CORID Review
All research involving human cadavers or cadaveric tissue at the University of Pittsburgh is reviewed by CORID, which also handles retrospective medical record reviews of decedents. This review is required for tissue secured internally via the School of Medicine’s Humanity Gifts Registry Program, the Department of Pathology, or UPMC Autopsy Services and externally via the Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) or an approved tissue bank providing human anatomic specimens.
Prior to submitting a CORID application, investigators should obtain a letter from their department chair or division chief indicating that the research project has been reviewed and approved for scientific merit. If cadaveric tissue is to be procured through CORE, it requires completion of a Research Submission Request, which may be obtained by contacting CORE at 800-366-6777 or by contacting Shoshana Matusak, CORID administrator, at 412-802-8280 or matusaksa@upmc.edu. (Note: CORID requires that documentation of CORE approval be submitted at the time of the CORID application.)
The Web site of the Office of Clinical Research–Health Sciences provides links for researchers to submit a new research project to CORID or to modify, renew, or submit a final report for an already-approved CORID project. In addition, UPMC policy requires that for research involving medical records of deceased individuals, written consent be obtained from next-of-kin or executors of the decedent’s estate. Investigators who will require access to protected health information must complete a Request for Access to Decedent Protected Health Information, which will be sent upon request to Ms. Matusak.
Although cadaveric studies involve human tissue, they are not subject to review by the Institutional Review Board (IRB), which governs research on living individuals. However, the IRB does handle primary oversight of studies that involve both living subjects and deceased individuals.
After a CORID application is approved, an Anatomic Specimen Request form must be completed and submitted to the Office for the Oversight of Anatomic Specimens (OOAS) for internal approval. OOAS processes all requests for specimens as well as the necessary paperwork with the University’s Office of Research for authorized signoff on material transfer agreements, which are required for all specimens procured from approved external sources.
CORID also addresses ethical issues related to this type of research. For more information about cadaveric research or to determine whether a tissue bank relevant to your research exists at the University or externally through CORE or an approved tissue bank, contact Ms. Matusak.
Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of interest (COI) can threaten the integrity of an institution’s scholarship, research, instruction, evaluation, and administration. Because these are serious issues, the University must disclose conflicts to federal funding agencies and provide assurances that potential conflicts are being managed. Therefore, all faculty and certain staff members are required to complete conflict of interest disclosure forms upon appointment, annually thereafter on or before April 15, and at any time their outside interests change. Individual researchers may also be required to complete an online training module concerning conflicts of interest that covers the following information: various types of COI; underlying ethical principles associated with COI; risks of unmanaged COI; University and federal COI policies; requirements to disclose outside interests; and sanctions for violation of COI policies. Without question, a current COI form must be on file with the University of Pittsburgh Conflict of Interest Office before a research study involving human subjects can begin. Note, however, that in the event of conflicts of interest, the University’s COI Office is willing to work with investigators to develop a management plan that satisfies all parties so the research can continue.
Compliance Training and Education
All individuals conducting research must complete the Research Integrity module offered through the University of Pittsburgh’s Internet-based Studies in Education and Research program.
