Research

IACUC Protocol

Smithsonian animal care polices

There are two main types of permits researchers working with vertebrates at STRI must obtain: a STRI Animal Care and Use permit (IACUC) and a scientific permit from the Panamanian government (e.g., ANAM for terrestrial work, ARAP for marine work). IACUC protocols are reviewed monthly and sent to the committee for review on the first of each month.

We require approximately one month to complete an IACUC review. STRI processing of scientific permits from the Panamanian government requires three months. Because STRI will not process scientific permits until IACUC protocols are approved, we ask that you please submit your IACUC protocol at least four months in advance of the start date of your research.

All STRI research staff, associates, visiting scientists, students and fellows whose research and collecting activities involve live vertebrates must submit a general animal care and use protocol to STRI’s IACUC review committee, in compliance with Smithsonian Directive 605. For research involving tagging or collaring vertebrate animals (e.g., radio-tagging, harnessing or collaring), an additional marking protocol must be submitted and approved.

STRI IACUC protocols are valid for three years. If you have an approved STRI IACUC protocol but need to make changes, including changes in personnel, study species, methodology, or research site, please submit an IACUC amendment form. Following each project, we request a brief end of project report. New IACUC protocols will not be processed until end reports have been received.

To submit IACUC forms and to ask questions, please contact: STRIIACUC@si.edu

Current members of STRI’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) include staff scientist Rachel Page, chair; Oris Acevedo, STRI scientific coordinator; Raineldo Urriola, STRI scientific coordinator; Patrick Jansen, staff scientist and head of the CTFS-SIGEO mammal survey project; Diorene Smith, representative from the local community and veterinarian at Summit Nature Park; Jose Ramon Perurena, STRI safety officer; and Nora Lapenta, veterinary surgeon.