Our mission
The mission of the Mass General Brigham Research Compliance Office is to ensure policies and procedures are developed in accordance with local, state, and federal policies; educate the research community on regulatory requirements; and provide oversight and monitoring of high-risk research activities. The office responds to incidents of non-compliance and coordinates efforts across a multitude of departments and institutions to develop corrective action plans and report to the appropriate regulatory agency. We also provide a means for staff to report non-compliance without fear of retaliation.
Additional resources
Although rare, instances of scientific research misconduct may arise. When they do, it is the responsibility of the research community to see they are addressed appropriately.
All allegations must be reported to the hospital Research Integrity Officer (RIO) unless they are unvalidated. Unfounded or bad faith allegations have a profound impact on the individual(s) accused of wrongdoing even when proven false.
The RIOs listed below are available to discuss any circumstances that may raise issues regarding the scientific integrity of research at their hospital.
- Mass General Brigham: Paul Anderson, MD, PhD
- Brigham and Women's Hospital / Faulkner Hospital : Kathryn M. Rexrode, MD, MPH
- Massachusetts General Hospital: Robert Kingston
- Mass Eye and Ear : Michael Gilmore, PhD
- McLean Hospital: Kerry Ressler, MD, PhD
- The MGH Institute of Health Professionals: Nara Gavini, PhD, MPhil
- Newton-Wellesley Hospital : Heather Cosier, JD (interim)
- Salem Hospital: Mitchell Rein, MD
- The Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Corporation: Heather Cosier, JD (interim)
Principal Investigators, as leaders of scientific projects, are responsible for the scientific integrity of work undertaken in their laboratories and for mentoring staff who work on these projects. Educating staff, fellows, and students in research best practices is the foundation for discouraging scientific misconduct and promoting research integrity.
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training is required of students and trainees supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) institutional training grants, individual fellowships, and career development awards.
RCR training is required of undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows with any National Science Foundation (NSF) support.
RCR training is required of undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows, faculty, and other senior personnel who receive any National Science Foundation (NSF) funds.
The Mass General Brigham RCR Training Program consists of two parts:
- MGB Seminar – offered four times per year
- Participation in no less than four lecture/discussion offerings identified as eligible for RCR credit.
The Mass General Brigham RCR seminar must be attended within 12-months of the NIH or NSF appointment date or, if a direct award, e.g., an F or K award, as of the award effective date. The lecture component must be completed within 12 months of attendance at the Mass General Brigham RCR seminar.
Instruction in RCR must be undertaken at least once during each career stage, and at a frequency of no less than once every four years. Those individuals with four or more years of training support can meet the additional requirement by attending a MGB RCR Refresher Seminar.
Students, fellows, and career awardees supported by NIH or NSF awards administered by a Mass General Brigham hospital completing their work at a non-Mass General Brigham institution should email the Mass General Brigham Research Compliance Office at rcr@mgb.org to register for RCR training.
Upon completion of the program, trainees are required to submit an Attestation Form in RedCap to notify the MGB Research Compliance Office they have fulfilled the NIH requirement. You should download and retain a PDF copy from RedCap confirming your submission of your attestation as documentation for the NIH if requested.