The Institutional Animal
Care and Use Committee is an independent research review committee mandated
by the Animal
Welfare Act and the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals (PHS
Policy). The current Chairperson of the IACUC is Neeraj Agarwal,
Ph.D., Affiliated Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics.
The IACUC, through the
experience and expertise of its members, is charged with the responsibility
to oversee the entire animal care and use program at IACUC. The Committee's
functions include:
- Review and approve, require
modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of proposed activities
related to the care and use of animals.
- Inspect at least once every
six months all of the institution's animal facilities, including all satellite
facilities, using the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide)
as the basis for evaluation.
- Review at least once every
six months the institution's program for humane care and use of animals,
using the Guide as the basis
for evaluation.
- Evaluate the qualifications
of research personnel and provide appropriate training and education as deemed
necessary.
- Make written recommendations
to the Institutional Official, Dr. Glenn Dillon, Vice -
Research, regarding any aspect of the institution's animal program, facilities,
or personnel training.
- Suspend activities involving
animals if the IACUC determines that the activity is not being conducted
in accordance with the institution's policy and applicable provisions of
the USDA Animal
Welfare Act Regulations, the PHS Policy,
and the Guide.
- Review and investigate reports
of potential noncompliance with regulations governing the care and use of
laboratory animals and take corrective actions as necessary.
