The members of the UAA Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) are appointed by the Chancellor through the Institutional Official, the Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies.  The UAA committee has scientists representing each of the units using animals in research or teaching.

Dr. Eric Murphy, Chair
Assoc. Professor, Psychology Department
907-786-1626 or afesm@uaa.alaska.edu

Dr. Jason Burkhead
Asst. Professor, Biological Sciences
907-786-4765 or afjlb7@uaa.alaska.edu

Dr. Gwen Lupfer-Johnson
Asst. Professor, Psychology
907-786-1722 or afgjl@uaa.alaska.edu

Dr. Raymond Anthony
Assoc. Professor, Philosophy
907-786-4459 or ranthon1@uaa.alaska.edu

Dr. Jackie Frederickson, DVM
Attending Veterinarian
pandj@alaska.net

Katch Bacheller, Community Member
Director, Alaska Museum of Natural History
907-274-2400  or katch22@alaskamuseum.org

Dr. Cindy Knall
Asst. Professor, WWAMI, Biological Sciences
907-786-1376 or afcmk@uaa.alaska.edu

Jermey Becker, ex officio
Vivarium Manager
907-786-4441 or anjgb1@uaa.alaska.edu

Mike Halko, ex officio
Director, Risk Management
907-786-1386 or anmgh1@uaa.alaska.edu

IACUC Activities
Protocol Review and Tracking

The IACUC reviews all research, teaching and diagnostic protocols that involve the use of live vertebrates (fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, or mammals) irrespective of source of funding (departmental, public, or private) or purpose (biomedical, biological, agricultural, wildlife, testing, education, diagnostics, etc.). In other words, if your work involves live vertebrates, you must submit a UAA Assurance of Animal Care form.

Protocol review includes but is not limited to:

• Assure personnel are adequately trained and qualified to conduct research using animals.
• Assure adequate handling and care for animals.
• Assure consideration for alternatives to potentially painful and stressful procedures and determine the research to be non-duplicative.
• Assure appropriate use of sedatives, analgesics, and anesthetics.
• Assure that proper surgical preparation and techniques are used.
• Assure that appropriate euthanasia techniques are used.

Once a protocol is reviewed and approved, it must be kept current with respect to any changes, modifications, or new techniques as they evolve. The form must be renewed annually for a maximum of two renewals (3 year time span). If the project is continuing after two renewals, you are required to submit a new protocol.

All IACUC forms are available in IRBNet for new protocols, updates and yearly renewals.  If you are new to the IRBNet submission procedures, please contact Dr. Eric Murphy at afesm@uaa.alaska.edu.

Facility Inspection

Inspect and report on all UAA animal facilities at least once every 6 months to ensure that research animals held at UAA are maintained under the best possible conditions and that we are in full compliance with regulations and guidelines.

The Office of Research Integrity has a free online course primarily for IACUC members entitled " An IACUC Member's Guide to Animal Facility Inspections." The course addresses the regulatory requirements for animal facilities, including housing, surgery, cleaning and storage areas. 

Review of the Animal Care Program

Evaluate the overall Animal Care Program for the University at least once every six months. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Assure that lines of authority are clearly established.
• Assure that adequate veterinary care is being provided.
• Assure that effective training programs are maintained.
• Assure that there is an occupational health and safety program for personnel working with animals.