Research Resources

Human Subjects (IRB)

Review and oversight of research involving human subjects or identifiable data derived from human subjects ( https://www.uh.edu/research/compliance/IRB/ )

All UH faculty, staff, or students who plan to conduct research involving the use of human subjects must have approval from the University of Houston Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to the initiation of any research project. Projects requiring approval include, but are not limited to:

  1. retrospective chart reviews
  2. analysis of archival data
  3. prospective studies utilizing data from patients routine vision examinations, existing tissue samples, in addition to other clinical and basic research involving human subjects, and
  4. research conducted at institutions (e.g., Other universities or hospitals, NASA) other than UH where UH faculty participate as investigators.

The College of Optometry also has a human subjects research committee.

NOTE: All applications, revisions, and renewals with revision must be reviewed by the Human Subjects Committee at the College of Optometry prior to their submission to the UH IRB. Renewals without revision and Final Reports should be submitted directly to the UH IRB (review of renewals without revision and final reports is no longer required at the College level). 
The College Human Subjects Committee strongly encourages all new investigators and those with limited experience in human subjects research to visit the UH Main campus Human Subjects website for general information, information on tools available for building protocols and assistance with ICON (the electronic records system). 

Animal Subjects (IACUC)

Review and oversight of research involving animal subjects;
https://www.uh.edu/research/compliance/IACUC/)

In order to use vertebrate animals in research or teaching, an animal protocol must be completed and reviewed by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). No ordering or use of animals may begin prior to receiving written approval of the IACUC. Animal Care and Use protocols are submitted via the ICON online system for the IACUC:  IACUC Submission

The main phone line for the IACUC office is (713) 743-5671, and the email address is iacuc@central.uh.edu.

Submit a protocol Submit a protocol:

  • New protocols and triennial (de novo) reviews must be submitted in ICON.
  • For additional assistance in navigating the ICON system and converting currently approved Adobe protocols to the ICON system, please contact IACUC@central.uh.edu.
  • Investigators are encouraged to consult with the IACUC Veterinarian for questions regarding protocol design, and the IACUC Coordinator for questions regarding IACUC submission processes. 

Review timeline:

Refer to the IACUC submission calendar for deadlines. Animal protocols undergo a de novo review every three years.

IACUC)  Review and oversight of research involving animal subjects (https://www.uh.edu/research/compliance/iacuc/ )

  • All UH faculty, staff, or students who plan to conduct research involving the use of animal subjects must have approval from the University of Houston Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to the initiation of any research project.