Animal Research
Navigate the guidelines and resources you need to conduct ethical and compliant animal research at the University of Mississippi.
Understanding your responsibilities in animal research
Conducting animal research comes with unique responsibilities, from ensuring ethical care to meeting rigorous compliance standards.
This page is designed to provide you with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to navigate the process confidently. From understanding the requirements for starting a new project to starting a new project or maintaining ongoing studies, you’ll find comprehensive support to meet institutional and federal requirements.
Reporting
Animals involved in research may be subject to events that have the potential to adversely impact their health or welfare. These events must be reported promptly to the Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) for assessment.
If you have concerns about research animals used in a study, you can contact any of the following individuals:
- Dr. Harry Fyke, Attending Veterinarian (662) 915-5324 or hfyke@olemiss.edu
- Dr. Bill Gurley, IACUC Chair (662) 915-1005 or bjgurley@olemiss.edu
- Dr. John Higginbotham, Institutional Official (662) 915-7583 or jch@olemiss.edu
If you wish to report anonymously, you can report your concerns via the following methods:
- IACUC Anonymous Reporting Portal
- UM Ethics Point Anonymous Reporting Portal
- Campus mail to Dr. Fyke at B104 TCRC
- Regular mail to Dr. Fyke:
Dr. Harry Fyke, Attending Veterinarian
The University of Mississippi
B-104 TCRC
University, MS 38677
Visit How to Report Concerns for more details.
Animals involved in research may be subject to events that have the potential to adversely impact their health or welfare. These events must be reported promptly to the Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) for assessment.
Visit How to Report Concerns for details on reporting adverse events and unanticipated problems.
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
All animal research, teaching, and testing conducted at, by, or under the auspices of the University of Mississippi, whether funded or not and whether conducted by administrators, faculty, staff, or students, must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) before the activity begins. The IACUC serves to assure the humane care and use of animals for instructional, demonstration, or research purposes.
The IACUC, appointed by the Institutional Official (the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development), is responsible for institutional compliance with the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals mandated by the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, the Animal Welfare Act of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and all other applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
The University of Mississippi’s Animal Welfare Assurance (#D16-00232) is the compliance contract between the University and these federal oversight agencies. The University of Mississippi animal care and use program is accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC). Our most recent triennial accreditation was issued in November 2024.
Learn about the review process
We do our best to process submissions as efficiently as possible. The review process can be highly variable, so we can't guarantee a timeline.
How to submit for animal research
The first step before engaging in any animal-related activities is for all personnel to complete the required training and Occupational Health and Safety enrollment. Our Animal Research Handbook page has all of the training instructions and links you'll need.
Make sure to check out website for updated forms before you submit. Our office may request that you resubmit materials with updated forms, if you've submitted an outdated form.
Submissions are processed by the IACUC office on a continuous basis. Not all submissions will require review by the Full Committee at a convenced meeting, however new activities categorized in the Pain and Distress Category E will require Full Committee Review.
All required training, Occupational Health and Safety Enrollment, and any requested modifications must be completed and accepted by the IACUC office four weeks prior to the posted Full Committee meeting date or the protocol cannot be placed on the meeting agenda.
Make sure to also submit an Animal Use Protocol Application. If you need to amend a previously approved application, submit a Protocol Amendment, or if you're adding personnel, submit this Personnel Amendment.
IACUC meeting information
| IACUC Meeting Dates | Application Submission Deadline: 4 Weeks before meeting | Application Acceptance Deadline: 2 weeks before meeting |
| January 17, 2025 | December 18, 2024 | January 2, 2025 |
| February 19, 2025 | January 22, 2025 | Febuary 5, 2025 |
| March 19, 2025 | February 19, 2025 | March 5, 2025 |
| April 16, 2025 | March 19, 2025 | April 2, 2025 |
| May 21, 2025 | April 19, 2025 | May 7, 2025 |
| June 18, 2025 | May 21, 2025 | June 4, 2025 |
| July 16, 2025 | June 18, 2025 | July 2, 2025 |
| August 20, 2025 | July 20, 2025 | August 6, 2025 |
| September 17, 2025 | August 20, 2025 | September 3, 2025 |
| October 15, 2025 | September 17, 2025 | October 1, 2025 |
| November 19, 2025 | October 22, 2025 | November 5, 2025 |
| *December TBD, 2025 | *TBD, 2025 | *TBD, 2025 |
*December meetings are not regularly scheduled. December meetings are considered special meetings and are only held if a quorum of the IACUC Full Committee can be guaranteed. | ||
Contact us with IACUC questions
Harry Fyke
- University Veterinarian
Bill Gurley
- Principal Scientist in NCNPR and Affiliate Professor of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery
Mandy King
- Assistant Vice Chancellor of Research Integrity, Security, and Compliance
Brittney Casey
- Research Compliance Specialist II