Initial IACUC Training is a requirement for everyone working with live vertebrate animals at the University of Connecticut in accordance with the policies and guidelines set forth in the “Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” (PHS 1986), the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” (ILAR 2011), the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations (CFR 1985) and the “Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching.”
Retraining is required for faculty PIs on a triennial basis (once every three years). All other animal users (staff, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduates) must complete IACUC retraining on an annual basis.
Initial IACUC Training
The University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) requires that all faculty, staff and students who work with live vertebrate animals attend an initial IACUC training session. This will provide an overview of federal, state and University regulations, policies and procedures as well as general information related to the care and use of animals at the University.
ALL INITIAL IACUC TRAINING IS PROVIDED ONLINE VIA SYNCHRONOUS WEBEX EVENTS. Please navigate through the links provided below to sign up for an IACUC training session. When using the sign-up link, please use the Register link on the associated page. You should receive an “Approval” email after signing up. If you have any questions or concerns regarding sign-up, please contact nicholas.lacafta@uconn.edu.
Presentation Dates and Times:
Please note: Sessions start promptly. Latecomers risk not receiving credit.
| Day | Time | Session Name | Presenter | Sign-Up Link |
| Tuesday, January 7, 2025 | 10:30 AM | IACUC Initial Training | Megan Hiller, IACUC Specialist | WebEx |
| Wednesday, January 22, 2025 | 11:00 AM | IACUC Initial Training | Megan Hiller, IACUC Specialist | WebEx |
| Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 10:30 AM | IACUC Initial Training | Megan Hiller, IACUC Specialist | WebEx |
| Wednesday, February 19, 2025 | 11:00 AM | IACUC Initial Training | Megan Hiller, IACUC Specialist | WebEx |
| Thursday, March 6, 2025 | 10:30 AM | IACUC Initial Training | Megan Hiller, IACUC Specialist | WebEx |
| Wednesday, March 26, 2025 | 11:00 AM | IACUC Initial Training | Megan Hiller, IACUC Specialist | WebEx |
| Thursday, April 10, 2025 | 10:30 AM | IACUC Initial Training | Megan Hiller, IACUC Specialist | WebEx |
| Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | 11:00 AM | IACUC Initial Training | Megan Hiller, IACUC Specialist | WebEx |
Retraining Options
The IACUC requires retraining for all animal users. Within a year (for Faculty who are Principal Investigators, three years) after the initial classroom training session, animal users must complete one of the following retraining options in order to receive approval for continued animal use:
- Completion of an animal subjects web-based exam on the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program website (www.citiprogram.org). Please login to the CITI Program site using your Institutional Login credentials (Log In Through My Institution) and selecting University of Connecticut – Storrs & Regional Campuses so that you can enter your UConn NetID username and password to access the CITI Program website. Depending on the course one selects, it may take approximately 1-6 hours to complete. Please note that completion of any of the web-based courses can be spread over a period of time. They do not have to be completed in a single session. Currently, the course modules available include:
- UConn IACUC, A Review
- Working with the IACUC
- Essentials for IACUC Members
- Post-Procedure Care of Mice and Rats in Research
- Working with Amphibians in Research Settings
- Working with Fish in Research Settings
- Working with Mice in Research Settings
- Working with Rats in Research Settings
- Working with Gerbils in Research Settings
- Working with Hamsters in Research Settings
- Working with Guinea Pigs in Research Settings
- Working with Rabbits in Research Settings
- Working with Cats in Research Settings
- Working with Dogs in Research Settings
- Working with Swine in Research Settings
- Working with Non-Human Primates in Research Settings
- Working with Zebrafish (Danio rerio) in Research
- Wildlife Research
- Working with Reptiles in a Research Setting
- Documented attendance at or participation in one of the sessions offered by the Biological Health & Safety section of Environmental Health & Safety. This training is designed for laboratory personnel who work with research animals. Topics include principles/concepts of biosafety, agent classes and safety levels, engineering controls, personal protection equipment, work practices, biological agent use and transport information and biological waste management issues.
- Documented repeat attendance at the in-house classroom session presented by ACS/IACUC. The session lasts approximately 1.5 hrs.
- Documented attendance at any special seminar session that may be specifically offered by Research Compliance Services or Animal Care Services in the future to fulfill this training requirement.
- Documented attendance at a training session offered by a recognized scientific society or organization that addresses animal use in research and/or animal welfare concerns. Please consult with Research Compliance Services in advance to determine whether the session you would like to attend meets this retraining requirement.