Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Members
The current serving members of the New Mexico Consortium’s IACUC are:
Stephanie Wiliams, DVM (Veterinarian)
Devon Spencer, DVM (Alternate Veterinarian)
Robert L. Rubin, Ph.D Developmental and Cell Biology (Chair)
Rebecca Hartley, Ph.D Biological Structure (Practicing Scientist)
Barbara J. Musgrave, B.A. Health Science Education (Nonaffiliated)
Thea Vernon, BSc. Media Communication and Cultural Studies (Nonscientist)
Jaime Martinez-Barber, B.S. Agriculture and Animal Science (Member)
Leyma P. De Haro, Ph.D Biomedical Sciences (Biosafety Professional)
IACUC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The IACUC, as an agent of the New Mexico Consortium, is charged with several responsibilities. In brief, they are:
- Program Evaluation: The review of the NMC’s animal program every six months, using the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th Ed. (2011), as a basis for evaluation.
- Facilities Inspection: The inspection of the NMC’s animal facilities (including satellite facilities and investigator-managed housing facilities and use-sites) every six months, using the Guide as a basis for evaluation.
- Animal Welfare Concerns: The review of concerns involving the care and use of animals at the NMC.
- Program Improvement: The formulation of recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding the NMC’s animal program, facilities, and/or personnel.
- Protocol Review and Approval: The review and approval of activities related to the care and use of animals and proposed significant changes to ongoing approved activities at the NMC. Likewise, the IACUC is authorized to require modifications to proposed activities and, in consultation with the Institutional Official, to suspend ongoing activities involving animals and report the action to the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW).
- Personnel Training: The IACUC ensures that all personnel involved with animal care, treatment or use are provided with training on applicable NMC policies concerning research integrity, occupational health and safety, IACUC function, species-specific animal use, humane practices and the concept, availability and use of research, teaching or testing methods that replace, reduce, or refine the use of animals or animal distress.
- Reporting: The submission of reports of IACUC activities to the Institutional Official, OLAW, and accreditation agencies.