The 1st Full Bench Meeting of the NUMS Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) was held on 09 June 2023 at 1000 hours at the NUMS PWD Campus. Prof Dr. Aisha Mohyuddin, Dean MDS at NUMS, and Chairperson of IACUC, presided over the meeting.Following members attended the subject meeting;
|
S# |
Name |
Designation/Affiliation |
Role |
|
a. |
Prof Dr Aisha Mohyuddin |
Dean MDS, NUMS |
Chairperson |
|
b. |
Dr Imtiaz Ahmed Khan |
Prof Patho-Biology PMAS, ARID |
External Member |
|
c. |
Dr Shahid Waseem |
Director ORIC, NUMS |
Member |
|
d. |
Brig Naubahar Hussain SI(M) (Retd) |
Dir Legal Affairs, NUMS |
Legal Expert |
|
e. |
Dr Nazir Ahmed Lone |
Associate Prof NDBS |
Member |
|
f. |
Dr Syed Mahpara Farhat |
Assistant Prof NDBS |
Member |
|
g. |
Dr Muhammad Zeeshan Bhatti |
Assistant Prof NDBS |
Member |
|
h. |
Mr Aqeel Yunus |
Assistant Director, ORIC |
Secretary |
The Chairperson welcomed all the committee members and expressed gratitude for their attendance. An introductory session provided an overview of the agenda and the importance of the IACUC's role in ensuring ethical treatment of animals in research.
Following the introductory session 5x research studies were presented by their Principal Investigators. The details of each study were thoroughly discussed, including the methodologies, ethical considerations, and expected outcomes.
Throughout the meeting, committee members examined each research proposal. Their insightful comments and recommendations focused on ethical considerations, research methodology, data collection, and potential risks to animal subjects involved.
Following the presentations, the recorded comments and recommendations were promptly shared with the respective researchers and supervisors to ensure that the researchers have the opportunity to address and incorporate the committee's insights, thereby refining and strengthening their research proposals.
The 2nd Full Bench Meeting of NUMS IACUC chaired by Dean MDS NUMS, Prof. Dr Aisha Mohyuddin (Chairperson NUMS IACUC), was held on 25 April 2024 at 0900 hours at Discussion Room (Room 1.9), Tik Tower, NUMS PWD Campus, Islamabad. The following members attended the subject meeting:
|
S# |
Name/Designation |
Role |
|
a. |
Prof Dr Aisha Mohyuddin, Dean MDS, NUMS |
Chairperson |
|
b. |
Dr Imtiaz Ahmed Khan, Prof/Chairman, Department of Veterinary Pathology, PMAS ARID |
External Member |
|
c. |
Dr Shahid Waseem, Director ORIC, NUMS |
Member |
|
d. |
Brig Naubahar Hussain, SI(M) (Retd) |
Legal Expert |
|
e. |
Dr Nazir Ahmed Lone, Associate Professor NDBS |
Member |
|
f. |
Dr Syed Mahpara Farhat, Assistant Professor NDBS |
Member |
|
g. |
Dr Muhammad Zeeshan Bhatti, Assistant Professor NDBS |
Member |
|
h. |
Mr Aqeel Yunus, Assistant Director, ORIC, NUMS |
Secretary |
The meeting was conducted to review and discuss the following research projects/studies aimed at advancing wound care technology:
|
S# |
Research Project/Study Title |
|
1. |
Fabrication and Characterization of Silver Sulphadiazine Loaded Bio-Polymeric Cellulose Scaffolds for Wound Dressing Application |
|
2. |
Fabrication and Characterization of Cellulose Based Tricomposite Dressing Containing Silver Particles and Clindamycin for Wound Healing |
During the meeting, committee members deliberated on the scientific merit, ethical considerations, and animal welfare implications of both research projects.
The IACUC provided valuable feedback and recommendations to the researchers, emphasizing the importance of ethical practices and rigorous scientific methodologies in conducting animal-based studies. Suggestions were made to optimize experimental protocols, minimize animal discomfort, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
On October 25, 2024, the 1st meeting of the NUMS IRB & Ethical Committee for Clinical Trials was convened at 1000 hours in the NUMS Research Facilitation Centre (NRFC), NUMS Secretariat, Rawalpindi. The meeting was chaired by the Chairman “IRB & Ethical Committee for Clinical Trials”, Maj Gen Farrukh Saeed, HI(M) (Retd), Pro VC (Academics), NUMS. The following officials were present in the meeting:
|
S# |
Name |
Designation/Affiliation |
Role |
|
a. |
Maj Gen Farrukh Saeed, HI(M) (Retd) |
Pro VC (Academics) |
Chair |
|
b. |
Maj Gen Waseem Ahmad Khan, HI(M) |
HoD General Surgery, CMH Rwp |
Co-Chair |
|
c. |
Brig Naila Azam (Retd) |
Professor & HoD Community Medicine, FFH |
Member of Community |
|
d. |
Dr Shahid Waseem |
Director ORIC, NUMS |
Member |
|
e. |
Ms Arooj Jalil Khan |
Operation Specialist at Mindray |
Member General Public |
|
f. |
Mrs Sobia Fatima |
Advocate High Court, Awan Law Firm, Rwp |
Member of Legal Affairs |
|
g. |
Dr Nasrullah Qureshi |
Assistant Professor, Bahria University, Karachi Campus |
Member of Religious Affairs |
|
h. |
Mr Aqeel Yunus |
Assistant Director ORIC, NUMS |
Secretary |
The session commenced with a formal welcome by the Chairman “NUMS IRB & Ethical Committee for Clinical Trials”. An introduction of all members followed by a comprehensive presentation on the IRB processes and functions at NUMS was presented by the Secretary “NUMS IRB & Ethical Committee for Clinical Trials”. The agenda for the meeting included the review of a clinical trial research project submitted for ethical oversight and approval.”
After a thorough discussion, the project was approved with the recommendations to enhance ethical compliance and procedural clarity. Key suggestions focused on ensuring participant safety, minimizing potential biases, and improving the overall methodology of the study. This meeting set a significant precedent for overseeing clinical trials at NUMS, ensuring regulatory adherence and participant safety while fostering a collaborative and transparent review process.
