Atlanta VA Health Care System

Research - For Investigators

Conducting Research at the Atlanta VA

Like all institutions, the Atlanta VA Medical Center has policies and procedures regulating the conduct of research at its facility. 

The Research Office acts as a resource to investigators, study coordinators, and laboratory personnel during the design and implementation of your projects.  We encourage you to utilize these members of our team should you have any questions or need guidance.

Michael Hart, MD , Chief, Research Service

Antonio Laracuente, Director of Research Operations: antonio.laracuente03@va.gov
David Knight, Science Information Officer: david.knight2@va.gov 
Derek Key, Assistant SIO: Derek.Key@va.gov
Kallie Medbery, WOC and Credentialing Coordinator: Mary.Medbery@va.gov 
Daniel Roysden, Ph.D., VA/IRB Liaison: droysde@emory.edu
Rodney Thompson, Research Compliance Officer: rodney.thompson2@va.gov
Jennifer Whelan, Human Research Protection Program Quality Manager: jennifer.Whelan@va.gov
Jane Guidot, Clinical Studies Center Manager: jane.guidot@va.gov 

Click here to go to Conducting Human Research at VA

What do I have to do to get started in research

• Getting Started in Research (what to do to get started) 
• Brief Overview - Steps to Get a Protocol Approved  Updated January 2018
• Training Requirements  Updated January 2018 
• How to get Occupational Health Clearance New
• Credentialing to Engage in Human Subjects Research

Take me to:

• Atlanta Research and Education Foundation (AREF)
• ERRRP - Electronic Request to Review Research Proposal
• Emory Institutional Review Board (IRB)
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
• Radiation Safety
• Safety/Institutional Biosafety Committee

Find A Collaborator at the Atlanta VAMC 

• Search By Investigator
• Search By Topic

FAQs (questions that people have about things such as publications, presentations, etc.)

• IPA - To start an IPA - fill the IPA form and send to Roberta.Tops@VA.Gov 
• Inventions
• How and when do I have to disclose to VA an invention?
• Link to Invention Disclosure and Certification Forms
• Publications and Interviews
• How do I enter Publications and Presentations into VAPubTracker?
• Checklist for Publishing VA Research
• How do I appropriately cite the VA in my publication?
• What do I do if I get invited to give an interview?
• How do I get travel paid by another entity approved (donated travel)?
• How do I get VA ACES approval for Professional Conferences (including presenting VA findings)? 

Great Ideas in Grant Preparation (Useful Tools)   

Atlanta VA Research & Development

• Abstract Requirements
• Criteria for Reviewing R&D Grants
• Is My Project Research Request form?
• Process flow for determination if the project is Research or QA/QI
• R&D Protocol Guidance
• Privacy Officer and Information Security Officer Review Process

• Assessment of Clinical Impact form
• Collaborative Research Worksheet
• Financial Conflict of Interest Statement
• Investigator Data Sheet (page 18) new investigators only 
• Personal Data Sheet (New Investigator) 
• How to make a staff change to a project Click this link and complete the form and follow directions on second page
• Scopes of Practice
  Principal investigator Scope of Practice
  Staff working on Human Studies
  Staff working on laboratory and/or animal studies

Tools

• Codes and Instructions for Page 18
• Funding Source Codes
• Mesh Terms for 2002
• Collaborative Research Flowchart - VA - Appendix A This Flow is being updated
• Collaborative Research Flowchart - Appendix B This Flow is being updated

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Data Security Forms

• Data Use Agreement (DUA)  This is a web link to the latest VA DUA Templates
• Authority to Transport Data - Instructions  New
• Device Exemption Request - Used for Flashdrive and USB Devices
• Research Data Inventory Form - used for all projects  

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VA Human Research Policies and Procedures- Click Here to Access

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)  

•  VMU Standard Operating Procedures  (Intranet access only)
•  Modification Form (please contact Ms. Medberry for the proper form) 
•  Occupational Health & Safety Form and How to get Occupational Health Clearance New
•  Veterinary Consultation Form (Rich Text Format) 
•  ACORP form for all VA IACUC submission (start with this form) - Instructions
•  Appendix 1 - Breeding Appendix  - used by anyone breeding animals at the AVAMC - Form- Instructions 
•  Appendix 2 - Antibody Production - required when producing Antibodies using animals - Form- Instructions   
•  Appendix 3 - Biosafety - required when using test substances (drugs, other agents) in animals - Form- Instructions   
•  Appendix 4 - Antemorten Specimen Collection - required when blood or tissue samples are collected from animals - Form- Instructions   
•  Appendix 5 - Surgery - required when major survival surgery is being conducted on animals  - Form- Instructions 
•  Appendix 6 - Special Husbandry and Procedures - required when special husbandry or other procedures are required for animals - Form- Instructions 
•  Appendix 7 - Use of Patient Care Equipment and/or Areas for animal Studies - required when animals are being transported through patient areas of the hospital  - Form- Instructions 
•  Appendix 8 - Use of Explosive Agent(s) within the VMU or in Animals - required when explosive agents (i.e., anesthesia such as ether) are being used with animals  - Form- Instructions 
•  Appendix 9 - Departures from "MUST" and "SHOULD" standards in the Guide (2011) -Form - Instructions 
•  Reference Materials Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: Eight Edition, Copyright 2011, NAS
• ARENA/OLAW IACUC Guidebook, 2nd Edition 2002
• Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations, November 2013

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Radiation Safety 

•  Application for the Use of Radioisotopes (New Investigators Only) 
•  Radiation Safety Form for Proposals 
•  Suggested Radiation Risk(s) Language for use in Informed Consents

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Safety/Institutional Biosafety Committee 

•  Chemical Inventory Form  (Go to ERRRP to complete)
•  Freezer Inventory Form
•  Employee Risk Assessment Form (AREF Online) 
•  Online LASIF (AREF Online) 
•  Request to Review Biosafety Project/Project Modification Form

 rDNA Information and Forms

• rDNA SOP
• rDNA Registration Form  
• Simplified NIH rDNA Classification Guidelines 
• Simplified Risk Group Classification

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VA Merit Review Forms (Link to VA Funding Page and Forms)

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