Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Committee Membership

The additional six IACUC members have opted to remain anonymous as allowable with IACUC regulations.

The members of the UAA Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) are appointed by the Chancellor through the Institutional Official, the Executive Director, Compliance. The UAA committee has scientists representing each of the colleges using animals in research or teaching, as well as non-affiliated and non-scientific members.

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IACUC Meetings

The IACUC committee meets on the second Friday of the month in the CPISB 101D conference room or in a videoconference meeting format.  Protocols and issues for discussion must be submitted in IRBNet at least 5 days prior to the meeting.

For the current meeting schedule or any questions about IRBNet or the review process, please contact the IACUC Coordinator at (907)-786-0916 or uaa_iacuc_coord@alaska.edu.

The principal investigator(s) attending the IACUC meeting is optional, but highly recommended to answer any questions that may come up during the discussion.

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IACUC Activities

Protocol Review and Tracking

The IACUC reviews all research, teaching and diagnostic protocols that involve the use of live vertebrates (fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, or mammals) irrespective of source of funding (departmental, public, or private) or purpose (biomedical, biological, agricultural, wildlife, testing, education, diagnostics, etc.). In other words, if your work involves live vertebrates, you must submit a UAA Assurance of Animal Care form.

Protocol review includes but is not limited to: 

• Assure personnel are adequately trained and qualified to conduct research using animals.
• Assure adequate handling and care for animals.
• Assure consideration for alternatives to potentially painful and stressful procedures and determine the research to be non-duplicative.
• Assure appropriate use of sedatives, analgesics, and anesthetics.
• Assure that proper surgical preparation and techniques are used.
• Assure that appropriate euthanasia techniques are used.

Once a protocol is reviewed and approved, it must be kept current with respect to any changes, modifications, or new techniques as they evolve. The form must be renewed annually for a maximum of two renewals (3 year time span). If the project is continuing after two renewals, you are required to submit a new protocol.

All IACUC forms are available in IRBNet for new protocols, updates and yearly renewals. For assistance with IRBNet, click here.

Facility Inspection

Inspect and report on all UAA animal facilities at least once every 6 months to ensure that research animals held at UAA are maintained under the best possible conditions and that we are in full compliance with regulations and guidelines.

The Office of Research Integrity has a free online course primarily for IACUC members entitled "An IACUC Member's Guide to Animal Facility Inspections." The course addresses the regulatory requirements for animal facilities, including housing, surgery, cleaning and storage areas. 

Review of the Animal Care Program

Evaluate the overall Animal Care Program for the University at least once every six months. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Assure that lines of authority are clearly established.
• Assure that adequate veterinary care is being provided.
• Assure that effective training programs are maintained.
• Assure that there is an occupational health and safety program for personnel working with animals.