Mission
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a federally mandated committee that oversees all aspects of the institution’s animal care and use program, facilities and procedures. The regulations of the USDA and PHS require institutions using animals to appoint an IACUC. The members of the IACUC are appointed by the Dean of Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (Einstein).
The regulatory charges of the IACUC include, but are not limited to:
- Overseeing the use of vertebrate animals for research and teaching
- Establishing policies for ethical animal use and ensures that such use is compliant with federal, state and local regulations
- Reviewing all animal use protocols and modifications requesting approval for the use of vertebrate animals
- Investigating all reports of animal mistreatment
- Overseeing animal husbandry and veterinary care provided by the Institute for Animal Studies (IAS)
- Overseeing training of faculty, students and staff on the use of experimental animals
- Recommending changes in service fees and reviews proposed budgets for the IAS, as a Dean’s committee
- Conducting inspections all areas where animals are housed and used, including but not limited to the institution’s animal facilities, individual laboratories and satellite facilities on a routine basis
- Reviewing the institution’s program for animal care and use at least twice a year (semiannually)
- Perform post-approval monitoring of approved animal use protocols and modifications
The IACUC normally meets once a month (see Calendar). In order to determine when your animal use protocols and/or modifications requesting approval for the use of vertebrate animals will be reviewed by the IACUC, please see: Deadline for Submission of Protocols/Modifications
Animal Welfare Policy
As noted above, the IACUC is charged with investigating any reports concerning the welfare, care and treatment of research animals from members of the Einstein community or from individuals outside of Einstein. All reports are held in strict confidence and no employee shall be subject to discrimination or reprisal for reporting animal welfare concerns. To report an animal welfare concern, you may call 718.839.7144 or submit an e-mail to: maria.reaves@einstein.yu.edu, or any of the IACUC members.