Integrity and Compliance

Mission

The Office of Research Integrity is dedicated to providing exemplary service, oversight, support, and educational training in matters relating to Research Integrity in the conduct of human, animal, and basic scientific research, as partners with the academic and biomedical research community at Weill Cornell Medicine, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and its collaborating institutions and organizations.

Research integrity is defined as:

  • The use of honest and verifiable methods in proposing, performing, and evaluating research;
  • Reporting research results with particular attention to adherence to rules, regulations, and guidelines; and,
  • Following commonly accepted professional codes or norms.

Human Subjects Research

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The WCM IRB is an appropriately constituted group whose primary responsibility is to ensure that the rights and welfare of human subjects in research are protected. In doing so, the IRB must ensure all human subject research activities is conducted ethically, and in compliance with Federal regulations, the requirements of applicable New York State and local law, and institutional policies and procedures.

Data and Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC)

The Weill Cornell Medicine Data and Safety Monitoring Committee (WCM DSMC) is an independent committee within the institution that is available to the research community to act as a monitoring entity for clinical trial.

ClinicalTrials.gov

As part of the WCM Human Research Protections Program, the ClinicalTrials.gov program aims to provide researchers with assistance in fulfilling the scientific, regulatory, and ethical responsibilities associated with publicly registering and posting trial results on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Human Research Routine Review & Education Program

The Human Research Routine Review & Education Program is a joint collaboration between Human Research Protections and the Joint Clinical Trials Office Quality Assurance Unit (JCTO QAU). Through routine review and educational initiatives, the program intends to provide reasonable assurance of the integrity of all human research, improve human research protections, and identify quality improvement areas.

Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCRO)

All WCMC investigators who intend to perform research involving human embryonic stem cells must submit notification to the Tri-Institutional ESCRO Committee. This requirement applies to all HESC research, regardless of the funding sources. 

Radiation Safety Committee (RSC)

The Weill Cornell Medicine Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) authorizes and oversees the possession, use, and disposal of all radioactive material used for research, clinical, instructional, and service purposes within Weill Cornell Medicine - NewYork Presbyterian Hospital Center.

Institutional Biosafety Committee

The Weill Cornell Medicine Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is a faculty-led committee of experts in biosafety-related fields established under the NIH Guidelines. The IBC ensures that all research conducted at Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) complies with applicable Federal, State and local health, safety standards and Institutional policies.

Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar IRB

The Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) Institutional Review Board (IRB) will be responsible for reviewing all IRB protocols involving recruitment of subjects and study interventions occurring at WCM-Q.

HIPAA in Research

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) has special requirements that WCM researchers must follow when viewing or handling the protected health information ("PHI") of patients or other individuals for research purposes. These research provisions, as dictated by the HIPAA Privacy Rule and HIPAA Security Rule, are explained in the guide below.

General Research Compliance

Conflicts of Interest

Conflict of Interest Office ("COI") provides assistance in understanding the meaning of the terms "Conflict of Interest" and "Conflict of Commitment." It also provides information concerning University and federal policies regarding conflicts of interest.

Ethical Conduct of Research

The Research Integrity Officer (“RIO”) oversees research integrity, compliance, misconduct, conflict management, and all elements of conducting research in an ethical and appropriate manner as per federal, state and institutional regulations. This page provides an overview of research misconduct, and the ethical and responsible conduct of research courses.

Export Controls

Weill Cornell Medicine (WCM) is fully committed to compliance with all United States export control laws and regulations.  Export controls and trade sanctions regulate and restrict the release of critical technologies, software, equipment, chemical, biological materials and other materials, and services to foreign nationals and foreign countries for reasons of foreign policy and national security. All members of the WCM community—including faculty, students, staff, volunteers, visitors, contractors, and consultants—must comply with all export control laws and regulations.

Research Data Management, Retention, and Sharing

Guidance and resources for managing research data and adhering to policies.

Thomas H. Blair, JD

Thomas H. Blair, JD

Chief Research Compliance Officer
Research Integrity Officer

Complaint or Concern about Research Integrity?

We want to hear from you.
No retaliation.
Confidentiality maintained.
Calls will not be traced.
Calls can be anonymous.

EthicsPoint hotline: (866) 293-3077
EthicsPoint website: www.hotline.cornell.edu