IACUC Administrators Association (IAA)

IAA is a professional organization promoting collaboration, professional development, and continuing education in animal care and use compliance across diverse sectors like academia and industry. It serves as a hub for knowledge exchange and networking. Faculty focus on understanding applicable regulations, maintaining compliant animal care and use programs, and developing effective and efficient practices for program management.

Overall, the IAA ensures well-rounded professional development opportunities for individuals at various stages of their careers in biosafety administration, equipping them with the expertise needed to effectively navigate the complexities of the field.

Programs Support

Joining and maintaining a membership with the IAA ensures a myriad of benefits, including access to exclusive program discounts. Staying connected guarantees ongoing opportunities to save on essential programs, resources, and services that can significantly impact your professional development and organizational efficiency.

IAA activities are partially supported by OLAW, NIH and through memberships and event attendance fees.  We ask that you please become a new member or maintain your membership status (memberships are renewed annually).  If you are a current member of the IAA, you are free to attend webinars at no charge.  Individuals that are non-members or those with expired memberships are asked to provide $75 in support for each webinar they attend.

Webinar Objectives

The objective of each webinar is to provide participants the opportunity to hold engaging conversations on practical tried and tested program management/operation techniques to achieve a desired goal.  To help initiate discussions, a member of the research compliance community will present ideas that focus on the topic of choice.  Colleagues will then participate in open discussions and help to refine and validate proposed practices.  Participants are encouraged to submit (wggreer@umich.edu) questions regarding the defined topic PRIOR TO the event.  During each session, attendees will be encouraged to discuss their own institutions practices and ideas.

Brief Agenda and Discussion Points

During the webinar, we will discuss the aspects around a “Risk-Benefit” IACUC review.

The Risk Benefit review is a process conducted by the IACUC to assess the potential risks and benefits associated with proposed animal research protocols. The review aims to evaluate whether the scientific or educational goals of the research justify the use of animals and whether the potential benefits outweigh the potential harms or discomfort to the animals involved.

During the review process, the IACUC considers various factors, including, for example:

1. Scientific or educational significance of the research.

2. Potential benefits to human or animal health, welfare, or understanding.

3. The number of animals required and the potential impact on their well-being.

4. Methods used to minimize pain and distress to the animals.

5. Alternatives to animal use, such as computer models or cell cultures, and their feasibility.

The IACUC may approve, modify, or reject research protocols based on their evaluation of the risks and benefits involved. Researchers are required to adhere to the guidelines and recommendations provided by the IACUC to ensure the ethical and responsible use of animals in research.  

Participants are encouraged to submit (wggreer@umich.edu) questions regarding PRIOR TO the event. During each session, attendees will be encouraged to discuss their own institutions practices and ideas.

Presenter(s) Biographies:

Standing IAA Faculty and Facilitators

Bill Greer, Assistant Vice President for Research, University of Michigan

Bill graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 1985 with a degree in Microbiology.  He currently oversees the animal care and use, biosafety, lab safety, controlled substances, and autonomous systems research compliance programs.  His previous roles included the Associate Director for Research Compliance, IACUC Vice-Chair, and Biosafety Committee Chair at The Pennsylvania State University, and the production manager and safety director at Intervet, State College, PA (Formally Tri Bio Laboratories). Bill has overseen animal care and biosafety programs for over 30 years. 

In 2005, he organized and held the very first research administrators Best Practice Meeting, which establish a venue for research oversight professionals to informally meet and discuss programmatic concerns.  He continues to facilitate at least five annual Best Practice meetings covering both biosafety and animal care and use programs.  In 2010, he chaired the founding committee for the non-profit education based IACUC Administrators Association (IAA), and continues to serve as the organization’s president and chair of the board of directors.  Since 2007, Bill has served as ad hoc consultant to AAALAC Council where he performs institutional program reviews, assessments, and status determinations.  He served as a member of the Council of Certified Professional IACUC Administrators (CCPIA).  Bill continues to serve as an educator for the IBC and IACUC Administrative communities and has lectures at multiple venues including PRIM&R, AALAS, BTAA, and C3, as well as facilitates IBC and IACUC Best Practice Meetings.

Ron E. Banks, DVM:  received his veterinary degree from Auburn University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, and retired a Colonel from the United States Army Veterinary Corps.  After postings as the Director, Center for Comparative Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado; and Director, Office of Animal Welfare Assurance at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; and the Director, Division of Comparative Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; he is currently retired.  Along his professional journey he has contributed as Council Member on AAALAC’s Council on Accreditation; Chairman of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee; Board Member for the IACUC Administrator’s Association; and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice.  Dr. Banks is board certified with the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine; the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine; and he is a Charter Diplomate of the American College of Animal Welfare.

The Webinar start time is Eastern Time Zone.