In This Issue:
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Welcome, Michael Centola, new AVP for Research Integrity
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IACUC reminder
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EHS new staff
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IRB utilizes BRANY
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Research Safety — securing research facilities
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Research Compliance in the News
Welcome, Michael, new AVP for Research Integrity!
Last month, Michael Centola joined the Office of the Vice President for Research as our new Associate Vice President for Research Integrity! Michael brings over 20 years of experience in the field of research integrity, most recently as the Director of the Office of Research Integrity at UMass Lowell where he was responsible for the IACUC, IBC, IRB, COI, Radiation Safety, and Export Control programs. Michael graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and has a Masters of Health Sciences degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences from Quinnipiac University. Michael will assume responsibility for UConn/UConn Health’s IACUC, IBC, IRB, COI, COC (Conflict of Commitment), Radiation Safety, and Environment Health & Safety (at UConn Health only).
New personnel joining your IACUC protocol for the Fall Semester? 
Adding new personnel this fall? Be sure to have them take IACUC training and complete their OHS forms as soon as possible to avoid any delays. Once the training and OHS form requirements are fulfilled, please be sure to reach out to our office so you can add the personnel to your Appendix C. The earlier the personnel can be added to your protocol, the quicker they will be able to start working!
Nick Lacafta, IACUC Specialist
Mark Johnson, IACUC Specialist/Post Approval Monitor
New EHS Staff
In April, Environmental Health & Safety welcomed Ashley Blain, our Training Development and Outreach Coordinator and Sam Alyeldin, Injury and Illness Prevention Specialist! Welcome!
Terri Dominguez, University Director
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
The IRB office is hard at work on multiple improvements including major changes to InfoEd and improvements to our forms, templates, and other materials. Please check our website whenever working on a submission to make sure that you have the most current content. As a reminder, in June we launched utilization of an external IRB, BRANY, to supplement our internal IRB as our volume of research continues to grow and we work on improvements. New externally funded research and research involving more than two external sites or investigators/study personnel is now submitted to BRANY IRB after undergoing a local administrative review. New study applications that were initiated in InfoEd prior to June 19th will continue to be accepted by the Storrs IRB and existing studies will remain in-house. For more detailed information please visit the BRANY IRB page on our website or contact irb-reliance@uconn.edu. We are here to support you as you learn these new processes.
Questions about human subjects research or IRB? Contact us at irb@uconn.edu.
A Message from Research Security
Enhancing Access Control and Secure Storage for Research Facilities at UConn
Securing research facilities at the University of Connecticut is paramount to protect valuable research, maintain research integrity, and ensure the safety of researchers and research subjects. Access control systems, visitor logs, and secure storage play a pivotal role in safeguarding sensitive research materials and controlling facility access. This article highlights the importance of these measures and provides guidance to professors and researchers on maintaining a secure research environment.
Implementing robust access control systems is crucial to prevent unauthorized access to research facilities. Secure entry points, key card systems, or biometric authentication mechanisms should be in place to restrict entry to authorized individuals only. Additionally, maintaining comprehensive visitor logs helps track who enters and exits the facility, allowing for greater accountability and aiding in investigations if necessary.
To protect sensitive research data and materials, it is essential to store them in locked containers. Secure storage can include locked cabinets, safes, or restricted access areas within the facility. Professors and researchers should ensure that all sensitive documents, prototypes, or experimental materials are appropriately stored when not in use, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or theft.
Professors and researchers must be mindful that facilities personnel may need to enter their areas in the event of emergencies or leaks. To ensure the safety of individuals and research assets, it is crucial to maintain a practice of locking away sensitive materials when not actively working on them. By securing research materials, professors and researchers can minimize the potential for mishaps or unauthorized access during unforeseen circumstances.
Promoting a culture of collaboration and open communication among researchers, administrative staff, and security personnel is key to maintaining a secure research environment. Professors should encourage their team members to report any suspicious activities promptly and utilize anonymous reporting mechanisms if available. Regular communication channels should be established to disseminate security-related updates, reinforcing the importance of access control and secure storage practices.
For any inquiries or concerns regarding research security at the University of Connecticut, we encourage you to reach out to the UConn Research Security Office. They can be contacted via email at fso@uconn.edu. Additionally, if you need to file an anonymous report regarding research security, you can do so at compliance.uconn.edu. These channels of communication are designed to address any questions, report any suspicious activities, or seek assistance related to research security at UConn. Your proactive engagement contributes to maintaining a secure research environment within the university.
Contact the UConn Research Security Office at researchsecurity@uconn.edu with any concerns or questions.
Research Compliance in the News
- Scientists Are Close to Achieving Synthetic Biological Intelligence – Popular Mechanics, July 24, 2023
- Stanford President Resigns After Fallout From Falsified Data in His Research – npr.org, July 20, 2023
- Harvard Professor Under Scrutiny for Alleged Data Fraud – Behavioral Scientist, July 7, 2023
- How Far Should We Go With Gene Editing in Pursuit of the ‘Perfect’ Human? – The Guardian, Feb. 5, 2023
- What Should Be Kept Off-Limits in a Virology Lab? – Vox, Feb. 1, 2023
- New York Man Sentenced to 2 Years for Conspiring to Steal GE Secrets for China – Reuters, Jan. 3, 2023