Coronavirus Initial Communication (Research)

March 12, 2020

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Following up on President Eighmy’s announcement yesterday regarding operational changes, I am writing to provide some additional information regarding impact to research activities at UTSA.

While only a percentage of faculty is directly involved in active research, many people across campus help sustain research activities. We are providing this update so that the campus community is informed of current procedures in place and key contacts should they have any questions or concerns.

The Office of the Vice President for Research, Economic Development, and Knowledge Enterprise (VPREDKE) remains open and fully staffed. Research business operations will continue as usual, and we do not expect research activities to be interrupted at this juncture. Students and postdoctoral fellows are welcome to continue to engage in research activities.

Research Integrity

REDKE staff is available to assist research and laboratory personnel to adjust their operations as needed. This includes modifications to protocols, physical lab spaces, or immediate training of new personnel. Our main office line is 458-4340.

Contacts:

• Human Subjects Protections/IRB: Marcia Isaacs x6179 or Tammy Lopez x6473
• Visiting Scholars: Robert Mitchell x4233 or Lisa Montoya x7370
• Biosafety: Amanda Haley x8515
• Hazardous Waste Management: Richard Garza x5808 or Amanda Haley x8515

Research Integrity:  Lab Safety

Our Lab Safety team has prepared a set of resource documents to provide general guidance on running and preparing a lab should there be any future interruption based on illness or overall university closure.

In the event of a closure, the door signage template should be used to indicate to Public Safety how the lab has been left, who the lab point of contact is, and which ongoing checks will be done to maintain research activities, if any.

• Download CONTINUITY GUIDANCE FOR RESEARCH FACILITIES 
• Download EFFECTIVE HANDWASHING
• Download DOOR SIGNAGE
• Contacts: Laboratory Safety: Amanda Haley x8515 or Dianna Olukotun x5807

Research Integrity:  Laboratory Animal Resources Center (LARC)

LARC has been preparing to minimize impacts to ongoing research activities if the situation escalates, including closure. LARC is storing additional feed, water, bedding, PPE, disinfectant, chemicals, wipes, spray bottles, and more.  LARC staff will stay in communication with researchers throughout this process and, where possible, partner with teams to maintain continuity. Please let us know if you have specific needs and suggestions.

Public awareness of the coronavirus has led to a shortage of surgical masks. In the animal facilities, these masks are only required in the BSL-2 rooms.  Staff and students have been asked to refrain from using them in other areas of the animal facility unless instructed otherwise by LARC staff, based on evolving updates from the OHP nurse.

• Contacts: Marcel Perret-Gentil x6321 or Luis Zorrilla x6692 | LARC@utsa.edu

Sponsored Project Administration: Research Service Centers and Contracts and Industry Agreements

The three Research Service Centers, Contracts and Industry Agreements and Sponsored Project Administration remain open and fully staffed.

• Sponsored Project Administration Contact: Sandra Garcia x8250

Contracts and Industry Agreements

• Jessica C. Fernandez x8575 or Joshua Trigo x6587

Research Service Center for Sciences and Engineering

• Amy Ossola-Phillips x6472 or Mary Riedel x8791

Research Service Center for Arts-Business-Education

• Jennifer Silver x4234 or Jesse Hernandez x6852

Research Service Center for Downtown

• Theresa Bailey x4226 or Angelika Rocha x4118

Commercialization and Innovation

Services offered by the Office of Commercialization and Innovation will continue to be available for those working on campus or remotely as follows:

Using your myUTSA ID and Password:

• Technology Disclosure: Electronic disclosure is available via utsa.edu/invent
• Review status of current disclosures via wellspringsoftware.net
• Contacts: Christine Burke x8140 or Neal Guenzel x4458 | oci@utsa.edu

Research Support and Strategic Research Initiatives

Research Support is transferring faculty development trainings and workshops to virtual platforms wherever feasible. Plans are to maintain as much of the full schedule of offerings as is possible throughout the spring semester. Access details will be sent to all registered participants and will be updated on the REDKE events page and other applicable calendars.

Following UTSA guidelines, meetings and external partnership engagements expected to have 50+ attendees will move to virtual platforms wherever possible.

• Contacts:  Jaclyn Shaw x6767 or Liana Ryan x7339 | ors@utsa.edu

Research Finance and Operations

Grants and Contracts Financial Services will remain in full operation to ensure project set ups, sponsor billing, and financial reporting are completed on schedule.

• Contacts: Daniel Anzak x5905 or Lisa Pettit x5337

Research Core Facilities will continue to be operational. Any changes will be posted to the individual core and/or iLab website.

• Contact: Desiree Porter x5164

Research Computing and Business Intelligence (REDKE) will remain available to help with all REDKE applications located on the Research Portal.

• Contact: VPR Help Desk x7805

Research Computing Support Group (part of University Technology Solutions)

All forms of support from the Research Computing Support Group (RCSG) are still available with the exception of the VizLab.

The VizLab remains closed until April 13 or until further guidance is released, with scheduled tours being cancelled for the time being.

• Contact: RCSG@utsa.edu

Moving forward, our office will provide updates on the UTSA Coronavirus site. We will also cross-post on the research site as well.

We thank you for your attention and cooperation. Please contact us should you have any questions.