Welcome to Research Services’ Hurricane Ike Home Page
This
page is dedicated to UTMB’s research community, with the goal of providing
information and links to services that will assist with the speedy return to
your important work. Please follow the links below for details.
Research Questions
and Answers:
http://www.utmb.edu/research_qa.asp
IRB & IACUC Questions and Answers During Ike Recovery
http://www.utmb.edu/research/news/research.IRB_QA.asp Posted: Oct. 1 lbc
RESEARCH
FACULTY
Recovery Update.
Posted December 4
- Animals may be ordered from approved vendors through the normal PeopleSoft purchasing procedures. There are some restrictions based on numbers and space available. You should have received an email from the IACUC outlining the process. See Ordering Procedures for a step by step walk through of the PeopleSoft ordering system.
- Animals from non-approved vendors must go through quarantine or rederivation through a commercial provider. This is because we do not have an on campus quarantine facility at this time.
- The main ARC building has limited access due to the elevator being out of service
- Some procedures are allowed with IACUC approval.
Fisher Scientific “Lab Recovery Program” will end Dec 31st.
Posted November 20, lbc for rb
Fisher Scientific is UT’s Preferred Primary Supplier for Lab supplies. As UT’s Preferred Primary Supplier we are pleased to offer $1000’s in additional lab product savings through our “Lab Recovery Program”.
To participate in these savings you must complete the following before Dec 31st:
- Sign up for the Fisher Scientific Lab Recovery Program
- Place your orders
- Submit your redemption coupons for your FREE products
Visit any of the sites below to get signed up and start purchasing your products.
Sign-Up Locations:
Research Help Center
BSB Rm. 111A
or
Fisher Scientific Webpage at http://www.fishersci.comunder New Lab Start up
For additional assistance contact:
Steve Magrogan
(P) 832-978-8618
Steve.magrogan@thermofisher.com
or
Robbie Bourgeois
(P) 409-370-4759
rrbourge@utmb.edu
VWR International is here to aid UTMB
Posted Nov 17, lbc for Purchasing
Utilizing the University of Texas Core Lab Equipment Contract. ALL core equipment purchases will be priced at the bulk discount Core Lab Contract price even if they are logged as individual smaller orders.
All Core Lab Equipment accessories, e.g. freezer and refrigerator racks, centrifuge and rotor accessories, shaking platforms, etc. will receive an additional 3% discount below the core lab contract price on all orders received prior to Dec. 23, 2008. This promo can only be utilized by placing POs through the special request PO process (i.e. ACQ orders). You will not receive the additional 3% through the punch out process.
Core Lab Equipment includes – Tabletop Centrifuges, Microcentrifuges, High-speed and Ultra Centrifuges, Refrigerators (general and chromatography), Freezers (general, ultra-low and cryogenic), Balances and Shaking Incubators.
Manufactures: Eppendorf - North America, Barnstead International, Mettler Toledo, Thermo Scientific, Beckman Coulter, VWR.
UTMB Ike Recovery Offer from Qiagen
To assist with post-hurricane Ike laboratory recovery efforts, Qiagen is offering a buy 2 get 1 free (with free shipping) quote to UTMB researchers at UTMB.
EXCLUCED ITEMS: instruments, parts & service agreements, PAXgene, HLA reagents, and Artus products.
This program is valid until December 31, 2008. Please reference UTMBIKE21 with every order to receive this special offer. The UTMBIKE21 code must be entered in the comments field of the PO or in the promo code field on the check out page of the punch out for these prices to be effective.
Please be sure to include all products ordered on your requisition and mark the free product as a no charge item by entering zero as the price.
Example: 3 each of product XYZ
Line 1 XYZ
2 each $ 40.00
Line 2 XYZ-Promo 1 each $ 0.00
Contact person: Kendra Kohl-White
Vendor contact no.: 800-426-8157 ext. 22367
kendra.white@qiagen.com.
www.qiagen.com.
Sigma-Aldrich Discounts - Quote 437
Posted Nov 13, lbc for RB, UTMB Purchasing
Dear UTMB Faculty and Staff,
Sigma has created a program to help offset the cost associated with re-starting the research within your lab. Sigma’s program offers discounts on a wide variety of products needed to get your lab up and running again quickly.
In addition to product discounts, these high volume savings are also offered:
5% for orders >$1,000
10% savings on orders >$2,500.
You can also request a FREE Maniatis Manual (Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 3rd ed. Vols. 1, 2 and 3) with a single order valued at $1,000 or more.
This program is valid till January 31, 2009. We want to make sure you have plenty of time to get back to your research. Please reference Promo Code 437 with every order to receive the pricing listed above. The promo code "437" must be entered in the comments field of the PO or in the promo code field on the check out page of the punch out for these prices to be effective!
Contact Name: Tim Novak
Phone: 281-633-8801 or 713-545-0392
IRB Office Re-Opens in New Location
Posted: Nov. 12, jb for IRB
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) on Nov. 10 moved to a new temporary location in the Old Shrine Hospital (610 Texas Avenue), Room 3.412. The mail route remains 0158.
Unfortunately, phone service is unavailable. We will notify you once we receive service.
ALERT: the IRB no longer accepts requests via e-mail. Please send all documents via campus mail or deliver to the new location. Thank you for your patience in this transition.
NIH Announces Extensions and Supplements for Grants Affected by Ike
Posted: Nov. 7, jb for TD
As per NIH notice NOT-OD-09-015 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-015.html
UTMB investigators with single research project grants (R01, R03, R15, R21, R24, R33, R34, R36, R37, R55, R56, DP1 and DP2) can request up to a one-year funded extension which will be paid at the same funding level as the current final year of the grant and/or one-time administrative supplements of up to $50,000 in direct costs. Those applying for both will have the final year reduced by the $50,000. Please see the notice for more details and application instructions.
UTMB investigators with multi-project grants (P and U mechanisms) are also eligible to receive assistance. We will need to work with the individual Program Officials to obtain assistance for these projects.
If you have any questions regarding the assistance being offered, please contact Toni D'Agostino (todagost@utmb.edu.); Kelly Lee (klee@utmb.edu.) or Helen Cook (hcook@utmb.edu.).
Lab Reimbursements Require Ike Damage Report Form
Posted Nov 6, jb
In order to comply with State and Federal regulations regarding reimbursement for equipment, supplies, reagents, research samples etc., we are asking you to fill out the Ike Damage Report Form at
Ike Damage Report Form. Instructions are included on the form. In addition, please do not purchase any replacement items until you receive a communication outlining that process. We are working diligently to craft a replacement process that meets all State and Federal regulations and requirements. If you have questions, please call the Ike Hotline at 747-1IKE (1453) or email us at
UTMB.FEMA@utmb.edu. Thank you for your patience.
Research Update from the Provost/Dean of Medicine
Posted Nov 4, jb
I am writing to give you an update on research, and again ask for your patience as we work to restore this vital mission:
-
We are working very hard to have extended hours during the week and access to labs on weekends in our research buildings. Three factors impacting the ability to offer extended hours are the functioning of the fire safety system, the locks on the buildings, and adequate outdoor campus lighting near and around the buildings.
- I want to remind you that while we have worked to have the research labs occupied quickly and safe for our employees, these environments are still unstable. You or your laboratory staff should be checking your laboratory equipment regularly for tripped circuits, etc. Unfortunately some freezers were lost last week due to the failure of one of the power feeds in one of our buildings.
- Our animal facilities are still stressed. We are working to bring Building 21 and MRB online as soon as we can. A realistic estimate at this point is that animal orders and animal procedures will not be back to normal until the end of November or early December. ARC and FOAM staff will work diligently to beat that deadline, but for planning purposes, the late November/early December timetable is our best current estimate. Any request for an exception to work with existing or on-site animals should be made to the IACUC, and justified on scientific grounds. We expect to have all health testing results the week of November 10. We are hopeful that the colony health status has not changed, but need to know whether it has and whether restrictions will be necessary. PIs who want to visit their animals to check on them, perform a census, or mark the cages for change of status, should contact ARC at 772-4070, 24069, or 24068 to arrange a time for one person to be escorted into the animal room by ARC staff.
- All new hires will continue to require review from the Provost/CFO on a case by case basis. We will let you know when the hiring status changes.
Finally, I want to recognize both the Animal Resource Center staff and the Office of Sponsored Programs staff for their amazing work. The ARC team worked to care for animals before, during and after the storm. This included working in many areas without lights, running water, air conditioning, or elevators, and carrying water and supplies up and down numerous flights of stairs. Staff members of the OSP were also on the job after the hurricane, working from their homes or wherever they had relocated to answer email and phone queries from UTMB researchers. Within a couple of days after the storm, OSP prepared and posted on the Emergency Website a set of Frequently Asked Questions to guide researchers regarding proposal deadlines, clinical protocols, and laboratory status information. Additionally, OSP staff began remotely processing proposals, negotiating and processing contracts, establishing award accounts and ensuring that reports were submitted on time. I would also like to recognize the efforts of Research Services and the PIs in keeping the freezers chilled during and after the storm.
Sincerely,
Garland D. Anderson, M.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost
Dean, School of Medicine
Thomas N. and Gleaves T. James Distinguished Chair
Big Discounts Available through the Lab Recovery Program from Fisher Scientific
Posted Nov 3, lbc for SM
Fisher Scientific, UTMB's preferred primary supplier for lab products, continues its Lab Recovery Program. The program is meant to help lessen the cost of recovery and speed the restart of experiments on campus. Researchers will see free products and discounts up to 50% over already low prices (examples include enzymes, bioreagents, cryogenics, and tissue culture items). All UTMB labs have access to this program. Please contact
Steve.Magrogan@thermofisher.com
for details. These promotional offers focus on ALL major brands, including Promega, Hyclone, Millipore, BD, Corning, Nalge, Wheaton, Kimble, FisherBrand, Kimberly Clark and many more.
Processing of Claims for Ike Losses
Posted: Nov. 3, jb for WGN
This is what we currently know about the processing of claims for losses due to Ike. Cameron Slocum’s office will soon be asking investigators to report losses to his office by filling out a form. Once the losses are known, Cameron’s office, working with UTMB’s consultants (Witt Associates) will develop information to send to the FEMA team that is assigned to UTMB. The FEMA team will develop a Project Worksheet (PW) that describes and substantiates the loss. The FEMA worksheet needs approval by the FEMA team’s management. Once a worksheet is approved, FEMA notifies the State of Texas which will authorize UTMB to obligate expenses for the replacement items. At this point, Cameron’s team will establish a special PeopleSoft chart field string relating to the approved Project Worksheet and notify the program area that replacement purchases can be made, which will require another special form attached to the purchase orders.
It is not clear at this time how long this process will take. However, PWs may be written for each PI or a group of PIs. Processing many small PWs makes it easier for FEMA to approve the replacement of items and will expedite the process.
Power Instability Requires Vigilance
Posted: Oct. 31, jb
Power is still unstable throughout campus and it is important that you continue to regularly monitor your freezers, whether on emergency or normal power. On Oct. 31, an emergency power line to the North side of the 6th floor of John Sealy Annex went down and is being repaired. Freezers on red plugs need to be monitored in this area. Contact Environmental Health Services for help in preserving samples. On Oct. 31, power to the Basic Science Building was temporarily taken down for repairs and advance notification was provided.
As a precaution, it is best to turn off any computers and equipment that are not being used (particularly overnight), especially if they are not on uninterruptible power sources (UPS).
SUBJECT LINE: NIH Late Submission Update
Posted: Oct. 28, jb
There has been much confusion and mixed messages from NIH officials regarding the policy on late submissions. Based on OSP's most recent conversation, the most frequent guidance regarding the policy is that the PI is granted a one day extension for each day the university is officially closed. The university is still not officially open; therefore, we are on calendar day 47 and counting (official evacutation occurred September 11). This applies to both October and November deadlines. As an example, a PI submitting for November 5th, per policy, has until December 22nd to submit the proposal (be sure to coordinate any submissions that occur over UTMB holidays with OSP). Prior approval is not required; only a cover letter explaining the reason for the delay. A cover letter can be obtained from OSP's web site at
http://research.utmb.edu/arweb01/cover_letter_delayed_submission_Ike.doc.
Keep in mind that scientific merit reviews begin Feb/Mar. If the institution continues to be officially closed resulting in a mid- to late January submission, it may be best to submit for the next cycle to allow for processing time.
Complexities arise with PARs/RFAs or other programs that have special review panels. For the most part, OSP is receiving the same response regarding permission to submit late; one day delay for each day closed. However, some program officials (PO) want draft information ahead of submission so they can begin pulling the review committee together without running into any conflict of interest issues and have appropriate expertise available. Also, in a couple of instances, the PO gave a definitive date in which the proposal had to be submitted. For these special announcements, it is recommended to err on the side of caution and touch base with the PO. The PI can do this directly or contact Kelly Lee
klee@utmb.edu
for assistance.
Link to Hurricane Ike Late Notice:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not-od-08-114.html
Research Update from the Provost/Dean of Medicine
Posted: Oct. 27, jb
On October 27, in the first of what he expects to be weekly updates, Dr. Garland D. Anderson, Provost and Dean of Medicine, focused on research.
-
I am working with our colleagues in FOAM on a plan for limited weekend hours in our research buildings. Your safety and the safety of our buildings is paramount. Our Campus Police Force is stretched thin, and we will open buildings on weekends first that have a functioning security system.
- We are discussing a request to NIH to extend funding for a year on research grants. We will keep you updated on that request.
- We do plan on having a full freshman class in the GSBS next year.
- We will honor the hiring commitments we have made. Some of those commitments may need to be postponed, depending on the budget situation.
- You will be receiving a survey in the next week asking you about equipment loss. Please fill it out. I will be working on a plan of equipment replacement with the Chairs and Center and Institute Directors.
- We will also be communicating to you in the next week about the documentation needed for FEMA.
- Many sponsors are granting extended proposal deadlines. Some have been more cooperative than others. Please contact the Office of Sponsored Programs Pre Award Section at 7-6841 for more information on which agencies will be extending their deadlines.
- I plan on holding a research retreat in the next six months.
- We will be asking the Chairs and Center and Institute Directors for a list of functioning and non-functioning office and lab space. We will use this list to develop a plan to assign functional lab space.
- Please remember that only the following constitute an emergency in the labs and a call to 2-1586:
- Smoke
- Sparks
- Leaks
- Dangerous odors
On a final note, I wanted to emphasize to those of you who were not here during the storm or shortly thereafter, that the university devoted the majority of its resources in that time period to preserving your research experiments, animals and buildings. There was an incredible effort by research, ARC, FOAM, Materials Management and Campus Police personnel, to do everything possible to save the samples stored in freezers throughout campus, and our research colonies. I was here and saw this effort first hand. There continues to be focused energy and effort on our research effort, and I commend everyone involved in this process.
Sincerely,
Garland D. Anderson, M.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost
Dean, School of Medicine
Thomas N. and Gleaves T. James Distinguished Chair
Research Services’ Pre-Award and Project Setup Teams Move to MRB
Posted: Oct. 27, jb for kl
The entire Research Services Pre-Award Team has temporarily relocated to the Medical Research Building (4.172/4.174). Two Project Setup Team members are located in MRB 4.120. Phone access is limited to only one extension (7-6841). A listing of Pre-Award Specialists can be found at the following link:
http://research.utmb.edu/osp/about_dept.shtm
Each specialist can be contacted via email.
Proposal drop off and pick up location: MRB 4.172.
Invitrogen Discount
Posted: Oct. 21, lbc
Invitrogen is offering UTMB researchers discounts on post-Ike purchases good through 11/30/2008. The quote is available here:
UTMB Ike Quote P26617
. Please make sure to reference the quote number P266617 to receive the discounted pricing listed. Contact your Invitrogen Account Manager, Carol-Beth Ivory at carolbeth.ivory@invitrogen.com with any questions.
Help Ordering Replacement Lab Products
Posted: Oct. 21, jb
Representatives from UTMB Purchasing and Fisher Scientific will be available to help with ordering replacement lab products from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the Research Help Center, Room 111A, First Floor, Basic Science Building. Fisher Scientific staff also can assist with signing up for the New Lab Startup program, available until 12/31/08. For details, please contact Robbie Bourgeois, 409-747-4710.
Some Research to Resume Monday
Posted Oct. 17, jb
UTMB Research Administration has designated Monday, October 20, as the day many research buildings will reopen for use. Please check Buildings Open to see whether yours is ready for occupancy. For further details, please link to Resume10-17
Process for Re-starting Research in Approved Buildings
Posted Oct. 15, jb for mm
- Principal investigators (PIs) assure that laboratory clean-out has been completed according to the
Laboratory Waste Disposal Instructions provided by Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).
- PIs call EHS at 21781 to confirm that lab clean-out is complete.
- FOAM announces that the building is ready to support research functions. (Start date will be indicated in green on the
UTMB Research Building Status web page.)
- On the start date, EHS staff members begin visiting labs to assess conditions and advise all researchers in the group on specific safety measures to be taken, if necessary.
- EHS completes the Lab Post-Storm Status Form, indicating whether the lab is approved for research use. If the lab is not approved, EHS will work with researchers to facilitate resolution of specific issues.
- EHS posts a copy of the completed form on the lab door and gives a copy to the PI.
- PIs send a copy of the approved EHS form to the Departmental Administrator as soon as the assessment has been done.
- PIs intending to conduct animal research provide a copy of the approved EHS form to the Animal Resource Center managers by faxing the form to 772-6016.
NIH Late Submission Confirmation
Posted Oct. 11, lbc
The Office of Sponsored Programs has received conflicting information from the Center for Scientific Review regarding late proposal submissions due to Hurricane Ike. We were initially told submissions for this cycle were required to be submitted by November 14th in order to meet the review deadlines; however, when reconfirming this with Dr. Suzanne Fisher's office in the Division of Receipt and Referral (DRR), we were given more positive guidance.
The DRR is unable to pinpoint a specific due date and advised requests would be on a case-by-case basis; this is applicable to both October and November deadlines. The standard rule is one day delay for each day closed; the institution is still officially closed and counting. Again, each investigator's situation will be different based on laboratory location, loss of samples, etc. Keep in mind that scientific merit reviews begin Feb/Mar. In some instances, it may be best to submit during the next cycle.
Per NIH's standing late policy (link below), "permission for a late submission is not granted in advance;" only a cover letter with adequate justification is needed. For your convenience, here (http://research.utmb.edu/arweb01/cover_letter_delayed_submission_Ike.doc) is a standard cover that can be modified to fit individual needs.
Special Guidance on RFAs/PARs with Special Receipt Dates: Per NIH's standing late policy, "Requests for Applications (RFAs) and Program Announcements with Special Referral Considerations (PARs) with special receipt dates always must be received (by Grants.gov for electronic applications and the Center for Scientific Review for paper applications) on the dates designated in the announcement to be on time. This is clearly noted in the website above and in the text of each RFA/PAR." The reasoning behind this policy is that RFAs/PARs have special review dates. Dr. Fisher's office also provided a bit more positive light in this respect. The investigator can contact NIH officials listed in the announcement and request an extension. If granted, the institute will notify the DRR, so the application will be accepted late.
If you are responding to an RFA/PAR with a special receipt date and the date has already passed, please contact Kelly Lee (klee@utmb.edu) so we can contact NIH on your behalf.
Link to Standard Late Notice: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not-od-06-086.html
Link to Hurricane Ike Late Notice: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not-od-08-114.html
Update from NIH Regarding November Deadlines
In an inquiry to NIH regarding the November deadline, we were advised that in order to meet this cycle,
proposals would need to be received on or before November 14. The revised R03 / R21 deadline is normally November 16.
Therefore, these applications must be submitted on time (November 17, due to the 16th being a Sunday).
The October deadlines (5 and 16) will follow the NIH policy of one day for each day the institution is closed.
Please contact the Office of Sponsored Programs - PreAward for a copy of the template letter to be submitted with the late proposals. Posted: Oct. 8, jb
Update On Campus Mail/Packages & Delivery
For Outgoing Packages
Until new drop-off boxes are established, bring your packages (including USPS mail and FedEx, UPS, DHS carriers) to the Distribution Center, 14th and Strand and arrange for processing/shipping or drop off for carrier delivery.
For Arriving Packages
Carrier deliveries are staged at the Warehouse, 14th and Strand warehouse. Please call 25348 or 21161 to inquire if there is anything for your department. Logistics is not delivering at this time. Refrigerated or perishable items in dry ice, for the time being, need to be coordinated with Receiving. If you are expecting these items, please provide vendor name/shipper, carrier, PO and tracking number to Receiving contacts: Johnny Quinine or Louis Griego.
For more information and updates, go to the Logistics Info page on the web http://www.utmb.edu/logistics.
For questions regarding Shipping & Receiving, contact 409-772-5348 or email: logistics.help@utmb.edu
For questions regarding Mail Services, contact 409-772-2140 or email logistics.help@utmb.edu
Posted: Oct 3, lbc NEW
Requesting Supplemental Funds from NIH
NIH grantees who wish to request supplemental funds due to
losses stemming from Hurricane Ike need to work through Kelly Lee(klee@utmb.edu) or Toni D’Agostino (todagost@utmb.edu). The request needs to
include a detailed budget and explanation of the loss. For Pre-Award
Specialists assigned to departments, link to: http://research.utmb.edu/osp/about_dept.shtm.
Posted: Oct. 2, jb
REMINDER: Submitting a Late NIH Application
Requires Only a Cover Letter
Faculty submitting grant
applications after the NIH deadline need only to include a cover letter with
the package. Link to the cover letter here. It is
unnecessary to contact Program Officers, who will repeat that the cover letter
is all that is required. Posted: Oct. 2, jb
November NIH Deadline Extensions
The university has been in Hurricane
Ike preparation or recovery mode since September 11, and remains officially
closed. For October NIH deadlines, applications from UTMB definitely will be
allowed deadline extensions of one day for each day the campus is closed. At
this time, it is still too early to know for sure about the length of delay
that will be considered for November due dates.
It is recommended that you be ready to submit as soon as feasible
depending on your specific circumstances (e.g. access to the pilot data, access
to computer files, etc.). Posted: Oct. 2, jb
In Lieu of the Research Listserv, Helpdesk Email Is
Available
http://www.utmb.edu/research/ItemListBlurb.doc
Posted: Sept.
30, jb
Dos &
Don’ts for Assessing Lab Conditions and Disposing of Waste:
http://research.utmb.edu/arweb01/news/research.dos.and.donts.asp
Updated: Sept. 30, jb
Laboratory
Waste Disposal Instructions from EHS:
http://research.utmb.edu/arweb01/news/research.lab.waste.disposal.asp
Posted: Sept. 30, jb
American
Cancer Society Policy for Extending Application Deadline:
http://www.utmb.edu/research/ACSextension.doc Posted: Sept. 30, jb
Sealy
Bridging Grants Deadline Extended:
Sealy
Bridging Grant applications have a new deadline: October 27, 2008. Please send
applications to Helen Cook, hcook@utmb.edu, who also will be available to
answer questions regarding the program. Details about the grants can be found
at: http://research.utmb.edu/sealy/default.asp.
Posted: Sept. 29, jb
Research Services
Staff Continues to Provide Services:
http://research.utmb.edu/arweb01/news/research.services.update.asp
Posted: Sept. 25, mc
Research Samples and
Work Are Being Maintained:
Answers to questions
about freezers, ventilation and dry ice are at:
http://research.utmb.edu/arweb01/news/research.power.asp
Posted: Sept. 19, mc
CLINICAL
RESEARCHERS
Clinical Pathology Lab Support Available for Researchers
Posted Tuesday, 10/14/08, lbc
The following divisions are now up and running: Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Blood Bank, and Cytopathology. Tissue Antigens and a limited menu of molecular tests should be back on line next week. The Laboratory Information Services (LIS) is back on line
http://www.utmb.edu/lsg/LIS.html and clinical pathology is beginning to report results electronically. The phone service is still limited but they can still communicate. For answers to specific questions regarding specific tests please contact:
M. Tarek Elghetany, MD, Laboratory Director
Phone: (409) 747-2468
melgheta@utmb.edu
The web address for Pathology Clinical Services Labs is: http://www.utmb.edu/pcs/index.htm
Investigational
Drug Service Users
All investigators who utilized the investigational pharmacy for storage and dispensing of
investigational drugs should contact their
sponsors and determine if the sponsor wishes to replace the investigational
drugs that were in the pharmacy through hurricane Ike.
http://www.utmb.edu/research/investigationaldrugs.doc Posted: Oct 1,
lbc
Requests for GCRC
Nursing Support:
GCRC Research Nurses
are available to provide research nursing support in remote locations
throughout the general Houston/Galveston area. Please contact Dr. Don Powell (dpowell@utmb.edu), Lori Wiseman (lwiseman@utmb.edu) or Margaret Ottenbacher (maottenb@utmb.edu) for more
information. Posted: Sept. 29, td
RESEARCH
STAFF
Look and
Leave for Non-E1 Staff Sept. 30-Oct. 3 from 1 to 4 p.m.
http://research.utmb.edu/arweb01/news/NonE1entry.asp Posted
Sept. 30, jb
E1 “Look and Leave”
Policy Remains in Effect:
http://research.utmb.edu/arweb01/news/research.bldgs.notopen.asp
Posted: Sept. 27, mc
Request Resupply of
Nitrogen:
http://research.utmb.edu/arweb01/news/research.nitrogen.asp
Posted: Sept. 25, mc
Update for E1s on
Maintaining Research:
http://research.utmb.edu/arweb01/news/research.update.asp
Posted: Sept. 22, mc
STUDENTS AND POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
Graduate
School Delays Resumption of Classes:
Dr.
Dorian Coppenhaver, Senior Associate Dean of the Graduate School, announced
September 29 that resumption of classes has been postponed. He will have more
definite information October 1. He asked students who have not yet responded
about housing needs to please do so. Include others who must be included in
your household, so he can get as accurate a number as possible. Posted: Sept.
29, jb
APS
Launches Ike Relief Fund for Grad Students and Postdocs:
The American Physiological Society recently authorized $50,000 for the
Hurricane Ike Relief Fund. The fund will provide unrestricted grants of up to
$2,000 to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to help them replace
belongings, pay for relocation costs, etc. Eligible graduate students and
postdoctoral fellows must be APS members or working in laboratories of APS
members. The deadline for submission is October 24, 2008. Details at
http://www.the-aps.org/ike.htm. Posted:
Sept. 29, lbc
NIH ASSISTANCE FOR HURRICANE IKE
NIH extramural
response to natural disasters and other emergencies can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/natural_disasters.htm. The
following are specific to Hurricane Ike:
·
Acceptance
of Late Grant Application Submissions:
NIH is considering all
late application submissions on a case-by-case basis, for flexibility. The
usual NIH practice applies and all electronic and paper applications submitted
late should include a cover letter noting the specific reasons for the delay. Link to cover letter here. Details about the policy can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-114.html
and http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-08-027.html.
·
Deadline
Extensions for Financial and Other Reporting:
Grantees who may have difficulty meeting
deadlines for financial and other reporting should contact the IC Grant
Management Officer responsible for the award regarding any expected
delay. Also, grantees expecting reporting delays on awards from multiple
NIH Institutes and Centers should contact the Office of Policy for Extramural
Research Administration (nihhghr@mail.nih.gov
or grantspoilcy@mail.nih.gov),
George Gardner (301-435-8140; Gardnerge@mail.nih.gov)
or David Curren (301-402-3451; currend@mail.nih.gov).
·
Assistance
with Laboratory Animal Welfare Issues:
Please contact the NIH Office of Laboratory
Animal Welfare at (301) 496-7163 during business hours (Eastern time) and at olaw@od.nih.gov.
·
Limited
Expenditure of Award Funds to Continue Paying Salaries and Benefits:
Grantees may ask to charge salaries and
benefits, as administrative/emergency leave, to currently active NIH awards, provided
this is consistent with the grantees’ policy of paying salaries (under
unexpected or extraordinary circumstances) and is consistently applied to
projects/objectives supported by all funding sources (Federal and non-Federal). Posted: Sept. 29, jb
NEED
HOUSING?
Housing Assistance Information:
The Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs has helpful information on its Website to help recover from Hurricane
Ike: http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/hurricane-resources/index.htm.
Information is at: http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/hurricane-resources/index.htm#apartments.
For a list of hotels and apartments compiled by UTMB, check out
http://www.utmb.edu/ike/news/housing.asp.
Posted: Sept. 29, lbc
