Brief Agenda and Discussion Points

Overview
Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) have historically been seen as a "best practice" for establishing clear agreements between collaborating institutions. However, recent guidance and evolving expectations have elevated MOUs from a recommendation to a critical compliance requirement. Join us for an in-depth discussion on the "why," "when," and "how" of MOUs and their integral role in maintaining institutional compliance with NIH policy and grants administration.

Whether you're an IACUC administrator, compliance officer, or researcher, this webinar will provide the tools and insights you need to navigate this shift and ensure your program is meeting NIH expectations.

What You’ll Learn

1. OLAW Guidance and FAQs: Understanding the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare’s expectations regarding MOUs, with references to key FAQs (e.g., FAQ D8).

2. NIH Grants Policy: How the policy highlights the need for formal agreements in multi-site collaborations (see NIH GPS chapter 4.1.1).

3. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2011. Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eighth Edition. Washington, DC (pg. 15): Indicates MOUs are a “should”. In cases of such collaboration involving animal use (beyond animal transport), the participating institutions should have a formal written understanding (e.g., a contract, memorandum of understanding, or agreement).

4. Essential Elements of MOUs: What to include in MOUs to ensure they satisfy compliance requirements while fostering collaboration.

5. Practical Case Studies: Real-world scenarios illustrating challenges and best practices for developing and maintaining effective MOUs.

6. Enforcement and Accountability: How to avoid pitfalls that could lead to grant delays, findings in audits, or worse noncompliance.

Why Attend?

This webinar is your chance to:

1. Gain clarity on the latest NIH expectations and policy updates.
2. Learn how to craft MOUs that protect both institutions and researchers.
3. Engage with experts and peers to discuss common challenges and solutions.
4. Enhance your knowledge of compliance standards to better support your institution's research efforts.

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:

Guest Speaker

Lauren Danridge: Lauren joined Princeton University from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI where she served as the Assistant Director, Quality Assurance, and the Associate Director (6 years), ACUO. Prior to that, Lauren was the IACUC Director at Rutgers University (formerly UMDNJ), Newark, NJ (6 years).

Lauren has over 20 years of experience in laboratory animal research and compliance, including hands-on animal research and IACUC Administration. Lauren also has served as a research administrator in basic science departments, responsible for managing a variety of administrative processes, including pre- and post-award grant activities, contracts, manuscripts, presentations, and protocols. As an active contributor to the national animal care and use community and higher education institutions, Lauren regularly presents on research administration best practices for IACUC, occupational health and safety, and biosafety. Lauren is also the lead author for Lab Animal’s “Protocol Review” column and administrator of the IACUC-Administrators Listserv.

Lauren obtained her BA in psychology with honors in biopsychology at William Paterson University (where she also met her husband). In addition to her Six Sigma Green Belt (GBSS) and Lean Six Sigma (LSSS) certifications from Villanova University, Lauren holds the Certified Professional in IACUC Administration (CPIA) credential from PRIM&R and the Certified Professional Biosafety Compliance Administrator (CPBCA) from the Biosafety Administrators Association.

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 oversees research compliance programs for animal care and use, biosafety, lab safety, controlled substances, and autonomous systems. Over his 30+ year career, Bill has held roles including Associate Director for Research Compliance, IACUC Vice-Chair, and Biosafety Committee Chair at Penn State, as well as production manager and safety director at Intervet (formerly Tri Bio Laboratories).

In 2005, Bill organized the first Research Administrators Best Practice Meeting, creating a platform for research oversight professionals to discuss programmatic concerns. He continues to facilitate at least five annual Best Practice Meetings focused on biosafety and animal care and use programs. In 2010, he chaired the founding committee of the IACUC Administrators Association (IAA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to education and serves as its president and board chair.

Since 2007, Bill has been an ad hoc consultant to the AAALAC Council, conducting institutional program reviews and assessments. He also served on the Council of Certified Professional IACUC Administrators (CCPIA). As an educator, Bill regularly lectures at conferences including PRIM&R, AALAS, BTAA, and C3, and facilitates IBC and IACUC Best Practice Meetings, continuing to support the IBC and IACUC administrative communities.

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.