Research Department at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso

The Office of Research is the primary resource and catalyst for advancing research at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso. Our mission is to promote and support research by providing high quality service to investigators, fostering new research initiatives, promoting the prevention of disease and the treatment of illness, motivating and educating future leaders in health sciences, and serving as an advocate for the value of research in an educational setting.

We provide leadership, direction, and management of research administration, infrastructure and services, and oversee the operations of the following areas: the Office of Research, Sponsored Programs (SP), the Centers of Emphasis and the research committees and services.

New NIH Policy on Data Management and Sharing, Effective January 2023

NIH Final Policy for Data Management and Sharing (NOT-OD-21-013)

Statement from NIH Director Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D.

Notice and Context from NIH Associate Director for Science Policy, Carrie Wolinetz, Ph.D.

Quick Guide to Research Compliance Requirements at TTUHSC El Paso

Overview

The information in this guide outlines research compliance requirements for faculty and staff conducting research at TTUHSC El Paso. Also, please review TTUHSC El Paso OP 73.08 for information about who can serve as a principal investigator for a research project or a grant at TTUHSC El Paso.

Research projects requiring review by the Institutional Review Board (human subjects), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (vertebrate animals), or Institutional Biosafety Committee (biological or chemical agents) will be required to be submitted to the appropriate committee using the iRIS software system. An account may be requested here: https://ttuep.imedris.net/.

Research Involving Humans

An approved Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol is required for each research project using human subjects (including, but not limited to, investigation of new drugs, medical/radiological/behavioral studies, tissues or blood, medical record reviews, surveys or questionnaires). Prerequisites for submitting a protocol for IRB review include successful completion of the CITl (www.citiprogram.org) Human Subjects Research Course and Conflict of Interest course. Other prerequisite courses may include: Clinical Research Coordinator, Good Clinical Practice, and Informed Consent Training. An up-to-date financial disclosure document (see below) is also required. Research involving human stem cells must be in accord with established NIH guidelines (see: http://stemcells.nih.gov/policy/pages/2009guidelines.aspx), and must be approved by the IRB and TTUHSC El Paso. For a complete list of requirements for the use of human subjects in research, please refer to TTUHSC El Paso’s Human Research Protection Program Manual TTUHSC El Paso's Human Research Protection Program Manual. Additional information may be found at http://www.ttuhscep.edu/research/committees/irb/default.aspx. For other questions, please contact Raquelle Fernandez, IRB #1 Lead Analyst or Dai Hermosillo, IRB #2 Lead Analyst.

Research Involving Animals

An approved Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocol is required for each research project using vertebrate animals. Prerequisites for submitting a protocol for IACUC review include successful completion of the CITl (www.citiprogram.org) courses specific to the animals and procedures to be used and Conflict of Interest course. An up-to-date financial disclosure document (see below) is also required. Enrollment in the Occupational Safety and Health Program is also required. For a complete list of requirements for the use of vertebrate animals in research please refer to https://ttuhscep.edu/research/committees/iacuc/default.aspx. For other questions, please contact Amanda Ortiz, IACUC/IBC Lead Analyst.

Research Involving Chemicals, Biologicals, or Recombinant DNA

Research utilizing any biological or chemical agent or involving the use of recombinant or synthetic DNA requires approval from the TTUHSC El Paso Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) before it is initiated. For a complete list of requirements for the use of biological or chemical agents in research, please refer to TTUHSC El Paso’s IBC Policies and Procedures Manual found at: https://ttuhscep.edu/research/committees/ibc/default.aspx. For other questions, please contact Amanda Ortiz, IACUC/IBC Lead Analyst.

Research Involving Radioisotopes

TTUHSC El Paso Radiation Safety Committee Approval is required. For more information, please refer to https://ttuhscep.edu/safety/radiation.aspx. For research related radiation procedures that will take place at UMC, UMC Radiation Safety Committee Approval is required. Please email the Chair at jesus.diaz@ttuhsc.edu with information regarding the procedures, and attach a copy of the protocol.

Financial Conflict of Interest in Research

All TTUHSC El Paso investigators/personnel conducting research are required to submit an annual financial disclosure statement to the Office of Research via the iRIS platform at https://ttuep.imedris.net/. These statements are reviewed by the TTUHSC El Paso Conflict of Interest in Research Committee (COIRC) to determine if a perceived or actual conflict of interest may exist. A Conflict Management Plan will be required if such a conflict is identified. All investigators/research personnel and members of TTUHSC El Paso research compliance committees are also required to complete the online CITI Conflict of Interest training found at www.citiprogram.org. Guides on accessing and submitting the financial disclosure form within iRIS may be found here: https://ttuhscep.edu/research/committees/coirc/financial-disclosure.aspx. For more information, please refer to https://ttuhscep.edu/research/committees/coirc/default.aspx or contact Josue Cardoza, COIRC Lead Analyst.

Other Possible Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts of interest in the non-research realm or conflicts of commitment also may need to be addressed by TTUHSC El Paso employees. These issues are reviewed by the TTUHSC El Paso Conflict of Interest and Commitment Committee. For more information, please refer to https://ttuhscep.edu/compliance/default.aspx

Export Controls

Research that will involve the transfer of information, technologies, or commodities to individuals (including US citizens) in a foreign country, or to foreign nationals in the U.S. are subject to Export Control laws. Export controls also govern potential use of a laptop computer, cell phone, or other devices containing TTUHSC El Paso information or data in a foreign country. Additional Information can be found here: https://ttuhscep.edu/elpaso/opp/_documents/73/op7316.pdf. For related questions, please contact Jackie Roberts, Research Compliance Officer.

Grant Proposals

For a complete list of requirements for preparing and submitting grant applications, please refer to https://ttuhscep.edu/research/osp/. For questions, please contact the Sponsored Programs (SP).

Commercialization/Tech Transfer

Questions regarding invention disclosures, patents, or licensing of inventions should be addressed to the Office of Research Commercialization at Texas Tech University. For more information, please refer to https://www.depts.ttu.edu/vpr/commercialization/ or contact Cameron Smith, TTUS Commercialization Director, or Hutton Jones, Senior Licensing Associate.

TTUHSC El Paso Research