Internal Communications

“Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Twenty-Five Years On” Webinar

The discovery of human pluripotent stem cells just over twenty-five years ago almost immediately engendered widespread enthusiastic speculation concerning their future potential in research and medicine: a future as models for early human development, as platforms for functional human genomics, as tools for the study of disease, drug screening and toxicology, and as a renewable source of cellular therapeutics for a range of intractable diseases. In this lecture, Dr. Martin Pera, a noted expert in the pluripotent stem cell field, will assess the progress thus far and the prospects and challenges ahead.

The UConn/UConn Health Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO) Committee invites you to this one-hour lecture followed by a 30-minute Q&A session! 

Date: Monday, May 13, 2024

Time: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. EDT

Presenter:  Dr. Martin Pera

Topic:  Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Twenty-Five Years On

Registration Link:  WebEx Registration Link

 

Martin Pera, Ph.D., The Jackson Laboratory

Martin Pera is a Professor at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine. He is the Chair of the Steering Group of the International Stem Cell Initiative, a member of the Board of Directors of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, and Editor-in-Chief of the society’s journal, Stem Cell Reports. His laboratory when at Monash University was the second in the world to isolate embryonic stem cells from the human blastocyst, and the first to describe their differentiation into somatic cells (neurons) in vitro. His current research is focused on understanding cell state transitions in pluripotent stem cells, and on the use of pluripotent stem cells to study disorders of the central nervous system and the development of cell therapy for age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Pera’s research interests are the cell biology of pluripotency and the applications of human pluripotent stem cells in disease modeling and therapy. 

 

For questions, contact Ellen Ciesielski, UConn/UConn Health SCRO Coordinator, Research Integrity & Compliance.

Questions about ClinicalTrials.gov?

ClinicalTrials.gov is an online database of clinical trials. At UConn Health, Principal Investigators are responsible for registering and posting results per the federal regulations as well journal policies. That National Institutes of Health definition of a clinical trial is a research study in which one or more human subjects2 are prospectively assigned3 to one or more interventions4 (which may include placebo or other control) to evaluate the effects of those interventions on health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes.5  

Do you have questions about ClinicalTrials.gov registration or results posting? To schedule a virtual or in-person session with the UConn Health contact for ClinicalTrials.gov, email Ellen Ciesielski, Research Compliance Monitor in Research Integrity & Compliance in the OVPR. To learn more about ClinicalTrials.gov requirements, please see our webpages.

 

 

 

 

 

1See Common Rule definition of research at 45 CFR 46.102(d).
2See Common Rule definition of human subject at 45 CFR 46.102(f).
3The term “prospectively assigned” refers to a pre-defined process (e.g., randomization) specified in an approved protocol that stipulates the assignment of research subjects (individually or in clusters) to one or more arms (e.g., intervention, placebo, or other control) of a clinical trial.
4An intervention is defined as a manipulation of the subject or subject’s environment for the purpose of modifying one or more health-related biomedical or behavioral processes and/or endpoints.  Examples include:  drugs/small molecules/compounds; biologics; devices; procedures (e.g., surgical techniques); delivery systems (e.g., telemedicine, face-to-face interviews); strategies to change health-related behavior (e.g., diet, cognitive therapy, exercise, development of new habits); treatment strategies; prevention strategies; and, diagnostic strategies.
5Health-related biomedical or behavioral outcome is defined as the pre-specified goal(s) or condition(s) that reflect the effect of one or more interventions on human subjects’ biomedical or behavioral status or quality of life.  Examples include:  positive or negative changes to physiological or biological parameters (e.g., improvement of lung capacity, gene expression); positive or negative changes to psychological or neurodevelopmental parameters (e.g., mood management intervention for smokers; reading comprehension and /or information retention); positive or negative changes to disease processes; positive or negative changes to health-related behaviors; and, positive or negative changes to quality of life.

March Remote RCR Training 3/26

The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Office within Research Integrity & Compliance in the OVPR hosts monthly remote RCR training sessions. For our March remote event, we will be discussing several case studies. This 1-hour event will count towards the 8-hour in person requirement for NIH, however all those who conduct research are strongly encouraged to attend!

For more details about RCR requirements, please visit our RCR Program website.

For questions, please contact Research Compliance Monitor, Ellen Ciesielski or Karen Moré, Director of Research Compliance.

What: March RCR remote training session featuring case study discussions

When: Tuesday, March 26th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: Remote WebEx Registration Link

2024 Responsible Conduct of Research Training Remote Sessions

This is the last week of the 2024 Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training sessions! Sessions will be presented live via WebEx in a series of hour-long sessions. This week’s sessions include “Managing Mentoring and Peer Relationships” on Monday 2/26, “Research Security/Export Control” on Tuesday 2/27, “Ethics in the Use of Human Subjects in Research” on Thursday 2/29.

 

Who should sign up? All trainees, fellows, participants, and scholars receiving support through any NIH training grant, career development award (individual or institutional), research education grant, or dissertation research grant (specifically, the following programs: D43, D71, F05, F30, F31, F32, F33, F34, F37, F38, K01, K02, K05, K07, K08, K12, K18, K22, K23, K24, K25, K26, K30, K99/R00, KL1, KL2, R25, R36, T15, T32, T34, T35, T36, T37, T90/R90, TL1, TU2, and U2R) are required to complete RCR training per NIH policy. This policy also applies to any other NIH-funded programs supporting research training, career development, or research education that require instruction in responsible conduct of research as stated in the relevant funding opportunity announcements.

 

What kind of training is required? Unlike NSF or USDA NIFA RCR requirements which can be satisfied by online training through the CITI program, NIH requires training to be “face-to-face.” Specifically, 8 hours of unique face-to-face presentation material are required by NIH. The February remote RCR training sessions may be utilized to satisfy this requirement.

 

How do I sign up? Please visit the UConn Health RCR website for a list of the sessions offered along with registration links.

 

To learn more about the NIH RCR requirement or other options to satisfy NIH’s RCR training requirement, please visit the UConn Health RCR website.

 

Questions? Please contact Research Compliance Monitor, Ellen Ciesielski at eciesielski@uchc.edu.

HSPP Newsletter – July, August, September, 2023

 

HSPP Newsletter – July, August, September, 2023

 

Quality Improvement (QI) Projects  & Human Subjects Research

    

When a project is planned with a goal of improving the performance of a departmental practice in relationship to an established standard, the activity is called quality improvement (QI).

Most quality improvement projects are not subject to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations- the common rule. However, in some cases, quality improvement activities are designed to carry out a research study. In these cases, the regulations for the protection of subjects in research may apply.

To determine whether a quality improvement activity is also a human subject research project, the following questions should be addressed in chronologic order:

  • Does the activity involve research?
  • Does the research activity involve human subjects?
  • Does the human subject research qualify for an exemption?

If the answer to the first or second question is no, the activity is only a QI project.

If the answers to each of the first two questions is yes, then the QI project is considered a human subject research project. The third question will be to determine whether your study will qualify for exempt status. If the research does not appear to qualify for exempt status, you will need to determine if it qualify for expedited or full board review.

If an investigator is not sure as to whether a QI project is also human subject research, it is recommended that a Human Subject Research Determination Form.doc be submitted to the IRB to obtain an official ruling before the activity commences.

When investigators submit a determination form, the IRB will evaluate multiple factors to make a determination. Some of the factors to be considered include, but are not limited to: the primary intent of the project.  The IRB will consider the QI project a research study when the primary intent of the project is to produce generalizable results, or when the project will impose risks beyond the standards of care, and/or when the project includes randomization.

As an example of IRB considerations, the table below describes the IRB questions to determine whether an educational project is only a QI project.

When a QI project in an educational setting is part of a formal curriculum and participation in such project is not a choice, the activity will be considered only QI as long as the results of the project will only be shared with the program/department implementing the QI project.

On the other hand, when a QI project in an educational setting is not part of a formal curriculum and participation in such project is voluntary, the activity will be considered human subjects research as long as the results of the project will be shared outside of the institution implementing the QI project.

 

Guidelines for Determining Whether Educational Activities                                                  are Quality Improvement Projects or Exempt Research
  QI Exempt Review
Is the educational activity  part of the formal curriculum (i.e., it would be offered/required regardless of the evaluation)? Yes No
Is the activity designed to continuously improve the quality of an educational offering? Yes No
Is there an intent to share the results beyond that department/program that is offering the educational activity? No Yes
Is participation in the evaluation of the educational activity voluntary? No Yes

If investigators self-determine that IRB review is not necessary for a proposed project, they need to know that IRB approval cannot be granted retrospectively.  In addition, federal regulations have made it clear that any publication describing a project as “research” must have received prior IRB review and approval.

 

Example of a Quality Improvement Project

At the time of patient registration existing hospital policy requires data points A, B and C to be collected.  The patient registration center implements use of a registration template form to improve collection of data points A, B, and C.  Six months later the patient registration data is analyzed to see if use of the form improved collection of the required data points.

 Research Consideration: there is no hypothesis or experimental question being asked so the definition of “systematic investigation” is not met and therefore the definition of research is not met; and the intention is to improve compliance with an existing and accepted policy not to contribute to generalizable knowledge.

 HIPAA Consideration:  HIPAA allows for conducting quality assessment and improvements activities related to health care operations provided that the obtaining of generalizable knowledge is not the primary purpose.  The minimum necessary information should be used.

To learn more about how the DHHS views quality projects in relation to the regulations for human subjects research please click on Quality Improvement Activities FAQs | HHS.gov

 

 

Human Subjects Protection Training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

I am submitting an application for Exempt Status.  Do I need to complete Human Subjects Protection Training? If so, why?

Training of study personnel is required regardless of whether the research qualifies for exempt, expedited or full board review, or whether the facilitated review process is utilized.

 

 I am a new UConn Health investigator.  What is the CITI Training I should complete?

All key study personnel listed on an IRB application for either an initial submission or a request for modification must have a current/valid training in the protection of human subjects.

Investigators who are completing human subjects training for the first time should first select the user group most applicable to the type of research with which they will be involved.  Prior to enrolling in any CITI Training course, the Investigators should respond to the CITI course enrollment questions within the CITI program also posted in the IRB website page.

UConn Health IRB Requirements for new investigator/new affiliated staff are as applicable:  the Basic or Refreshment course of (1) Biomedical Investigators and Study Personnel, (2) Social and Behavioral Investigators and Study or (3) Students.

Investigators who are renewing their training, can select the Good Clinical Practice course to satisfy the requirements.

 

 I am adding an external investigator to my study. Does he/she needs CITI Training? If so, what is the training course this investigator should complete? 

As per IRB policy 2011-023.0.pdf – Educational Requirements, if an investigator is external to the UConn Health, they must submit proof of having completed human subjects protection training.  These certificate can either be sent to cagganello@uchc.edu or be attached to the submission.  The Training certificates submitted will be evaluated by the IRB staff to verify that the courses completed are the required by UConn Health IRB.

The IRB reserves the right to require the external investigator to complete additional training.

 

 I completed my CITI Training a while ago, how can check if my CITI Training is up to date?

The IRB has a webpage dedicated to Human Subjects Training. Investigators or coordinators in need of checking CITI Training status for themselves of others may access the master training list.xlsx (Excel) which is updated approximately every two weeks.

In addition, investigators iRIS account are updated within 1-2 weeks with the CITI Training Reports.  To check the status of your CITI training in iRIS you can complete these steps: Click on “My Assistant” Menu, and then click on “My Account Information” sub-menu.  Go to the menu titled– Training History.  You will be able to see your Courses Completion and Expiration date.

 

I would like to complete a refresher course in the CITI Program.  However, the system prompts me to complete a Basic course.  What can I do to complete a refresher course? 

You need to complete the course that is due according to your previously completed course work.   The CITI Program has been set to require the users to complete a refresher course only when the last completed course of the chosen group was a Basic course.  This is required because the information in the modules is updated constantly and a basic course is the only venue to learn the new information. See example of a course completion history below.

 

 

Integrated Research Information System (iRIS)

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who needs to request an account to access iRIS?

Investigators with an email address ending in ——@uchc.edu should not request an account in iRIS since they already have an account in iRIS.  These investigators are considered internal investigators. As stated in the iRIS logging page the investigator’s UConn Health network username and password are to be used to log in to iRIS.

On the other hand, individuals who need access to iRIS but are not affiliated to UConn Health /do not have an UConn Health username and password (e.g., a Hartford Hospital clinician) need to request an account in our iRIS system.  An online request form must be completed by clicking on the Request New Account option found in the iRIS logging page.   To avoid inaccurate information this online request form should be completed by the person in need of the account.

 

I need to add an UConn Health investigator to my study.  However his/her name is not found in the iRIS data base.  Should this investigator request an account in iRIS?

 As stated in the previous FAQ, internal investigators do not need to request an account in iRIS.   You can search for the investigator’s name either in the iRIS database or in the LDAP directory.

The iRIS data base contains the names/accounts of investigators who have logged into iRIS at least once. If the internal investigator you are trying to add has never before logged in to iRIS, his/her name/account will not be found in the iRIS database.

The LDAP directory contains names/accounts of those investigators who have not logged into iRIS ever.  Therefore, when you are trying to find the account of an internal investigator you should search in the LDAP directory.

 

I am having trouble logging into iRIS.  Can I retrieve my iRIS logging credentials from the iRIS submission system?

If you are an Internal Investigator, iRIS does not storage internal users passwords.

Your current network ID and password should allow you to gain access to the system.  If you know your password is active, go to https://imedris.uchc.edu and use your network ID and PW to log into IRIS (use the same ID and PW you use to access your UConn Health email account).

If you are still experiencing problems using your UConn Health credentials, please contact the UConn Health help desk at 860-679-4400.

 

 If you are an External Investigator, and you do not remember your iRIS ID, send an email to cagganello@uchc.edu requesting your iRIS ID.

If you need to retrieve your password follow click on the “I forgot my Password” tab found in the iRIS logging page.  Enter your iRIS User ID in the box provided. Then click on the “Send Password” tab. The IRIS system will send your password to the e-mail address found in your iRIS account.

If you are still experiencing problems using your credentials, please call 860-679-8802 or email cagganello@uchc.edu

 

I am an external investigator with an account in iRIS.  I need to change the email address in my iRIS account.  How can I do that?

To edit the email address noted in your iRIS account you will need to log into your iRIS account.  Once you have logged into iRIS, complete the following four steps. Click on “My Assistant” Menu, then click on “My Account Information” Sub-menu.  The system will open your Profile.  In there you can edit your email address.  To save the changes, click on the Save Section icon.

Investigators can also download the External Users- iRIS User Manual’s Instructions to Change Your Password & Email address from the iRIS help icon found in their iRIS Homepage.

 

 

U.S. Federal & Drug Administration (FDA) Warning Letters

 

FDA warning letter to Angela M. Stupi, Clinical Investigator

The investigator was cited for failing to ensure the investigation was conducted according to the investigational plan [21 CFR 312.60]

Failure to ensure that subjects met eligibility criteria before enrollment in the study.

Failure to ensure that the study drug was administered to subjects in specific body locations as required by the protocol

The warning letter also goes over how the clinical investigator’s written response did not provide sufficient details about their corrective action plan.

 

FDA warning letter to Randy Epstein, Clinical Investigator (Sponsor)

The investigator was cited for conducting research on an investigational drug without an IND, as well as failure to maintain adequate records showing the receipt, shipment, or other disposition of the investigational drug.

The warning letter goes over how the clinical investigator’s written response did not provide adequate corrective action plans.

 

FDA warning to Mobeen Mazhar, Clinical Investigator

The investigator was cited for failing to ensure the investigation was conducted according to the investigational plan [21 CFR 312.60], and failure to obtain informed consent in accordance with the provisions of 21 CFR part 50 [21 CFR 312.60 and 21 CFR 50.20].

 

 

Educational Resources for Investigators

Office of Human Research Protection (OHRP) Webinars on 45CFR46

 

The Office of Human Research Protection has posted the following webinars recordings and slides:

Respecting Persons- From Basic Requirements to Embracing Participant- Centered Informed Consent 

This presentation reviewed ethical principles, discussed regulatory requirements for informed consent, and offered strategies to develop high-quality, participant-centered informed consent documents and discussions.

View Slides – PDF

View Recording

 

Unlocking the Mysteries of the §46.111 Criteria for IRB Approval of Research

 This presentation explains the criteria for IRB approval of research and includes case studies and interactive quizzes to demonstrate the way the criteria can be applied.

Access Video here

View slides – PDF

 

Doing Research with Data and Biospecimens under the Common Rule Part 1 – What Researchers should know

This presentation explained how the Common Rule applies to secondary research with data and biospecimens.

View Slides – PDF

View Recording

 

Doing Research with Data and Biospecimens under the Common Rule Part 2 – How Does that work with Repositories and Future Use

This presentation explained how the Common Rule applies to research repositories.

View Slides – PDF

View Recording

 

New NSF Responsible Conduct of Research Requirement— Effective 7/31/23

UConn Health is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in the performance, reporting, reviewing and proposing of research and scholarly activity. In support of this commitment and to fulfill funder requirements, UConn Health offers Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training and education with the goal of engaging researchers in the exploration of best ethical practices.

A recent National Science Foundation (NSF) requirement expansion includes RCR training for faculty and other senior personnel, and will require that the training address mentor training and mentorship. These new requirements apply to NSF proposals submitted on or after July 31, 2023.

A list of RCR trainings at UConn Health that fulfill NSF RCR requirements can be found on our UConn Health RCR webpage. Be on the lookout for additions to the RCR offerings in the coming months!

ClinicalTrials.gov Modernization Efforts

Let your voice be heard! ClinicalTrials.gov is getting a facelift and the National Library of Medicine wants your feedback.

 

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is holding a virtual public meeting to discuss the ongoing modernization efforts for ClinicalTrials.gov on April 25th, 2023, from 12:30-3:00 p.m. They will provide a detailed look at the current beta websites–– both the public-facing ClinicalTrials.gov site as well as the entry system site for researchers, known as the Protocol Registration and Results System or PRS. They will provide progress updates and ask for feedback from stakeholders. For the meeting agenda and a link to register, visit the NLM website.

For questions regarding ClinicalTrials.gov at UConn and UConn Health, please contact local PRS Administrator, Ellen Ciesielski

NIH Plan to Enhance Public Access to the Results of NIH-Supported Research (NIH Public Access Plan)

The Office of the Vice President for Research would like to share some information with researchers who may be affected.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is hosting a virtual, public listening session next Wednesday, April 12, 2023, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm for feedback on the NIH Plan to Enhance Public Access to the Results of NIH-Supported Research (NIH Public Access Plan). The virtual listening session will be viewable through NIH Videocast. Further information about the listening session, including the agenda and how to sign up to make oral comments, can be found on the event page of the Office of Science Policy (OSP) website. The slots for oral comments will be provided in the order they are received until all slots have been filled, and must be received by April 10, 2023.

Written Request for Information (RFI) responses on the NIH Public Access Plan will continue to be accepted until April 24, 2023.

For questions, you can contact OSP at SciencePolicy@od.nih.gov.

 

 

HSPP- January-February -March, 2023 – Newsletter

HSPP- January-February -March, 2023 – Newsletter

 

Important Updates about the COVID-19

Single Institutional Review Board (IRB) Exception

 

Based on current COVID-19 trends, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is planning for the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, to expire at the end of the day on May 11, 2023.  The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) is sending this announcement in anticipation of the PHE expiration.

 

On October 8, 2020, OHRP, on behalf of HHS, issued an exception determination as permitted by 45 CFR 46.114(b)(2)(ii) stating that certain categories of cooperative research supported or conducted by HHS and subject to the 2018 Requirements are not required to comply with the single IRB mandate in 45 CFR 46.114(b)(1).  The full text of the exception can be found here: https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/single-irb-exception-determinations/october-2020-exception-determination/index.html

 

Use of this exception is permitted for research that is ongoing or initially reviewed by the IRB during the COVID-19 public health emergency declared by the Secretary of HHS when reliance on a single IRB would not be practical and when the HHS division supporting or conducting the research approves the use of the exception.  OHRP granted this exception due to the unprecedented burden and disruption to the research enterprise caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency, which also necessitated urgent research responses.

 

Institutions and IRBs should be cognizant of the impact that conclusion of the COVID-19 public health emergency will have on the ability to use this exception.  Specifically, as of the date of the conclusion of the public health emergency, the exception will expire and cannot be applied to additional studies.  Research for which the HHS division supporting or conducting the research study has already approved the use of the exception will continue to be excepted from the single IRB requirement, since the exception applies for the duration of the research.

 

Please direct questions to OHRP@hhs.gov or to the HHS division supporting or conducting a particular research activity.

 

An HHS fact sheet on the COVID-19 PHE transition roadmap can be found here: https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/02/09/fact-sheet-covid-19-public-health-emergency-transition-roadmap.html

 

 

 

UConn Health Human Subjects Protection Program (HSPP)

External Research Use of UConn Health

 

External investigators (non-UConn Health personnel) who would like to conduct research recruitment activities at UConn Health which do not engage UConn Health, should complete and submit the Request for UConn Health as a Recruitment Site -Without Engagement and any approved recruitment materials to irb@uchc.edu.

 

External investigators who are in need of UConn Health resources for their research studies are to complete and submit the Confirmation of Available Resources Form (incl Inpatient Stays) .   In this form, the investigator should describe all the resources that will be required for the research study.  Completed forms and a copy of the approved protocol are to be submitted to irb@uchc.edu for approval by research and hospital administration. External protocols should describe the use of UConn Health as a research site.  Researchers will need form approval in order to use resources at UConn Health for research.

 

Study Closures

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: When can I close my study with the IRB?

  •  If the study is an exempt study, the principal investigator (PI) may allow the IRB approval to expire. If so, the IRB will administratively close the study, which does not invalidate the exemption. The research, as proposed to the IRB, may continue. It is not necessary to keep the exemption actively registered with the IRB.

 

  • If the study is a non-exempt study ( e.g., Expedited or full board studies) the PI can only close the study:
  • If the research was not conducted or was canceled, or
  • If each of the following conditions exist:
  • The research is permanently closed to the enrollment of subjects
  • The subjects have completed all research-related interventions
  • The research is no longer active for long-term follow up of subjects
  • Data has been de-identified.

 

Q: I am a Principal Investigator of an active /currently approved study.  I am going to retire from UConn Health.  Do I need to close my active studies?

  • When a PI terminates employment with UConn Health, the PI should submit a modification form requesting transfer of the study to another eligible Principal Investigator.  Alternatively, the PI may submit a closure form to the IRB.
  • If the retired investigator has become an Emeritus professor for UConn Health, he/she can keep the study open and continue as the Principal investigator or co-investigator of the study.  Approval from the HSPP Director is required in these cases.

 

 Q: How do I close an IRB approved study?

  • The PI should submit a Study Closure form through the iRIS system. The closure form should be submitted before the expiration of IRB approval.
  • The investigator can also submit a closure form after he/she has received a notice of lapse of approval.

 

Q: How does the IRB process expired studies, lapsed studies and closure forms?

  •  When a closure form is submitted, the IRB will review any new information provided in the closure form and determine whether any additional action is required on the part of the IRB or the investigator. Upon review of the closure form, the status of the study is changed in the iRIS system (e.g., “Closed by PI”) and an outcome letter is issued confirming the closure.
  • For non-exempt studies: if approval for continuation is not sought, or a request to extend the expected completion date has not been received within a reasonable time frame (e.g. 30 days), IRB staff will administratively close the study and send a written notification to the Principal Investigator of the administrative closure.
  • For exempt studies: when approval has expired and a closure form has not been submitted, the IRB will administratively close the study. (see prior question about closure of exempt studies)
  • For lapsed studies for which a response to contingencies has not been received within a reasonable time frame (e.g. 30 days) the study may administratively be closed.  The IRB will send a written notification to the PI. Prior to closure the IRB will issue a final request for response by email to the PI and study contacts and the PI will be given a reasonable period within which to respond (e.g. one or two weeks)

 

Q: What are the expectations of the IRB with my closed studies?

  • Ensure that all research-related activities, interventions or interactions with human subjects have been completed at the site(s) approved under the Principal Investigator’s IRB application at the time a closure form is submitted to the IRB or at the time of approval expiration, whichever occurs first.
  • The PI will continue to maintain confidentiality protections of the data as outlined in the protocol, consent and IRB documents.
  • Ensure that all subject identifiers connected with the research data have been destroyed in compliance with an  approved Waiver of  Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Authorization (if applicable) and if the investigator indicated in the IRB application that all subject identifiers would be destroyed upon completion of the research.
  • Retain research records in accordance with IRB Policies  2011-024.0.pdf – File Requirements & Record Retention Requirements and 2015-024.1.pdf – Record Retention Format.
  • Ensure any specific regulatory and/or sponsor requirements are met for record retention or submission of reports.
  • If after a study is closed, the investigator seeks to engage in an activity such that the criteria for closure listed above would no longer be met, the Principal Investigator must submit a new application for IRB review and approval for the use of the previously collected data.

 

 

Office of Human Research Protection (OHRP)

Short Videos – Educational Resources for Investigators

 

The Office of Human Research Protection has posted a series of short educational videos on research with private information and biospecimens.   These videos are titled: “Regulatory Options for Secondary Research with Private Info and Biospecimens Part 1 and Part 2.”

Part 1 of these videos explains how to apply the regulations when doing research with data and/or biospecimens under the revised common rule.

This video discusses the concept of secondary research and how secondary research can be done under the revised Common Rule.

Definitions and examples of the following concepts are described in detail:

  • What is secondary research and identifiable information.
  • What is secondary research with nonidentifiable materials
  • What is secondary research with identifiable materials
  • Doing research with coded biospecimens and/or coded private information -When is human subject research?

 

Part 2 discuss how to address consent and HIPAA in a primary study when the investigator plans to share identifiable information for secondary research.

 

Investigators who watch the above videos should keep in mind that Exemption Categories 7 and 8 are not utilized at UCONN HEALTH.

 

Office of Human Research Protection (OHRP)

NIH Grants Conference in December 2022- Recording

The Office of Human Research Protection has made public the recording of a presentation provided last December 6, 2022 at the virtual NIH Grants Conference:

The presentation “ How Do I Know if a Research Study is Human Subjects Research and What Does that Really Mean? “ explains what makes a study “human subjects research” under the Common Rule, what responsibilities that entails, and what flexibilities may be available to simplify review for human research protections.

This presentation explains in detail our UConn Health Human Subject Research Determination Form.doc  definitions and provides examples of research determinations.

 

  

UConn Health IRB Polices Revisions

The following UConn Health IRB Policies have been updated with language related to the 2019 revised common rule:

 

 

 

Personnel Changes at the HSPP/IRB

 

 New Research Compliance Monitor in HSPP:  After working at UConn Health for many years as a research associate/coordinator, Rebecca Burke has joined our team as Research Compliance Monitor for the HSPP.   You can reach Rebecca  at burke@uchc.edu and 860-679-3054.

 

 

 

 

 

Important Notice on Proposal Submission Policy

Revision Date: March 8, 2021 – revisions in italics

As an applicant organization, UConn/UConn Health has an institutional responsibility to verify the accuracy, validity, conformity, and eligibility of all applications submitted to a sponsor on behalf of the University. We have been exploring how to ensure the best delivery of services, meet sponsor and institutional policy requirements that were highlighted in the recent NSF audit, and to ensure that the University has sufficient time to review and certify proposals and increase the number of successful applications. To that end, we have conducted a survey of all faculty who submitted grant proposals within the last two years, listened to the research community’s comments at town halls, and solicited input from the President, Provost, deans, associate deans for research, the President’s Research Advisory Council, University Senate, and other faculty groups.

This listening process revealed that one of the main challenges for both investigators and staff is the bottleneck that occurs immediately prior to proposal submission. In recent years, nearly two-thirds of proposals submitted (with all components ready) are received by Sponsored Program Services (SPS) within one working day or less of the sponsor deadline.

Numerous proposals are being submitted just barely in time, meaning there is little time for a thorough review. Additionally, proposals that have been submitted to SPS far in advance also routinely lack a timely and thorough review because other proposals with an earlier deadline came in and “cut the line.”

To begin to remedy the proposal submission bottleneck, beginning May 5, 2021, the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) will implement the current policy on internal deadlines for the review and submission of sponsored project proposals. The process change aims to reduce last day proposal submissions and will prioritize proposals as received. Once the policy is implemented, final administrative components of a proposal must be received by SPS Pre-Award at least five full business days in advance of the submission due date (along with a draft of the scientific components). The final submission ready proposal is due to SPS no later than noon the day before the sponsor deadline.

Exceptions include short turnaround RFPs, last minute sponsor requests, or a last minute opportunity to join a proposal under submission by another institution. Also, each UConn investigator will be given one pass to use in the event they are not able to meet the internal five-day deadline. As is the current practice, SPS Pre-Award will make every effort to submit these proposals when possible. Please visit the OVPR website for additional information and FAQs regarding the internal deadline policy.

To increase faculty support related to proposal preparation, the OVPR will be taking the following additional steps:

  • The OVPR is working to address situations where investigators do not have dedicated administrative support for the preparation of a proposal; we will continue to increase staff training opportunities, extend faculty service offerings, and work to simplify the submission process.
  • The OVPR will implement a dashboard to increase transparency and provide information on the status and order of review.
  • The OVPR will provide additional research development services, such as grant editing and proofreading, proposal review, large and complex grant support, and research funding consultation. Further information regarding these services and how to request them is available on the OVPR Research Development section of this website.
  • The OVPR will continue to work with and incorporate feedback from faculty working groups.  Upon recommendation of the University Senate, the President formed a sponsored projects working group to identify impediments to the expeditious review of sponsored project proposals in advance of deadlines.  The group’s report is available on the University Senate website.

Development, review, and submission timeline:

Full Business Days Before Submission Deadline

>6 days: PI provides application components to local grants administrator (or Faculty Services)

5 days: Complete application (plus draft scientific components) and IPR submitted to SPS

5-2 days: SPS reviews proposal and provides feedback

2 days: Corrections made and all approvals in place

Noon day before deadline: Final proposal and PI authorization to submit to sponsor provided to SPS

1-0 days before deadline: Proposal submitted

SPS is responsible for ensuring that applications are compliant and that institutional and sponsor guidelines are met including administrative, management, and scientific information. Please contact Paul Hudobenko (hudobenko@uchc.edu/UConn Health) or Mark Reeves (mark.reeves@uconn.edu/Storrs and Regionals) with questions as we move to a consistent and sustainable process.

Thank you for your continued cooperation in our collaborative efforts to advance UConn’s mission through innovative research, scholarship, and creative pursuits.