INVESTIGATOR POLICY

Financial Conflict of Interest

Investigator Policy

Overview

Policy

This policy implements federal disclosure regulations and requirements pertaining to the objectivity in research issued by the Public Health Service (PHS) in 42 CFR Part 50 and 45 CFR Part 94. The goal of this policy is to assure the objectivity with which research projects are designed, conducted, and reported. The California Medical Innovations Institute, Inc. (the Institute), has the responsibility to manage, reduce, or eliminate financial conflicts of interest that occur between an Investigator's personal financial interests and their Institutional Responsibilities. This policy sets forth regulations, requirements, and procedures that each Investigator who is planning to participate in, or is actively participating in PHS-funded research, must follow.

Applicability

This policy applies to research projects for which the Institute submits an application to, or receives research funding from the PHS. For purposes of financial disclosure only, this policy covers the Investigator’s spouse and dependent children and does not apply to Phase I Small Business Innovation

Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) applications. Subrecipients who are named in PHS-funded research must also be in compliance with the PHS regulation prior to the execution of the Institute’s Consortium Agreement and the expenditure of funds.

Definitions

Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI): A Significant Financial Interest (SFI) that could directly and significantly affect the design, conduct, or reporting of the PHS-funded research.


Financial Interest: Anything of monetary value, whether or not the value is readily ascertainable.


Institutional Responsibilities: An Investigator’s professional responsibilities on behalf of the Institute, include, but are not limited to, activities such as; research, research consultation, teaching, Institutional committee memberships, and service on panels such as Institutional Review Boards (IRB), Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) Data and Safety Monitoring Boards, Scientific Advisory Boards (SAB).


Investigator: The Principal Investigator and any other person, regardless of title or position (Faculty, Staff Scientists, Postdoc, etc.), who are eligible to submit grant applications on behalf of the Institute or who will be responsible for the design, conduct, or reporting of research or educational activities funded or proposed for funding by the PHS.


Management Plan: A plan that is created by the Institute that will specify the actions that have been taken and/or will be taken to manage an identified FCOI.

Significant Financial Interest (SFI): A financial interest consisting of one or more of the following interests of the Investigator and those of the Investigator’s spouse and dependent children that reasonably appears to be

related to the Investigator’s Institutional Responsibilities:

  • Publicly Traded Entity: A Significant Financial Interest exists if the value of any remuneration received from the entity in the twelve months preceding the disclosure and the value of any equity interest in the entity as of the date of disclosure, when aggregated, exceeds $5,000. For purposes of this definition, remuneration includes salary and any payment for services not otherwise identified as salary (e.g., consulting fees, honoraria, paid authorship); equity interest includes any stock, stock option, or other ownership interest, as determined through reference to public prices or other reasonable measures of fair market value;


  • Non-Publicly Traded Entity: A Significant Financial Interest exists if the value of any remuneration received from the entity in the twelve months preceding the disclosure, when aggregated, exceeds $5,000, or when the Investigator (or the Investigator’s spouse or dependent children) holds any equity interest (e.g., stock, stock option, or other ownership interest); or


  • Reimbursed or Sponsored Travel: Investigators must also disclose the occurrence of any reimbursed or sponsored travel (i.e., that which is paid on behalf of the Investigator and not reimbursed to the Investigator so that the exact monetary value may not be readily available), in the twelve months preceding the disclosure, that reasonably appears to be related to their Institutional Responsibilities; provided, however, that this disclosure requirement does not apply to travel that is reimbursed or sponsored by a Federal, state, or local government agency, an institution of higher education as defined at 20 U.S.C. 1001(a), an academic teaching hospital, a medical center, or a research institute that is affiliated with an institution of higher education.


  • Intellectual Property Rights and Interests: Upon receipt of income, if aggregated value of income is received exceeds $5,000 during the twelve months preceding the disclosure related to such rights and interests (patents, copyrights, etc.) that are paid directly to the Investigator; not Intellectual Property owned by the Institute.


  • Significant Financial Interest Exclusions: The term Significant Financial Interest does not include the following types of financial interests: salary, royalties, or other remuneration paid by the Institute to the Investigator if the Investigator is currently employed or otherwise appointed by the Institute, including intellectual property rights assigned to the Institute and agreements to share in royalties related to such rights; income from investment vehicles, such as mutual funds and retirement accounts, as long as the Investigator does not directly control the investment decisions made in these vehicles; income from seminars, lectures, or teaching engagements sponsored by a Federal, state, or local government agency, an institution of higher education as defined at 20 U.S.C. 1001(a), an academic teaching hospital, a medical center, or a research institute that is affiliated with an institution of higher education; or income from service on advisory committees or review panels for a Federal, state, or local government agency, an institution of higher education as defined at 20 U.S.C. 1001(a), an academic teaching hospital, a medical center, or a research institute that is affiliated with an institution of higher education.

Subrecipients: A relationship when federal funds flow down from or through an awardee institution to another individual or entity where the subrecipient will be conducting a substantive portion of the PHS-funded research project and who will be accountable to the awardee institution for programmatic outcomes and compliance matters. This may also include; subgrantees, consortium participants, collaborators, or consultants.

Investigator Responsibilities

An Investigator who is planning to participate in or is actively participating in PHS-funded research is responsible for:

1. Complying with the Institute’s FCOI policy and procedures;

2. Disclosing their known Significant Financial Interests (SFI) and those of their spouse and dependent children that reasonably appear to be related to the Investigator’s Institutional Responsibilities during these intervals:

  • On an annual basis and
  • At the time of application for PHS-funded research using the Institute’s Application Routing Form; and
  • Within 30 days of discovering or acquiring a new Significant Financial Interest that was not previously disclosed in the original disclosure statement.
  • The disclosure process will be administered through the Office of Grants & Contracts.

3. Disclosing any known SFIs in a timely manner, and if a SFI is determined to represent a FCOI, complying

with the Institute’s Management Plan in order to manage the identified or potential FCOI.


4. Disclosing all sponsored travel paid for/reimbursed by a for-profit, commercial, professional society, or non-profit entity that is not associated with an institution of higher education, in the twelve months preceding the disclosure, that reasonably appears to be related to the Investigator's Institutional Responsibilities. This can be accomplished during the annual FCOI disclosure process in October. The disclosure information required will include: the purpose of the trip, the identity of the sponsor/organizer, the destination, and the duration.

5. Completing Institute provided FCOI Training and receiving certification of completion prior to engaging in PHS-funded research at least every 4 (four) years and as soon as possible, as directed by the Institute, when any of the following circumstances apply:

  • If the Institute revises its FCOI policy and procedures in any manner that affects the requirements of Investigators;
  • If an Investigator is new to the Institute; or
  • If the Institute finds that an Investigator is not in compliance with the Institute’s FCOI policy, procedures, or Management Plan.

The FCOI regulation does not require Investigators to disclose the following financial interests;


  • Salary, royalties, or other remuneration paid by the Institute to the Investigator if the Investigator is currently employed or otherwise appointed by the Institute, including intellectual property rights assigned to the Institute and agreements to share in royalties related to such rights;
  • Intellectual Property Rights assigned to the Institute and agreements to share in royalties related to such rights;
  • Income from investment vehicles, such as mutual funds and retirement accounts, as long as the Investigator does not directly control the investment decisions made in these vehicles;
  • Income from seminars, lectures, teaching engagements, or service on an advisory committees or review panels sponsored by or for a Federal, state, or local government agency, an institution of higher education as defined at 20 U.S.C. 1001(a); an academic teaching hospital, a medical center, or a research institute that is affiliated with an institution of higher education.

Institute Responsibilities

Each of the Institute’s Responsibilities mentioned below is explained in greater detail within the Institute’s Financial Conflict of Interest Policy. Some of the Institute’s administration responsibilities include:

  • Developing and maintaining an up-to-date FCOI policy;
  • Informing each Investigator of the Institute's FCOI policy and of the Investigator's responsibilities;
  • Administering the disclosure process for Investigators’ SFIs and those of their spouse and dependent children;
  • Administering and documenting PHS FCOI Training as required for each eligible Investigator;
  • Ensuring subrecipients who are named in PHS-funded research are in compliance with the PHS regulation prior to the execution of the Institute’s Consortium Agreement and the expenditure of funds;
  • Reviewing disclosure statements to determine whether an Investigator’s SFI is a potential or actual FCOI, developing a Management Plan if necessary, and monitoring Investigator compliance when a Management Plan has been implemented;
  • Making the Institute’s FCOI policy publicly accessible through the Institute’s Web site;
  • Making a FCOI publicly accessible through the Institute’s Web site only if the FCOI is currently part of an ongoing Management Plan;
  • Submitting the required report(s) through the eRA Commons for any identified and Institute managed FCOI.

Non-Compliance

If an Investigator fails to comply with the Institute’s FCOI policy, procedures, or Management Plan, the Institute will complete within 120 days of determining noncompliance;


  • A retrospective review of the Investigator’s activities and the PHS-funded research project,
  • Document the Institute’s methodology of reviewing the SFI(s), and
  • Document the Institute’s determination as to whether any PHS-funded research, or portion thereof, conducted prior to the identification and management of the FCOI was biased in the design, conduct, or reporting of such research.

If bias is found, the Institute will submit a mitigation report to the PHS, that will address the impact of the bias on the PHS-funded research project and the actions the Institute has taken to mitigate the bias.

If the failure of an Investigator to comply with the Institute’s FCOI policy, procedures, or Management Plan appears to have biased the design, conduct or reporting of the PHS-funded research, the Institute will promptly notify the PHS of the corrective action taken or to be taken.

Enforcement and Sanctions

All Investigators who are subject to the Institute’s FCOI policy and procedures are expected to comply with it fully and promptly. Violation of the Institute’s FCOI policy and procedures may result in disciplinary actions as deemed appropriate by the Institute.

Dr. Ghassan Kassab

Founder/Acculab Lifesciences

Dr. Kassab previously served as the Thomas J. Linnemeier Guidant Foundation Chair and Professor in Biomedical Engineering, Professor in Surgery, Cellular and Integrative Physiology at Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis (2016-2014). Prior to this appointment, he served as Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Medicine (Cardiology) at University of California, Irvine (2001-2006). He is the founder of California Medical Innovations Institute (2014-present) and serves as current Chairman of the Board and Institute Professor. He is the recipient of the NIH Young Investigator Award, the AHA Established Investigator Award, Farriborz Maseeh Best Research Award, Abraham M. Max Distinguished Professor Award, Eminent Engineer Award of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Indiana’s President Circle Award, and Glenn Irwin, MD Chancellor Best Research Scholar Award. He is also a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, the American Physiological Society Cardiovascular Section and the American Venous Forum. He has served as a regular reviewer on two NIH study sections (Systems Biology; and Hypertension and Microcirculation) and as ad hoc on multiple other study sections; the Editorial Board of American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology, Journal of Biomechanics, and has previously served as an Associate Editor of Mechanics and Chemistry of Biosystems. Dr. Kassab has published over 700 proceedings, abstracts and full-length publications and his current scientific interests encompass the biomechanics of cardiovascular and gastroenterology systems in health and disease. He also has over 300 issued or pending patents in the areas of diagnosis and treatment of heart failure (including electrical, valvular and coronary artery disease), aneurysm, and obesity. To date, Dr. Kassab’s intellectual properties have resulted in a sale of one technology, four exclusive licenses to major medical device industry and multiple ongoing start-ups.


Emily King

Animal Care Technician

Emily received her Bachelor of Science degree from UC Davis specializing in livestock and dairy. Emily started her career in animal care working with a livestock/companion animal vet focusing on horse and other livestock. She transitioned into lab animal science and has since spent 3 years working with rodents, 1 year specializing on cancer models, and 2 years working with NHP at the Oregon National Primate Center as a Veterinary Research Technician. She is passionate about animals and is actively working on her veterinary technician certification. She currently holds her RLAT certification through AALAS.

Spencer Ringwood

Research Animal Technician

Spencer received his degree in Biology from Brigham Young University (BYU). He began his career working in an animal hospital and has since transitioned to the Lab Animal Care field. He has 3 years’ experience working with animals and is experienced in anesthesiology, venipuncture, and medication administration with both large and small mammals. He has received both hands on training and online training via workshops, AALAS learning library, and webinars.

Vincent Serrano

Animal Husbandry Technician

Vincent received his degree in Biology with an emphasis in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of California Merced. He was the President of the Pre-Veterinary Club and organized the administration of vaccines for non-profit organizations helping to prevent the spread of parvovirus in the Central Valley. Vincent recently transitioned into Lab Animal Care. He has 1 year of experience with Acculab. He’s received hands on training as well as online training via workshops, AALAS learning library and various webinars.

Sara Borough

Animal Husbandry Technician

Sara graduated with a BS in marine biology with a minor in chemistry from UCSD. She is an aspiring Veterinarian who worked as a room nurse in a veterinary hospital setting. Her experience includes taking vitals, helping administer treatments, giving fluids and performing injections. She recently transitioned into the lab animal field and has worked with Acculab for 6 months. She’s received hands on experience as well as online training via workshops, AALAS learning library, and various webinars.

Maurisa Smith

Animal Husbandry Technician

Maurisa received her BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology from CalState, San Marcos. She has 4+ years of animal care experience in non-research settings and has recently transitioned into the lab animal field. Maurisa has worked with Acculab for 1 year and has received both hands on training, as well as online training via workshops, AALAS learning library, and various webinars.

Emma Guizar

Animal Husbandry Technician

Emma is a pre-nursing student with an interest in animal care. She has less than 1 year experience with Acculab, but has received full training via AALAS learning library, hands on experience, webinars, and online training.

Emmanuel Padilla

Administrative Assistant/Customer Service

Emmanuel is a San Diego native with 2 years of experience working for Acculab as an Administrative Assistant and Customer Service Representative. He is currently pursuing a degree in business.

Reyna Jimenez

Operating Room Supervisor

Reyna graduated with highest honors from UC Davis with a degree in Animal Biology. During her undergraduate education she published research in the Journal of Dairy Science assessing the efficacy of a common topical analgesic. Reyna then went on to work at a companion animal hospital for 2 years prior to transitioning to research. Since starting at Acculab, Reyna has transitioned from a Research Animal Technician Role to the position of OR supervisor, she has assisted many clients with their studies both in and outside the OR, she has also been a valuable asset in facilitating several GLP studies.

[email protected]

Blanca Rios

Controller/Business Manager

With over 10 years of experience in private and public accounting, Blanca is responsible for oversight of our accounting department.

Blanca holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from San Diego State University (SDSU). She holds an accounting certificate from SDSU and is working on getting her CPA license. While working at a CPA firm Blanca gained experience in commercial, residential, government and non for profit accounting.

Kristen Evans

Vivarium Supervisor

Kristen received her BS in Marine Biology from Hawaii Pacific University. She recently moved to the San Diego area in pursuit of animal-based research. She has worked with Acculab for 1.5 years with half of that time operating as Lead technician for the animal care team. She has recently accepted a role as the Vivarium Supervisor and looks forward to continuing her education through AALAS certifications, online coursework, and webinars.

Jason Woolridge

Vivarium Operations Manager

Jason received his BS in Animal Physiology and Behavior from Arizona State University. During his undergrad, he worked under the supervision of Dr. Mcgraw performing live animal capture and husbandry for European House Finches in the animal vivarium at ASU. Jason started his career at the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation, an AZA accredited facility in Phoenix Arizona in the education department. He simultaneously offered volunteer services as a quarantine manager for the Phoenix Herpetological Society as well as a Ponds and Carnivore Keeper for the Wildlife World Zoo. Jason has 8+years’ experience in animal care, with 4+ years working as an Animal Technician, Vivarium Supervisor, and Vivarium Manager. He is Radiation Safety Officer certified, and RALAT certified with plans to continue through the entire AALAS program.

[email protected]

858-281-1414