What We Do - the Functions of Research Integrity

The Division of Research is committed to fostering a culture of integrity throughout our University working in collaboration with our faculty, staff and students. Our Research Integrity (RI) office administers the human subjects research protections program and the animal care and use program via two vital committees the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the Institutional animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

The Institutional Review Board (IRB)
The IRB is a faculty committee charged with carrying out the important task of reviewing minimal risk to high risk research protocols submitted by our investigators. The IRB reviews research protocols to determine and certify that the protocols conform to the regulations and policies set forth by the federal agencies-- including the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)--regarding the health, welfare, safety, rights and privileges of human subjects.Research Integrity assists the IRB and our researchers by providing day-to-day administrative management of approximately 400 new and continuing IRB protocols, including:

  • Providing pre-submission consultation to faculty and students for IRB proposals.
  • Assisting with research protocol and informed consent preparation.
  • Providing assistance in navigating IRBNet, our electronic protocol submission system.
  • Coordinating monthly committee meetings and daily expedited reviews of IRB proposals.
  • Developing policies, procedures, and guidance documents.
  • Communicating with IRB members, FAU faculty and students, to resolve IRB review concerns.
  • Issuing IRB approvals for new and continuing studies as well as amendments and related other actions.
  • Providing training on protection of human research subjects in research.
  • Maintaining the university s federal assurances and providing regular updates/reports.
  • Serving as liaison between external IRBs and the Division of Research.
  • Interfacing with Division of Research offices to ensure coordination, consistency &compliance at all levels.
  • Resolving non-compliance issues related to the protection of human subjects.
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
The IACUC is a faculty committee charged with carrying out the important task of research compliance related to animal care and use in research. All teaching, research, and exhibition involving vertebrate animal species, regardless of funding source, are under the purview of the FAU IACUC. Research Integrity assists the IACUC and our researchers by providing day-to-day administrative management of 100 new and continuing IACUC protocols, including:

  • Providing pre-submission consultation to faculty and students for IACUC proposals.
  • Coordinating monthly committee meetings and daily designated reviews of IACUC proposals.
  • Interacting with IACUC members, FAU faculty and students, to resolve IACUC review concerns.
  • Developing policies, procedures, and guidance documents.
  • Issuing IACUC approvals for new and continuing studies as well as amendments and related other actions.
  • Providing training on humane care and use of animals in research, teaching, and exhibition.
  • Coordinating semi-annual inspections of University animal facilities.
  • Maintaining the university s federal assurances and providing regular updates/reports.
  • Interfacing with Division of Research offices to ensure coordination, consistency and compliance at all levels.
  • Interacting with regulatory agencies to address site inspections and permitting issues.
  • Resolving non-compliance issues related to the protection of animal subjects.
In addition to managing the IRB and IACUC functions, Research Integrity provides input and coordination on related issues involving Conflict of Interest, Good Clinical Practices, and clinical research monitoring.

Please direct questions and comments to:

Elisa Gaucher
Director, Research Integrity
Phone: 561.297.2318
egaucher@fau.edu




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 Last Modified 11/16/12