ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University's Office of Research Compliance, which oversees research involving animal and human subjects, has promoted three staff members to management positions and has hired a new coordinator for human subjects research.
Charles Wilson and Scott Carpenter have been promoted to associate director and assistant director, respectively, of laboratory animal resources. Rebecca Cale has been promoted to associate director of research compliance, and Robin Stack has been hired as human subjects coordinator. The staff changes are a response to an increase in research activity at Ohio University, which has grown significantly in the last decade. The promotions are the final stage of a reorganization of two units in the Vice President for Research division -- the Office of Compliance and the Office of Laboratory Animal Resources -- which merged to create the Office of Research Compliance this spring.
The new office is responsible for ensuring all faculty, students and staff who do research involving human subjects or animals comply with federal standards imposed by such agencies as the Office for Human Research Protections and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, both of which have created new, stricter policies related to research on people or animals.
Wilson, who has worked at Ohio University since 1982, previously served as assistant director of laboratory animal resources. He now manages the animal care program, oversees the daily operations of the animal facilities and assists with fiscal matters. He holds an associate's degree in wildlife management from Hocking College and has been a member of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) and the Central Ohio Branch of the AALAS (COBAALAS) since 1987. He received the Technologist of the Year Award and the Distinguished Service Award from COBAALAS in 1994 and 1997, respectively.
Carpenter, a staff member since 1992, previously served as a laboratory animal technician. He now manages the animal care facilities and the staff of laboratory animal resources. He holds a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Ohio University and has been a member of AALAS since 1992 and a member of COBAALAS since 1994. In 1997, he received the Laboratory Animal Technician of the Year Award from COBAALAS and from a four-state regional chapter of AALAS. In 1999, he received the Laboratory Animal Technologist of the Year Award from the national association, the regional chapter and from COBAALAS.
Cale, who has worked at the university for 13 years, previously served as compliance manager. She continues to manage the human subjects protections program, ensuring that Ohio University remains in compliance with federal research regulations. This includes reviewing research protocols with the university's Institutional Review Board (IRB), organizing educational outreach activities, and developing new programs and initiatives to respond to changes in the federal regulations. Cale holds an associate's degree in business from Hocking College.
Stack, who joined the university in August 2000, previously worked as senior secretary in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. In her new position, she will assist Cale and the IRB with reviewing research protocols and will maintain all records and correspondence to document the university's compliance with federal regulations on human subjects research. Stack holds a practical nursing license from Hocking College.
"Ohio University is fortunate to have professionals with lengthy experience and proven commitment to laboratory animal care and research compliance available to step up into these roles," said Jo Ellen Sherow, director of the Office of Research Compliance. "Faculty should experience a seamless transition with the promotion of these individuals."
An increase in research activity at the university has heightened demand for the office's services. In 2000, 300 proposals were submitted to the IRB, which reviews all research involving human subjects. The number of proposals for animal research submitted to the university's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee rose from 22 in 1999 to 33 in 2000. The office's laboratory animal resources unit feeds, houses and cares for animals and assists with about 100 research projects annually.
More information on the Office of Research Compliance can be found at www.ohiou.edu/research/compliance/
