Institutional Official (IO) Discussion: Navigating Ethical and Regulatory Challenges While Accelerating Research

The role of the IO is complex and has broad responsibility for supporting and protecting the research environment, including understanding and maintaining compliance with the federal regulations for the protection of human subjects, vertebrate animals, conflicts of interest/commitment, and research security. The programs under the auspices of the IO must proactively anticipate and support research needs to protect research participants, funding, researchers, and the institution’s reputation. The IO must ensure that the institution has a robust integrated infrastructure with appropriate resources. In this dynamic session, speakers will put a broad set of issues on the table for discussion, including: integrating your HRPP and animal care and use program with other compliance programs (e.g., conflicts of interest, certificates of confidentiality, export control, sponsored programs, etc.); single IRB facilitation; supporting a virtual IRB/IACUC and workforce; promoting external evaluations (peer review) of your program; supporting internal quality assurance; assessing the value and risk of investigator-initiated studies; leadership cultivation within the office and on the IRB and IACUC; promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the office and on the IRB and IACUC; and exploring recent noncompliance/issues of HRPP and animal care and use programs. This session is intended to be dynamic and rapid paced, in order to cover topics that IOs are currently faced with or should be anticipating. This session will take place in Zoom meeting. The use of attendee video is encouraged for participation and interaction with your peers.