Research Resources

The Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) is centered on the belief that providing resources to the research community helps to ensure the conduct of ethical research. This in turn leads to the protection of individuals who choose to participate in the wide array of projects available across campus. Our professional staff, many of whom have backgrounds in research, are available to assist research teams in navigating the complexities of the regulatory landscape. Over the last year there have been a number of exciting changes including the rollout of our new electronic submission system (PittPRO), the implementation of the Revised Common Rule, building the infrastructure necessary to support the use of a single IRB, and developing our capacity to serve as the single IRB for Pitt researchers conducting multi-site studies.

The primary purpose of the University of Pittsburgh’s hSCRO Committee is to ensure that all federal and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regulations governing the conduct of human embryonic stem cell research are met and that other human stem cell research is conducted in accordance with the general principles expressed in the National Academies’ Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, with the policies and procedures adopted by the hSCRO Committee, and with other relevant University of Pittsburgh research policies. Human embryonic stem cell research conducted at the University must also comply with the applicable NIH Guidelines for Human Stem Cell Research.

As there may be potential ethical concerns with any pluripotent stem cell research, the hSCRO Committee’s purview includes oversight of both embryonic and certain types of non-embryonic stem cell research. The hSCRO Committee’s specialized expertise and knowledge of the broad scope of human stem cell research being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh allows the Committee to serve as a valuable resource.

Launched by the Office of the Provost in 2013, the Innovation Institute is the University's hub for activities that promote and foster innovation and entrepreneurship on campus and throughout the Pittsburgh region. The Innovation Institute is built on a foundation supported by education, collaboration, communication, and economic development.

The goals of the Institute are to encourage and support innovation and entrepreneurship on campus and in the community, and to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at Pitt among faculty, staff and students.

[Technology Management]

The University of Pittsburgh Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) oversees the university's animal programs, facilities and procedures insuring the appropriate care, use, and humane treatments of animals being used for research, testing and education. The IACUC serves as a resource to faculty, investigators, technicians, students, staff, and administrators, providing guidance in fulfilling the obligation to plan and conduct all animal use procedures with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles.

The University of Pittsburgh Institutional Biosafety (IBC) Committee is responsible for reviewing and ensuring compliance with the NIH Guidelines on all research activities that involve recombinant DNA (rDNA) including human gene transfer clinical trials.

For guidance on export of dual-use research items, please contact the Office of Research.

The program provides training to individuals in the Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, and its affiliated institutions, who wish to participate in biomedical and medical research and clinical activities.  Currently, the program has developed modules relating to Responsible Conduct of Research, Patient Safety & Risk Management, Safety Training and UPMC Related Training. 

Review the requirement charts

The UPCI Investigational Drug Services (IDS) oversees all pharmacy procedures and processes for UPMC Hillman Cancer Center (UHCC) and clinical sites where UHCC-sponsored studies are implemented. The service is responsible for coordinating and managing the investigational drug inventory, storage, distribution, and record keeping for UPCI clinical research studies. The IDS facilitates the conduct of early phase clinical trials throughout the network sites by developing strategies for drug preparation and delivery in sites that are not currently involved in clinical trials. (formerly UPCI)

UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, Presbyterian Campus

The Investigational Drug Service (IDS), UPMC Department of Pharmacy, evaluates planned procedures for ordering, receipt, storage, preparation, dispensing, and billing of drugs used in research studies.  The IDS also evaluates procedures to ensure compliance with informed consent documentation, and the provision of critical information on investigational new drugs to the Study Coordinators, Investigators and Pharmacy Staff.

The University of Pittsburgh Office for Investigator-Sponsored IND and IDE Support (O3IS) is a combined service of the Office of Clinical Research, Health Sciences, the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, and the Research Conduct and Compliance Office; established for the purpose of providing assistance to University researchers involved in the development and submission of investigator-sponsored Investigational New Drug (IND) applications and Investigational Device Exemptions (IDEs) for acceptance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the conduct of clinical research studies under such FDA-accepted applications and exemptions. 

OACD is dedicated to providing professionals in the schools of the health sciences (the Schools of Dental Medicine, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences) with the professional tools, resources, and support they need to achieve their full potential as leaders in biomedical research, education, and clinical practice. As a model for comprehensive academic career development programs internationally, OACD seeks to empower the academic health science community, including graduate and medical students, postdoctoral associates and scholars, residents, clinical associates, and faculty by providing academic career development guidance, training, and support.