Michael Mann, Ph.D., professor of physiology and biophysics, has been named executive chairman of UNMC’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Dr. Mann assumed the .3 FTE administrative position Jan. 1.
The Office of Academic Affairs created the new position because of the growth in UNMC’s research funding and, consequently, the complexity of UNMC’s animal care and use program. The IACUC workload also has increased with more stringent regulatory requirements and higher standards for accreditation by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International.
“The IACUC is charged with insuring that animals used in research are treated humanely,” Dr. Mann said. “At the same time, it must not hinder investigators in doing their research; if fact, it must help them. With all the investigators on the UNMC and UNO (University of Nebraska at Omaha) campuses, this is a big job. Investigators can expect some changes in the IACUC and how it interacts with them.”
Dr. Mann joined UNMC in 1973 as an assistant professor of physiology and biophysics. He has written 29 articles or research papers on brain research, including the evolution of the brain; two articles on teaching; and three articles dealing with the IACUC. Dr. Mann received his Ph.D. in neurobiology and behavior from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Last year, he received UNMC’s Outstanding Teacher Award.
As executive chairman, Dr. Mann will be responsible for the ongoing operation of the IACUC, which includes protocol review and oversight activities; development and implementation of education and training programs for IACUC members, investigators and research technicians which reflect evolving national standards of animal care and use; development of an IACUC Web site; and development of electronic IACUC submissions.
As executive chairman, Dr. Mann will report administratively to the associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, Ernest D. Prentice, Ph.D.
Dr. Prentice said he is very pleased that Dr. Mann has accepted this important position.
“Dr. Mann has a deep interest in the field of research ethics and is nationally recognized for his Web-based educational programs,” Dr. Prentice said. “He has many years of experience in academia, which will serve UNMC and its investigators well.”