Sept 24, 2026, 12-1pm EDT. 
 
Identifying issues in a research contract is only the starting point. The real challenge, and opportunity, lies in discerning what truly matters and focusing your efforts where they have the greatest impact. How do we avoid over-negotiating while ensuring our institutions remain appropriately protected?
In this interactive panel discussion, experienced research contract professionals will share practical lessons learned from the field. What works, what doesn’t and when it’s time to let go. Moving beyond clause-by-clause analysis, our speakers will explore how to prioritize key risks, build trust within your institution and approach negotiations with context and purpose.
Designed for contract reviewers, negotiators and research administrators at all experience levels, this session emphasizes a shift from a purely protective mindset to one that enables research and collaboration. Join us for an open and welcoming conversation and bring your most pressing questions. This is your opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners and gain insights you can immediately apply to your work.
Panelists:
Delilah Ofosu-Barko, Director, Research Operations at Trillium Health Partners and
Kirstyn Dillon, Contracts Specialist, University of Calgary 
Moderated by: Michelle Moldofsky, Founder, Moldofsky Professional Corporation

Delilah Ofosu-Barko, BMSc., is Director, Research Operations at Trillium Health Partners, where she leads research operations, governance, and enabling infrastructure that support health research and innovation. With more than 19 years of experience in research administration, research ethics, and academic health sciences operations, she has held progressive leadership roles supporting research governance, compliance, and research agreements and contracts management. Delilah is a recognized leader in Canadian research administration and has served in national leadership roles with the Canadian Association of Research Ethics Boards (CAREB-ACCER), including as Past President. She speaks regularly on issues affecting researchers and research administrators, including research agreements and contracts, research ethics, governance, regulatory compliance, and responsible conduct of research.

Kirstyn Dillon, PMP, is a research agreements and compliance professional at the University of Calgary with more than 15 years of experience across post-secondary, public-sector and regulated environments. She negotiates complex research agreements with academic, industry, government and not-for-profit partners, bringing a pragmatic, relationship-based approach to balancing institutional protection with enabling research and collaboration.

Michelle Moldofsky, B.A., LL.B., LL.M., is a lawyer with a background in research administration and in the hospital sector in progressive in-house roles, including as General Counsel. Her experience includes providing enterprise-wide legal counsel, developing proactive policies and embedding best practices for leading Canadian healthcare and research institutions. She is the founder of MPC, a law firm providing legal expertise and policy development to the not-for-profit, university, healthcare and small business sectors. She received her LL.M. in health law from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University and her law degree from Queen's University. Michelle speaks regularly about issues affecting researchers and research administrators; issues such as conflicts of interest, grants and contracts, procurement, privacy, participant consent, and research misconduct.

Date de l'événement: 24 sept. 2026 | Ville: | Site / Liue: Online