Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a committee responsible for ensuring that the animal housing, care and use in research labs meets Federal standards and guidelines. The IACUC meets to review policy changes and to review research proposals including animals. Committee members are appointed by the Institutional Official.

It is the responsibility of the IACUC to ensure compliance with Federal regulations concerning the use and welfare of animals in teaching and research. The IACUC also strives to ensure that all use of animals under the auspices of SRU are held to the highest ethical standards.

The IACUC exists to serve the entire SRU community by providing oversight of animal use in teaching and research. The IACUC meets on a regular basis to review animal use protocols submitted by members of the SRU community, to ensure that the use proposed are both humane and necessary.

Federal animal welfare regulations require that an IACUC review and approve all activities involving the use of vertebrate animals prior to the initiation of these activities. Compliance with animal welfare regulations is mandatory and is the responsibility of all individuals who choose to work with live vertebrate animals. This mandate includes animals used for instructional purposes as well as for individual and collaborative research.

If you witness improper use of vertebrate animals in research or teaching activities at Slippery Rock University, please notify the Institutional Officer below or the IACUC Office at 724.738.2094. Slippery Rock University keeps reports of animal mistreatment anonymous, and ensures witness protection from discrimination or reprisal.

IACUC Office

Simon Beeching, Ph.D., IACUC Chair
Rachel Seminatore, Secretary
Old Main, Room 302
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
Phone: 724.738.4846

IACUC Institutional Officer

Dr.  Nicole Dafoe, Ph.D., Dean of College of Engineering & Science 
325 School of Physical Therapy Building
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
Phone: 724.738.4955