Northern Michigan University's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) has won a Distinguished Team Award for its commitment as the backbone of animal research at NMU. The IACUC reviews research protocols that involve animals to ensure the study's correct animal treatment, scientific merit and proper ethical perspective.
This committee, chaired by Biology Professor John Bruggink, is populated by faculty from many disciplines, support staff and members of the Marquette community. They serve as a pillar of support for researchers, both students and faculty, who are working with animals. They offer guidance to new researchers and spend a significant portion of their days working to make animal research projects safer and more impactful. The work elevated NMU in the scientific community and within the local community.
Also, the IACUC works with multiple state and federal agencies to comply with laws, policies and best practices in the field. Due to the committee, NMU is well-regarded by animal compliance agencies on all levels. The IACUC greatly increases the academic and research rigor of the university, works with the research community and the local community to communicate NMU's commitment to ethical and high-quality research, and helps to guide research in the U.P. 's unique environment.