Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Animal Use in Research

The University of Southern Mississippi supports the humane and responsible use of animals in scientific research. Much of our animal research is focused on studying wild, free-ranging populations of animals, with particular emphasis on the preservation of endangered and threatened species. Other research focuses on animals in a marine environment, such as the development of aquaculture stocks for the Gulf of Mexico and the study of marine mammal social behavior.  Facilities are available for laboratory research and teaching with small animals. 

A. Federal law requires that any university activity (whether research or instructional in nature) involving the use of vertebrate animals, including fish, be reviewed by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and approved by that body before the activity may proceed. 

Please complete the IACUC form and applicable appendices in Microsoft Word format and submit electronically as an email attachment to Ms. Pamela M. Thornton, IACUC Administrative Assistant, at Iacuc@usm.edu. At the same time, please submit the signed cover sheet and assurance statements as hardcopy to Ms. Thornton, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5116, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001.

Review of the application will require approximately two to six weeks, after which notification of approval or disapproval (with explanation) will be made.

B. Protocols will be approved for a period extending from the date approved until two years from the following September 30. (For example, projects approved on November 5, 2012, or on April 15, 2013, would both be valid until September 30, 2015). 

This mechanism ensures that all projects will expire on the same date, which facilitates IACUC review.

For projects extending beyond the period of approval, renewal of protocol approval must be requested (using the standard IACUC review application form). 

Approximately one month in advance of the expiration date of your protocol, you will be notified in writing.