Compliance
The mission of the Compliance Department is to ensure that research conducted at Van Andel Institute (VAI) is in compliance with federal, state and local regulations and Institute policies. The Compliance Department has responsibility for the Institutional Review Board, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and Institutional Biosafety Committee, as well as the areas of conflict of interest and commitment, environment, health and safety, export controls, and research integrity.
Questions can be directed to Compliance Supervisor Angie Jason 616.234.5584 or [email protected].
Van Andel Research Institute Human Research Protection Program.
Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) fosters a research environment that promotes respect for the rights and welfare of individuals recruited to participate in research conducted by or under the auspices of the Institute. The review and conduct of VARI’s research is guided by the principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice set forth in the Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research (Belmont Report). The actions of VARI adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and guidelines, and VARI policies and procedures. As a result, VARI has established a Human Research Protection Program (HRPP). The VARI HRPP, in partnership with its research community and research participants, is responsible for ensuring ethical and equitable treatment and as well as ensuring that the rights and welfare of human subjects in research are protected.
Questions or Concerns
If you have a research related question or concern that we may be able to help resolve, please contact our office at 616.234.5584. You can also email [email protected] with your question or concern.
Policies and procedures
The policies and procedures document consists of 19 comprehensive sections that provide current guidelines for upholding VARI’s standards. The goal of this document is to provide guidance and to articulate the requirements of the HRPP in the conduct of human subjects research.
Conflict of Interest Policies
Van Andel Institute (VAI) is committed to fostering and maintaining the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in all Institute activities. A conflict of interest occurs when there is a divergence between an individual’s private interests and his or her professional obligations to VAI, such that an independent observer might reasonably question whether the individual’s professional actions or decisions are determined by considerations of personal gain, financial or otherwise. Conflicts of commitment occur when an employee’s engagement in outside activities compromises his or her commitment to VAI. Conflicts of commitment often involve issues of time allocation.
In August of 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final revised rule that amends the Public Health Service (PHS) regulations on Responsibility of Applicants for Promoting Objectivity in Research for which PHS Funding is Sought (42 C.F.R. Part 50, Subpart F) and Responsible Prospective Contractors (45 C.F.R. Part 94). Changes resulting from this revised ruling have been incorporated into Institute’s policies regarding conflicts of interest:
In accordance with the Institute’s Financial Conflict of Interest Policy, Conflict of Commitments Policy and Institutional Conflict of Interest Policy, all VAI employees will report their external commitments and financial interests in a timely manner, and real and apparent financial conflicts of interest of research personnel will be identified and responsibly managed as described within these policies.