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 Florida Atlantic University in building a culture of research compliance.
FAU’s goal to become a research-intensive institution aligns with the the process to achieve accreditation of the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protections Programs.

The primary purpose of accreditation is to strengthen protection for research participants, and accreditation advances that objective and helps build public trust and confidence in research.

Achieving accreditation will earn FAU the respect of peers, promote collaborative efforts, assist FAU in gaining a competitive edge with sponsors and government agencies. Most importantly, FAU will benefit from a common commitment to continuous quality improvement.
                                                       
Stay tuned for updates and information regarding this initiative and how you, as FAU’s research community, can assist in receiving this highly acclaimed standard.

To view the Notice from the VPR’s office regarding the Division of Research’s commitment to this initiative, click here .
IACUC Leadership

We would like to extend a generous thank you to Robert Stackman, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate College, for his service to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) as a member since 2010, and as chair for more than four years.

We would like to thank and welcome Tim Theisen, Ph.D., senior instructor in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, as the new IACUC chair effective July 1. Theisen has served as an IACUC member for four years, three were as vice-chair.

We would also like to thank Howard Prentice, Ph.D., professor of biomedical science in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, who will continue to serve as vice-chair. FAU and the Division of Research is indebted to the service of our faculty colleagues who provide these valuable services. 
Research Integrity staff attend the AAHRPP Annual Conference
 
The 2019 Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Program (AAHRPP) conference focused on harmonization in the era of the new rule. The pre-conference provided an overview of the AAHRPP accreditation process. Attendance at the professional conference allowed Research Integrity personnel to network with AAHRPP members and institutional peers and learn about additional tools for enhancement of human subject protection in research.

From left, Ximena Levy, MD, a ssociate director in the Human Research Protection Program; Robert Hood, Ph.D., director of accreditation with AAHRPP; Donna Simonovitch, manager of the Human Research Protection Program ; and Kathleen Lawry of the Cleveland Clinic Ohio.
Certified IRB Professional
Ximena Levy, MD, a ssociate director in the Human Research Protection Program , received her certification as an IRB Professional (CIP). This is a certification for individuals working with IRBs developed by Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research. The CIP credential was developed to promote ethical research practices and programs by ensuring that professionals charged with their administration have demonstrated an advanced level of knowledge, understanding and experience.

Dr. Levy’s accomplishment is an attestation to the level of knowledge and professionalism of our Human Research Protections Program team, as well as the commitment and dedication of Research Integrity and the Division of Research to the protection of human subjects participating in research.
Environmental Health and Safety and Division of Research Updates regarding Biological Safety

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), a federally mandated compliance committee, has transitioned to, and will be managed by, the Division of Research through the Research Integrity (RI) unit. Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) is working with RI on this newly established committee with the intention of creating an updated approach to supporting the biological research community at FAU. 

The IBC has been delegated the authority to set university policy with regard to biological and recombinant DNA safety. The IBC must comply with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules. The IBC is responsible for overseeing the use of all biological agents and recombinant DNA methods employed in research and teaching projects on FAU’s campuses.

EH&S has recruited a biological safety officer, Frank Novembre, Ph.D., who joined FAU on Aug. 19. Dr. Novembre will support the university community as we work on growing and advancing our safety and training programs at FAU.

We appreciate your patience as we work through the changes in the coming months. There is a new IBC registration application form, a new Introduction to Biosafety CITI training requirement and there will be policy and procedural updates.

New registrations submitted for review will need to include documentation of successful completion of the Initial Biosafety CITI training and EH&S training for all lab personnel.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Division of Research - Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) at

Environmental Health and Safety – Biological Safety Officer (BSO)
Frank Novembre, Ph.D. at fnovembre@fau.edu
IBC Website Now Live

Please visit the new IBC Webpage for information on training requirements, downloading the most current forms, reviewing policy, identifying contact persons and so forth. You can access the webpage by visiting  http://www.fau.edu/research/research-integrity/Institutional-Biosafety-Committee.php .
Division of Research Responsibility and Authority Regarding Matters of Research Misconduct

The Vice President of Research has released a memorandum reminding the FAU research community that the Division of Research (DoR) reviews all matters related to the conduct of university research. Allegations of research misconduct (fabrication, falsification and plagiarism) are managed by a prescriptive regulatory process that involves ad-hoc faculty committee peer review of the allegation(s). It is the DoR’s charge to manage all such assessments, inquiries and investigations in accordance with state and federal laws, regulations, and DoR policy 10.1.1

To read more, click here .
Check Out the Beacon Online
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If you have any questions, please contact us at researchintegrity@fau.edu or Elisa Gaucher .