Rensselaer's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) ensures that Rensselaer researchers provide humane care and follow ethical guidelines for all research involving animals.

The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare strictly regulates the care and use of animals in research. The federal mandate reads: "Each institution which falls under authority of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) protects all mammals beyond but not including rodents and/or receives PHS support for research and teaching involving laboratory animals must operate a program with clear lines of authority and responsibility, a properly functioning Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), procedures for self-monitoring, adequate veterinary care, a program of occupational health, sound animal husbandry practices and appropriate maintenance of facilities for housing animals." 

• The IACUC reports to the Vice President for Research, who is the Rensselaer Institutional Official (IO) of record.
• Researchers must follow the guidelines described in the “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals” (8th edition).
• Rensselaer retains the services of a licensed veterinarian who is certified in the field of laboratory animal medicine.
• Rensselaer provides occupational health guidance and care for all researchers and staff.

Rick Relyea, Ph.D., Chair
Robert Hull, Ph.D., Institutional Official (IO)
Brandt Burgess, Ph.D., Compliance Director