Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

IACUC is a federally mandated committee, qualified through the experience and expertise of its members, that oversees its institution's animal program, facilities, and procedures. It provides a framework for compliance with federal policies, guidelines and principles related to the use of animals in research, teaching and testing.

USDA and PHS require institutions using animals to appoint an IACUC and charge it with specific responsibilities.

To ensure compliance with all federal, state and UT regulations, policies and standards in place to protect animal welfare, IACUC members review all requests for approval to use vertebrate animals. It also conducts inspections of all areas where animals are housed and used, reviews the institutional program for animal use, and reports its findings.

» View the IACUC Activity Report

The UT policies for animal care and use encompass regulations of the Animal Welfare Act as amended (Public Law 99-198 - The Improved Standard for Laboratory Animals Act), Guidelines and Principles of the United States Public Health Service Policy and The Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching. The UT IACUC is accredited by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC).

Liaison Support

A representative or committee member of the IACUC is available to work directly with investigators upon request. This can be a valuable resource for novice researchers as well as the more experienced investigators on campus. Check the IACUC committee listing for a representative in your department or administrative section (requires a UTK NetID).

Contact Information

IACUC Chair
Dr. Robert L. Donnell
Department of Pathobiology
Phone: (865) 974-8236
Email: rdonnell@utk.edu

IACUC Coordinator
Elizabeth M. Bailey, MS LAT CPIA
Phone: (865) 974-3631
Cell: (865) 566-6521
Fax: (865) 946-2574
Email: ebailey@utk.edu