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About

Conflict of Interest Division

The Conflict of Interest Division (COID) helps the University community understand and comply with individual conflict of interest (COI) and institutional conflict of interest (ICOI) policies and, when relevant, regulations. The COID works with University faculty, staff, and investigators and with other University offices to manage potential COIs and ICOIs.

The COID is part of the Office of Research Protections and supports the University’s Conflict of Interest Committee and Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee.

Conflict of Interest Committee

The Conflict of Interest Committee (COIC) is a standing University committee, established by the University Conflict of Interest Policy for Research.  The COIC is responsible for the oversight and management of potential COIs, including potential COIs that involve University licensed start-up companies.

COIC Membership

COIC Chair: Craig Wilcox, PhD
COIC Vice Chairs: Mara Horwtiz, MD and John S. Maier, PhD, MD

The COIC includes voting members who represent the diverse interests of the University and include faculty, staff, students, a representative from the non-University community, and two members proposed by the president of the University Senate. The COIC currently includes representation from:

  • Office of Sponsored Programs
  • Office of Research Protections
  • Innovation Institute
  • Office of University Counsel
  • University Purchasing Services Office
  • A community member who is not affiliated with the University
  • A student currently enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh
  • A non-voting UPMC Corporate Services legal representative

COIC Meetings

COIC meetings are typically held on the third Friday of each month, except for August when no meeting is held. 

Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee

The Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee (ICOIC) is a standing University committee, established by the University Institutional Conflict of Interest Policy. The ICOIC is responsible for the review of Threshold University Transactions and the provision of institutional conflict management plans as advice to relevant Senior Decision Makers.

ICOIC Membership

ICOIC Co-Chairs: Lisa Parker, PhD, and Sunil Saxena, PhD

The ICOIC includes voting members from the University’s various schools, responsibility centers and regional campuses. This includes:

  • Chair of the COIC
  • Chair of the Institutional Review Board
  • 8 full-time University faculty members with a rank of Associate Professor or higher 
  • 1 University staff member
  • 1 external member who is not a University employee but is a representative of UPMC
  • 1 external member who has no affiliation to the University or UPMC

The ICOIC also includes non-voting members from the University who participate in discussions and provide information relevant to their areas of expertise as needed. This includes representatives from:

  • Office of Sponsored Programs
  • Office of Research Protections
  • Innovation Institute
  • Office of University Counsel
  • University Purchasing Services Office
  • University Philanthropic and Alumni Engagement

ICOIC Meetings

ICOIC meetings are typically held on the fourth Friday of each month, except for August when no meeting is held.