Division of Research: Research Integrity

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SPRING 2025

Novelution is a research management submission system that was first implemented at FAU in 2020 by the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), followed by the Research Integrity Office with the Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOIC) module, and most recently, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) module. Designed to streamline the submission process, Novelution aims to unite various research administrative functional areas at FAU, enabling more expeditious reviews.

The IACUC Novelution module will transform the IACUC submission process, transitioning it from a paper-based system to a fully electronic one. With this transition comes a host of valuable features designed to make submissions and approvals more seamless and efficient.

Key features include:

In-line Modification Comments: Instead of a list of modifications, IACUC Novelution allows administrators and reviewers to place comments (indicated by a red paper icon) directly on the question or section requiring attention. This will assist researchers in addressing concerns specific to the review.

Protocol Copying and Modifications: Researchers can easily copy entire protocols or specific sections. This feature will allow researchers to modify protocols with similar details.

One-Click 3-Year Renewals: Renewal submissions are simplified with the click of a button, creating a new version of the previously approved protocol. The new version will be assigned an updated protocol number as well as allow the researcher to modify the document with protocol and procedural updates prior to submission to renew.

Comparison View: Text fields with tracked changes will offer the researcher a clear, “at-a-glance” view of differences between protocol revisions. This is expected to streamline the review process resulting in a smoother submission, review and approval workflow.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Florida Atlantic University has achieved the pinnacle of research excellence. In 2025, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education designated Florida Atlantic as R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production – the most prestigious research accolade in the country.

The NIH has issued agency-specific information regarding its implementation of the U.S. Government Policy for Oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (DURC/PEPP Policy). The policy, which goes into effect May 6, 2025, is a unified federal oversight framework for conducting and managing certain types of federally funded life sciences research on biological agents and toxins.

The DURC/PEPP Policy requirements apply to all NIH-funded research, including grants and cooperative agreements, Research and Development (R&D) contracts, NIH intramural research projects, and other funding agreements. Researchers should be familiar with the policy as they will need to assess if their project involves anything covered under DURC and inform their funding agency as appropriate. For more details, see the full Guide Notice.

Research Studies Using FAU’s MRI

The FAU MRI Imaging Facility is now open and ready for use by FAU researchers. If your research involves the use of the FAU MRI, there may be a few additional steps needed before approval is issued.

In collaboration with the MRI Imaging Facility Director, Dr. Andrew Newberg, the HRPP staff has developed tools and guidance materials such as consent language to assist you in taking advantage of this resource.

Step 1: MRI Safety Committee reviews application, MRI protocol, inclusion/ exclusion checklist. MRI Safety Committee will provide provisional approval.

Step 2: Submit for review to IRB through Novelution. Under "Protocol Documents" include

MRI protocol
inclusion/ exclusion criteria
MRI Safety Committee provisional approval
all IRB required materials

Include Wendy Ash Graves as research team member and assign "Regulatory" for role.

Step 3: Upon approval from IRB, the IRB team will notify the MRI Safety Committee. The MRI Safety Committee will issue final approval and you may begin the study.

For more information about FAU’s MRI visit here.

Dr. Cortni Romaine, Senior Associate Director for Research Integrity, earned her PhD in Translational Health Science from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in January 2025. Dr. Romaine’s dissertation, Engagement in Responsible Conduct of Research: A Descriptive Case Study of the Factors of Organizational Culture and Implementation Drivers that Influence Research Integrity Practice, explored the relationship between organizational culture and Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).

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If you have any questions, please contact us at researchintegrity@fau.edu or Elisa Gaucher.