Office of Research Integrity

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is the committee that reviews and approves human subject research for the purpose of protecting the rights and welfare of participants. The Board is charged with the responsibility of formulating and implementing procedures to assure compliance with federal, state and institutional regulations for the welfare and well-being (physical, mental, social, legal, etc.) of human subjects involved in research projects in which UTSA is engaged or for which UTSA otherwise exercises oversight.

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) assures the well-being and proper care of all vertebrate animals used for research and educational purposes. UTSA serves the public by ensuring institutional compliance with all legal and ethical standards regarding the use of animals in research.

The Laboratory Animal Resources Center (LARC) advises and educates researchers, staff and students on animal experimentation issues and promotes best practices for the responsible use of animals.

UTSA seeks to identify and manage conflicting relationships, restricting activities where necessary, to preserve research integrity, independent decision-making, and protection of research subjects. This process is necessary to meet federal funding agency and state requirements and to ensure transparency and oversight.

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews proposals for the use of recombinant DNA, infectious agents, and vertebrate animal tissues for approval. In addition, ORI provides training and oversight of UTSA’s High Containment research laboratories designed to study infectious diseases.

The Chemical Safety Committee (CSC) reviews and approves applications for the safe receipt, use, storage and disposal of specified hazardous chemicals and toxins of non-biologic origin, and reviews and advises on engineering controls and personal protective equipment relative to chemical and toxic hazards.

The Radiation and Laser Safety Committee (R&LSC) monitors and reviews the activities with regard to the use of radioactive materials and other forms of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation; exercises approval authority of all proposals; and oversees compliance with all requirements for maintenance of records for the review, approval and monitoring of the licensing, purchase, shipment, storage, use and disposal of radioactive materials and sources of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. The committee also monitors and reviews all work on campus involving the use of lasers.

ORI helps navigate the regulations concerning export controls. All international transactions, agreements, visitors, travel, and shipments are reviewed by ORI to determine if people, technology, or countries pose any export control concerns. These concerns may involve, but are not limited to export control laws, federal regulations, national security, foreign policy, or competitive trade.

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) recognizes the value that visiting scholars and researchers bring to UTSA. Such visits foster collaboration, diversity, and professional relationships, enrich the academic environment, and enhance UTSA’s mission of excellence and innovation in teaching, research and community service.

UTSA Faculty and Staff may invite qualified individuals to visit UTSA on a temporary basis to participate in scholarship activities or to perform research. Departments, centers, faculty, researchers, and administrators at UTSA who intend to invite or host visitors on a temporary basis should follow the guidelines and processes provided under HOP 1.34, Visiting Scholars and Researchers.

Training in the responsible conduct of research is intended to sensitize students and staff involved in research to a wide range of ethical and professional issues in order to foster integrity and deter scholarly misconduct. Online and classroom training are offered and meet funding agency requirements.

Contact

Kathryn (Kat) Carrillo
(210) 458-4340 or kathryn.carrillo@utsa.edu
GSR 2.116E