Conflict of Interest in Research Committee

The Conflict of Interest in Research Committee (COIRC) oversees the implementation of the UO's Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) in Research Policy. The COIRC:

  • Promotes objectivity in research
  • Ensures compliance with the FCOI Policy and with federal FCOI regulations (42 CFR Part 50 F)
  • Ensures transparency and fairness in UO processes

The Committee's Charge

The COIRC has final FCOI determination and management authority. The committee meets monthly as needed. During these meetings, the COIRC:

  • Makes a final determination on whether an FCOI exists for a particular investigator against a sponsored project, if the case is unclear
  • Determines whether a conflict can be adequately managed and how to best do so
  • Reviews, provides input on, and approves management plans, retrospective reviews, and mitigation reports
  • Determines instances of non-compliance and recommends action steps to address it
  • Hears investigator appeals and leads the appeal process

COIRC Membership

The Vice President for Research and Innovation or designee appoints members to the COIRC. The Faculty Associate Vice President for Research serves as the committee chair. Members of the committee provide a broad representation across campus to ensure that faculty from the sciences, social sciences, and humanities have a voice on the committee.

The current COIRC members are:

  • Orca Merwin, Associate Director for Industry, Innovation, and Translation (co-chair)
  • Deanne Unruh, Faculty Associate Vice President for Research (co-chair)
  • Nick Allen, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Digital Mental Health
  • Ramesh Jasti, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
  • Richard Margerum, Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, College of Design
  • Jenn Pfeifer, Associate Dean of Research and Scholarship, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Rikki Pritzlaff, Research Compliance Administrator 2
  • Hal Sadofsky, Interim Vice Provost of Academic Administration
  • John Seeley, Associate Director of Research at College of Education
  • Jessica Price, Assistant General Counsel (ex-officio)
  • Mandy Gettler, Associate Director of Conflicts of Interest and Export Controls (ex-officio)

AY2024-25 Meeting Schedule

The COIRC meets monthly. For AY2024-25, the committee meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month.