.

Assistant Dean, Postdoctoral Research

Dr Julia Jacobs-Levan

Dr. Julia Jacobs is the current Director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Alberta Children’s Hospital. She is an Associate Professor affiliated with the Departments of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Calgary. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Freiburg, Germany, where she was the Director of the Department of Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases at the University Medical Center Freiburg before joining the University of Calgary in Fall 2019.

Dr. Jacobs’ research aims to improve the diagnostic tools for patients with epilepsy, particularly advanced EEG and MRI analysis in children with epilepsy. Another focus of her research is clinical therapeutic trials for kids with difficult to treat epilepsies and developmental encephalopathies. Dr. Jacobs’ research is currently funded by grants from NSERC, CIHR, and the Alberta Children’s Hospital foundation. She has been awarded with several international awards including the “Epilepsia Prize” of the International League against Epilepsy. She serves as an Associate Editor for “Epilepsia” and “Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology”.

Coming into the role of Assistant Dean Postdoctoral Research, Dr. Jacobs brings substantial experience as a reviewer for CIHR, German Research Foundation, Swiss National Science Foundation and European Research Council. She aims to expand the opportunities and support for postdocs to apply for grants and improve their career perspectives.

Manager, Grant Development

Jenna Millar^{Cert RA}, BA

Jenna has been with the Grant Development Office (GDO) since its inception in 2016.  Prior to joining the Cumming School of Medicine Jenna was the Senior Research Grants Officer in Research Services Office (RSO) where she joined after having worked at the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society.  In addition to extensive training in Grant Writing and Development, Jenna obtained her Certificate of Research Administration in 2018. As the Manager for the team, Jenna oversees all of the funding programs supported as well as leads the support for the NSERC Discovery Grant and NFRF Transformation competitions.

jenna.millar@ucalgary.ca 

403.389.6638

Senior Research Grant Development Officer

Clint Westgard, MA

Clint Westgard has been with the Grant Development Office (GDO) since 2018 in the role of Grants Development Officer. Clint supports and facilitates collaborative research and provides guidance in the strategic development of grant proposals. His portfolio includes SSHRC, Alberta Innovates (PRIHS), and COVID-19 related funding opportunities. Previously he worked for Campus Alberta Neuroscience and the Werklund School of Education.

chwestga@ucalgary.ca

403.220.5680

Research Grant Development Officer

Brandi Povitz, PhD

Brandi Povitz joined the Grant Development Office (GDO) in 2019 in the role of Grants Development Officer. Brandi obtained her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Calgary. She has a Combined Honours degree in Biochemistry and Chemistry from Dalhousie University. Prior to joining the GDO, Brandi worked as a Grant Development Officer and Project Manager at the Lawson Health Research Institute in London, Ontario. Brandi’s portfolio includes support for the CIHR Project Grant, International funding opportunities (e.g. NIH, Department of Defense, and transnational funding opportunities) as well as the program of support for new investigators.

brandi.povitz@ucalgary.ca

403.220.3082

Research Grant Development Officer

Priya Jaggi, MSc

Priya joined the Grant Development Office in 2022. Priya completed her Masters in Health Sciences with the University of Alberta and has over 10 years of experience in providing project coordination and management for health policy related research. Priya previously managed a large research portfolio for medical residents, involving matching residents to their research interests and funding opportunities. Priya was recently involved in leading nation-wide, multi-centered studies involving patient-reported measure development and validation, and curriculum development for healthcare providers. Priya’s portfolio supports many of the NSERC funding programs, CIHR Strategic opportunities, Alberta Innovates AICE, and Genome Canada funding. 

parneetpriya.jaggi@ucalgary.ca

Research Grant Development Officer

Mohit Jain, PhD

Mohit Jain joined the Grant Development Office in 2023 in the role of Research Grants Development Officer. Mohit obtained his PhD in Pharmacy at Durham University, UK. Prior to joining the Grant Development Office, he was a Postdoctoral Associate for 3 years at the Cumming School of Medicine itself. Within the Grant Development Office, his portfolio provides support for international funding opportunities, including the NIH and transnational funding opportunities such as Horizon Europe.  

mohit.jain@ucalgary.ca

Fellowship Development Officer

Vienna Doenni, PhD

Vienna joined the Grant Development Office (GDO) in December 2021. She has completed her undergraduate training in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Maastricht, NL, and completed her Ph.D. at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. She has extensive copy editing training and was heavily involved with graduate and postgraduate writing programs during her time as a graduate student. Vienna joined the GDO after 3 years of supporting not-for-profit programs for mental health, wellness, and community resilience in interior BC. She focuses on post-doctoral fellowship applications within the GDO.

vdoenni@ucalgary.ca

Program Support Coordinator

Laurie Simmonds

Laurie Simmonds joined the Grant Development Office in 2023.  A recent graduate of Acceleration Strategy, Canada’s only accredited CX leadership and Implementation Program.  Laurie holds certificates in both Project Management and Human Resource Management, as well as a certificate in International Development Studies from Dalhousie University.  Laurie has held various roles within the University of Calgary.  Most recently in Continuing Education and Continuing Medical Education as a Project Coordinator. 

medgrant@ucalgary.ca

lsimmond@ucalgary.ca

Advisor CRC, CFI, Postdoctoral Fellowships

Dr. Roger Thompson

Dr. Thompson received his Ph.D. in 2000 and joined the University of Calgary in 2008. He is a member of the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. His research focuses on cellular mechanisms of neuronal death during stroke and cognitive impairment. His role in the OADR is as an advisor to faculty on tri-council grants, Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) applications, renewal of research chairs (i.e. CRC). Additionally, he coordinates internal peer review and adjudication of postdoctoral fellowship applications.

rj.thompson@ucalgary.ca

403.210.6312