Research Compliance News
Institutional Biosafety Committee Public Meeting 2024
Pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Boston Public Health Commissions Biological Laboratory Regulations, the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) of Boston University (BU) will hold its annual public meeting on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from noon – 3pm. The meeting will be held online (via Zoom) and may also be joined by... More
Changes to Medical Clearance Requirements for Research
BU’s requirements for medical clearance for research are changing. Beginning immediately, researchers working on a biosafety level 1 (BSL-1) protocol who do not work with animals no longer require medical clearance from the Research Occupational Health Program (ROHP). Researchers working on BSL-1 protocols who do work with animals (excluding fish and amphibians) or... More
Memo: Lab Animal Per Diem Rate Changes, May 29, 2024
TO: Boston University Deans, Department Chairs, Principal Investigators, Department Administrators, and Grant Administrators FROM: Gloria Waters, Vice President and Associate Provost for Research Karen Antman, Provost, Medical Campus, and Dean, School of Medicine DATE: May 29, 2024 SUBJECT: Lab Animal Per Diem Rate Changes Boston University is committed to efficiently managing its animal care facilities and to reviewing costs... More
Prohibition on Participation in Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
The US government has raised concerns about foreign government interference at research institutions receiving federal funds and has issued new policies and guidance to safeguard national security. This memo outlines in detail concerns related to participation by US-based researchers in “Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs" (MFTRPs), including BU’s policy on... More
Procedural Changes for Expedited Review of Human Subjects Research
The Charles River Campus Institutional Review Board (CRC IRB) is discontinuing annual progress reports for expedited research and moving instead to a triennial review cycle. For research teams, this will go into effect at the next expedited annual progress report review and will apply to all newly approved expedited research... More
BU Welcomes New Dive Safety Officer, Elizabeth McNamee
This month, the University welcomes Lizzie McNamee as the new Dive Safety Program Manager in BU Environmental Health & Safety and the Dive Safety Officer for the BU Scientific Diving Program. She is responsible for ensuring that all BU-sponsored scientific underwater diving activities, international and local, are carried out in... More
Changes to Responsible Conduct of Research Requirements for National Science Foundation Investigators and Key Personnel
TO: Boston University Faculty FROM: Sarah Hokanson, Assistant Vice President & Assistant Provost for Research Development and PhD & Postdoctoral Affairs; Director, Responsible Conduct of Research Kathryn Mellouk, Associate Vice President for Research Compliance DATE: October 16, 2023 SUBJECT: Changes to Responsible Conduct of Research Requirements for National Science Foundation Investigators and Key Personnel The CHIPS and Science... More
BU Guidelines on Research with Potential Pandemic Pathogen Oversight Published
In March 2023, the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB), a Federal advisory committee that addresses issues related to biosecurity and dual use research, provided recommendations for the development of a more comprehensive and integrated framework for the oversight of research with pathogens and toxins that may pose significant... More
Power Outage at BUMC, October 7-9
In preparation for the planned electrical shutdown taking place from October 7-9, 2023, Facilities Management & Operations (FMO) has been coordinating with departments and occupants of affected buildings to take proactive steps to safeguard the integrity of valuable research, ensure the continuity of essential services, and minimize any potential inconvenience... More
New Leadership for Research Security at Boston University
We are pleased to announce Sarah Porter, JD, MS, will be serving as Boston University’s new Research Security Director. As Research Security Director, Sarah will be responsible for coordinating the University’s compliance with research security regulatory requirements under the National Security Presidential Memorandum – 33 (NSPM-33). NSPM-33 research security encompasses disclosure... More