Jessica Adam Appointed Director of Research Ethics and Security
Rafik Goubran, Vice-President (Research, Innovation and International), has announced Jessica Adam as Director of Research Ethics and Security, effective January 5, 2026.
In her new role, Jessica will be responsible for the strategic planning and operations of the Office of Research Ethics and Security, covering human research ethics, animal care, controlled goods, biosafety and radiation safety, as well as her current portfolio of research security.
With more than 15 years of experience in senior analytical, operational and leadership positions, Jessica has built an impressive career safeguarding people and projects. She began in international development and continued through key roles with the Government of Canada, focusing on risk assessment, mitigation and the management of complex initiatives within rigorous ethical and legal frameworks.
Her background provides a strong foundation for ensuring compliance, participant and Principal Investigator (PI) protections, and institutional integrity.
As we welcome Jessica to this role, we also wish to recognize and thank Gordon DuVal for his years of dedicated service as Director, Research Ethics and Compliance.
“I step into this role with enthusiasm and a strong commitment to building on Gordon’s successful approach — supporting investigators and championing responsible, ethical and safe research practices that drive excellence at Carleton University.”
– Jessica Adam
Since joining Carleton in 2017, Gordon has brought a wealth of experience in research ethics, shaped by a distinguished career researching and teaching health law, research ethics and medical ethics at the University of Toronto and the American University of Law in Washington, DC. His insight serving as an ethics advisor to numerous national and international boards and committees have been invaluable to our community.
As head of Carleton’s Office of Research Ethics, Gordon worked tirelessly to support researchers and guide the Research Ethics Boards.
Under his leadership, the ethics team made big strides in outreach and education, de-mystifying the ethics review process, encouraging open dialogue with researchers and creating a culture focused on maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Please join us in extending our appreciation to Gordon and in wishing him the very best in retirement.