The UAA Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) was established by the Chancellor and charged with oversight of all animal use at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The primary purpose of this committee is to ensure compliance with national policies protecting the welfare of laboratory and field research animals.

These policies, regulations, and guidelines include, but are not limited to: the Animal Welfare Act, Public Health Service Policies, the Health Research Extension Act, Acceptable Field Methods of Mammalogy, Guidelines for the Use of Wild Birds in Research, Guidelines for the Use of Fishes in Field Research, Guidelines for the Use of Live Amphibians and Reptiles in Field Research, and the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching.

Responsible conduct of animal research requires knowledge of the requirements and an empathy towards the animals we use. At the core of this program is the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.The University's goal is to foster a supportive environment for high quality research, education, and service while ensuring that all use of live vertebrates is adequately justified and conducted by knowledgeable people using the most appropriate methodology. Adherence to the basic ethical principles outlined below is not only morally right, it is the only means to ensure quality results!

Helpful Links:
U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training. 

The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) has created a brochure for PIs and their compliance responsibilities entitled What Investigators Need to Know About the Use of Animals.

New link from OLAW entitled PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - Frequently Asked Questions.

Scientific and field researchers doing research with animals in a lab or in the field are required to take a short online questionnaire that will provide valuable feedback for any risks that may arise in their research.  The director of the Risk Management Support Program, Trig Trigiano, will follow up with any suggestions or assistance that may be advisable.  The UA site for the questionnaire is here.

You may also email us at afesm@uaa.alaska.edu (Dr. Eric Murphy, IACUC Chair).  Questions or concerns about animal care and use at UAA may be addressed to any member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee or contact the compliance administrator (Joanne Thordarson) at anjkt@uaa.alaska.edu.