Mandate
The Research Committee of Xavier University School of Veterinary Medicine (XUSOVM) is responsible for promoting, supporting, and advancing scholarly activities within the institution. The Committee encourages research that enhances veterinary medical education, contributes to scientific knowledge, supports evidence-based veterinary practice, promotes One Health initiatives, and benefits the local and global community.
The Committee actively seeks collaborations with local, regional, and international organizations to foster research opportunities, enhance faculty and student scholarship, and strengthen the research culture of the institution.
Composition
The Research Committee shall consist of:
Chair
The Chair shall be appointed by the Chief Academic Officer (CAO).
Faculty Members
Three to five (3-5) faculty members appointed by the Chair in consultation with the Dean of Veterinary Medicine and Chief Academic Officer.
Student Representatives
Student representatives may be appointed to encourage student participation in research activities and scholarly initiatives.
Ex Officio Members
The Dean of Veterinary Medicine, Research Chair, and Chair of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) may serve as ex officio members when appropriate.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Research Committee include, but are not limited to:
a. Promoting a culture of ethical, scholarly, and evidence-based research throughout the institution.
b. Working closely with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to ensure compliance with ethical and regulatory standards.
c. Monitoring and supporting faculty and student research activities.
d. Recommending resources required to support research activities, including software, laboratory infrastructure, equipment, technical support, statistical consultation, and scholarly dissemination.
e. Encouraging student involvement in research through mentorship, training, and participation in scholarly activities.
f. Collaborating with student research organizations and interest groups to promote research engagement.
g. Supporting training in research methodology, evidence-based veterinary medicine, scientific writing, biostatistics, and critical appraisal of scientific literature.
h. Organizing research seminars, workshops, journal clubs, and scholarly development activities.
i. Coordinating annual or periodic Research Days, Research Symposia, and Student Research Forums that showcase faculty and student scholarship.
j. Facilitating dissemination of scholarly accomplishments through newsletters, institutional communications, scientific conferences, and peer-reviewed publications.
k. Monitoring research productivity and recommending strategies to enhance scholarly output.
l. Supporting interdisciplinary, translational, One Health, and community-based research initiatives.
Research Day and Scholarly Activities
The Research Committee may organize an annual XUSOVM Research Day or Scientific Symposium.
Activities may include:
- Faculty and student poster presentations
- Oral presentations
- Research seminars
- Invited keynote lectures
- Research awards and recognition programs
Posters and presentations may be evaluated by internal and external reviewers, and awards may be granted for outstanding scholarly contributions.
Meeting Procedures
Frequency
The Committee shall meet at least once each semester.
Additional meetings may be convened by the Chair as necessary.
The Chair shall distribute an agenda prior to each meeting.
Quorum
A simple majority of voting members shall constitute a quorum.
A quorum is required for all official actions.
Members participating remotely through approved electronic platforms shall be considered present for quorum purposes.
Conflict of Interest
Committee members shall disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest.
Members with conflicts of interest shall recuse themselves from discussion, deliberation, and voting on the affected matter.
All recusals shall be documented in the meeting minutes.
Lines of Accountability
The Research Committee is accountable to:
- Dean of Veterinary Medicine
- Chief Academic Officer
- Faculty Senate
The Committee shall provide periodic reports regarding research activities, outcomes, and recommendations.
Minutes and Reports
The Committee Secretary shall:
- Record minutes of all meetings;
- Maintain Committee records;
- Distribute approved minutes electronically to members;
- Submit reports to the Dean and Chief Academic Officer as appropriate.
Revision of Bylaws
The bylaws of the Research Committee shall be reviewed annually.
Recommended revisions shall be submitted to the Faculty Senate for review and approval.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Mandate
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews research involving human participants, identifiable human data, or human biological specimens to protect participants’ rights, welfare, dignity, and privacy. Animal research and teaching activities require the appropriate animal-care and ethics review.
The IRB safeguards the rights, welfare, dignity, and privacy of research participants and ensures that all approved research adheres to recognized standards of scientific integrity and ethical conduct.
All animals utilized in research or teaching activities shall be managed and cared for in accordance with approved Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols and applicable animal welfare regulations.
Composition
Chair
The Chair of the IRB shall be appointed by the Chief Academic Officer.
Members
The Chair, in consultation with the Chief Academic Officer and Dean of Veterinary Medicine, shall appoint members representing appropriate expertise, including:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Biomedical Sciences
- Public Health
- Research Methodology
- Bioethics
- Animal Welfare
- Community Representation
Membership should provide sufficient diversity and expertise to adequately review research proposals.
Responsibilities
The IRB shall:
a. Review proposals involving human participants, identifiable human data, and human biological specimens within its remit.
b. Ensure compliance with institutional policies and applicable ethical guidelines.
c. Evaluate risks and benefits associated with proposed research.
d. Protect the welfare, rights, privacy, and confidentiality of research participants.
e. Refer animal-use components to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or the University’s designated animal ethics review process; IRB approval alone does not authorize animal use.
f. Monitor ongoing approved research when necessary.
g. Provide guidance regarding informed consent, confidentiality, and ethical conduct of research.
h. Promote education regarding research ethics and responsible conduct of research.
Submission and Review Process
Researchers must submit proposals electronically using the approved IRB submission forms.
Students must obtain the required ethics approvals or written exemption determination before recruiting participants, collecting data, or beginning animal activities. Supervisors and the relevant ethics office must confirm the appropriate review route.
Submissions should be directed to:
IRB Office
Email: xirb@xusom.com
Each proposal shall undergo review using standardized evaluation criteria.
Following review, the IRB may:
- Approve the proposal;
- Approve with modifications;
- Request revisions and resubmission;
- Defer review pending additional information; or
- Reject the proposal.
The IRB strives to provide an initial review decision within two (2) weeks of receiving a complete application.
Relationship with the Research Committee
The IRB works closely with the Research Committee to promote ethical scholarship and research excellence throughout the institution.
Because of the size and structure of the institution, limited overlap in membership between the Research Committee and IRB may occur when appropriate; however, all conflicts of interest must be disclosed and managed according to institutional policy.
Lines of Accountability
The Institutional Review Board is accountable to:
- Chief Academic Officer
- Dean of Veterinary Medicine
- Faculty Senate
The IRB shall provide periodic reports regarding its activities while maintaining confidentiality of individual protocol reviews.