Office of Research Protections and Integrity (ORPI)

Advancing Ethical Research at UNC Charlotte

The Office of Research Protections and Integrity (ORPI) provides oversight, education, and support for integrity and compliance issues related to research at UNC Charlotte. Our staff promotes ethical and high-quality research by partnering with faculty, staff, and students in the navigation of the evolving regulatory environment.

As the University’s hub for research oversight, the ORPI encompasses programs for Animal Care and Use, Biosafety, Conflict of Interest, Export Control, Human Subjects Research Protection, Laboratory Animal Resources, and Research Integrity (Research Misconduct and Responsible Conduct of Research). Dr. Angelica Martins serves as the Executive Director for the unit. Please refer to the contacts below and to our component program pages for resources to support your work at the University. We look forward to assisting you!

Our Programs:

• Conflict of Interest – Assists faculty and staff with program-related form submission and policies, especially U.P. 101.24, Conflicts of Interest and Commitment, and U.P. 102.1, External Professional Activities of Faculty and Other Professional Staff. Reviews conflict of interest (COI) disclosure forms and coordinates with department heads and the UNC Charlotte COI Committee to mitigate conflicts of interest.
• Human Subjects Research – Facilitates the activities of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and supports investigators pursuing approval to conduct human subjects research.
• Biosafety – In conjunction with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), ensures safe and compliant use of biohazardous materials in campus research.
• Export Control – Protects the transfer of information, technology, commodities, and software in accordance with Federal law.
• Research Integrity – Comprises the following programs supporting integrity in University research:
  • Responsible Conduct of Research – Ensures compliance with the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training requirements of various sponsors, including the NIH, NSF, and USDA/NIFA.
  • Research Misconduct – Addresses allegations of research misconduct in accordance with University policy and federal regulations.
• Research Security – Safeguards the methods, knowledge, and outcomes of research until they are formally approved for sharing by research program leaders and the University.
• Animal Care and Use – Coordinates the review of animal protocols by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to ensure the ethical use of vertebrate animals in research or teaching.
• Laboratory Animal Resources – Manages care of vertebrate animals used in research and supports investigators with tailored training and research services.

Contacts: