Research Resources

The University of Pittsburgh has put policies in place - consistent with federal guidelines - that require the reporting and management of the potential conflicts of interest of its faculty, administrators, and staff. The Conflict of Interest Web site makes available COI-related policies and procedures, compliance forms, resource and training materials, and other information on this important issue that will be of interest to the University community.

Contact EHS to obtain information and assistance concerning Health and safety within the laboratories and offices at the University. The objectives of the University of Pittsburgh General Health and Safety Program are to:

• identify potential hazards to health and safety at the University of Pittsburgh;
• prescribe suitable means for the evaluation and control of hazards;
• investigate all accidents and institute corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence;
• provide guidance for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and make specific reference to such regulations where appropriate;
• promote health and safety awareness among University faculty, staff, and students by developing and implementing effective training programs to minimize the impact of workplace hazards. 

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.

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 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)

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. 

The Policy Office administers the policy development process, manages policy publication and catalogs, and advises on policy-related inquiries and education. On this site you can find a complete repository of current University Policies and their supporting documents. The site also provides details regarding the policy development and approval process, and useful information to help support policy development and management at the University.

The Office of Research Integrity is available to faculty, staff, and students to answer questions about the application or interpretation of research integrity standards. It also advises academic units in the planning of periodic educational sessions to alert their faculty, graduate students, and other researchers to research integrity issues. The Office of Research Integrity is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the conduct of inquiries and investigations by peer faculty groups into allegations of research misconduct and for maintaining liaison on these matters with outside agencies that sponsor research. To consult with the Research Integrity Officer or to request copies of the Research Integrity Policy (University Policy 11-01-01) or the Guidelines for Ethical Practice in Research, telephone 412-624-3007.