March 2026 Newsletter
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Stay up-to-date with the latest news and resources from the Office of Research Protections (ORP)
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Proofig AI Image Analysis Software is Now Available
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Proofig AI is an AI-powered image-integrity platform that detects image manipulation, duplication, plagiarism, and AI-generated images in scientific manuscripts and publications. It addresses a common problem in research publishing where the same image is reused across multiple figures to falsely represent different experimental results — whether through intentional misconduct or innocent error.
The tool can be used by researchers before manuscript submission, and it can compare images both within a manuscript and against a growing database of published open-access papers.
Online training for the Proofig AI platform is available at this link; the Health Sciences Library is also offering a training session via Zoom, as detailed below.
Studies have shown that a significant proportion of manuscripts contain image-related problems, making automated tools like Proofig AI an important safeguard for research credibility.
Login to Proofig AI here or simply go to my.pitt.edu and search for “Proofig.”
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University’s Animal Care Program Ranked as Exemplary
The University's Animal Care and Use Program has been reaccredited by AAALAC International.
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AAALAC is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through a rigorous voluntary accreditation process, which includes a detailed institutional self-assessment followed by an on-site evaluation by a team of veterinarians and scientists. Achieving AAALAC accreditation signals that an institution goes beyond mere regulatory compliance and has demonstrated a genuine commitment to excellence in animal care and use.
In its accreditation notification, AAALAC commended the University and its staff for providing and maintaining an "exemplary program" of animal care and use, highlighting the strength of Pitt's program across all dimensions — from committed leadership and expert staff to well-maintained facilities, excellent veterinary care, healthy animals, and robust programs supporting both staff wellbeing and environmental enrichment.
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As a regulatory requirement for animal research conducted at the University, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) performs inspections of every site where vertebrate animals are housed or used in studies. These inspections must occur at least once every six months and are conducted in accordance with the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
Please be advised that Spring 2026 inspections are currently underway.
To help your team prepare, training resources are available through the IACUC Training Video Presentations Library. New lab members are especially encouraged to watch the video "What to Expect When You Are Expecting a Review of Your IACUC-Approved Space & Animal-Related Activities," found under the SAR category.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the highest standards of animal care and regulatory compliance.
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Remember to Complete Your Annual Conflict of Interest Disclosure by April 15!
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If you are required to complete an Annual Disclosure, you received an email from MyDisclosures between March 16 - 20.
To review the disclosure requirements, MyDisclosures training videos, step-by-step instructions or guidance for supervisors, visit: https://www.coi.pitt.edu/mydisclosures
If you have questions, contact ORP's Conflict of Interest Division at mydisclosures_support@pitt.edu.
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Earlier this month, ORP hosted a seminar on managing financial conflicts of interest in research. The session highlighted why the COI process matters, what is expected of investigators and supervisors, and how disclosures are reviewed to identify and manage potential conflicts.
A key takeaway was that understanding and engaging in the COI process is a shared responsibility across the research community.
If you missed the session, the webinar recording and slide deck are now available.
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Update to DoD Prohibited Entity List Requirements
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The Department of Defense (DoD) recently updated its Component Decision Matrix, which guides mitigation decisions for fundamental research proposals. One significant new prohibited factor states that no DoD-funded investigator may engage in:
"Active collaboration for the specific purpose of fundamental research between a covered individual and any academic institution or entity — or employee of such entity — on the current Prohibited Entity Lists; or funding of, or to, an entity on any of the Prohibited Entity Lists, or employees of such entities."
This requirement incorporates a number of governmental restricted party lists, including the list published pursuant to Section 1286 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019, as amended, the Entity List maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the Department of Commerce, and 11 additional designated lists.
Investigators with DoD funding should carefully review their current collaborations to confirm that none involve employees or representatives of institutions appearing on any of these specified lists. Please also be aware that forthcoming publications co-authored with individuals at listed institutions are likely to attract scrutiny from the Department of Defense.
The majority of institutions on these entity lists are located in countries of concern, most notably China, Russia, and Iran. DoD-funded investigators who maintain active collaborations in any country of concern are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Research Security and Trade Compliance (researchsecurity@pitt.edu) to determine whether those collaborations involve an institution on a restricted entity list.
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U.S. export control regulations play a critical role in protecting sensitive technologies and information—but they also have important implications for everyday research and business activities at universities.
Join us for an informative webinar that breaks down the foundational principles of these regulations and explains how they apply in a university setting. The session will also explore how export controls intersect with broader research security efforts on campus.
Whether you work in research, administration, or compliance, this webinar will provide valuable context and practical insights.
U.S. Export Control Regulations and How They Apply to Universities
📅 April 24, 2026 | 12 – 1 p.m.
🎤 Speaker: Allen DiPalma
Director, ORP's Research Security & Export Control Division
Click Here to Register
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Spotlight on Safety: Reporting Incidents to the IBC
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The NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) require the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) to be notified of any injuries or exposures involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid materials. Such incidents may include needle sticks or cuts from sharp instruments, failures of personal protective equipment (PPE), and other exposures.
Please quickly attend to the injury and satisfy Worker's Compensation requirements using guidance on this page.
In addition to completing these procedures, please take the following steps if the injury involved recombinant materials:
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Complete the incident reporting form on the IBC Incident Reporting Page.
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Email the completed form to ibo@pitt.edu.
Prompt reporting ensures the safety of all research personnel and maintains compliance with federal requirements.
Please do not hesitate to contact the ORP's IBC Division with any questions.
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Beginning July 1, 2026, the Office of Research Protections (ORP) will implement updated fees for industry-sponsored human participant protocol reviews involving Human Gene Transfer and Innovative Uses of Radiation (e.g., radiopharmaceuticals).
These fees reflect the increased complexity and regulatory oversight required for these types of studies and will support enhanced review processes and compliance resources.
Please note: These fees apply only to studies involving human participants—not animal or bench research. The updated fee sheet is available within the PittPro Library, and additional details will also be posted on the ORP website.
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Upcoming Educational & Training Opportunities
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Consider signing up for these training opportunities offered by the Office of Research Protections and our partners:
⭐️ - part of the ORP Seminar Series
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