I. Purpose and Mission
The Faculty Advisory Committee for the Division of Comparative Medicine (the "Committee") is established to provide strategic guidance and recommendations that support the Division's mission, which aims to ensure excellent animal care while maintaining a balance between research needs and compliance, maintain a high level of service to research investigators, foster a collaborative environment with the research community at MIT and the Whitehead Institute that works with animals, and advance research and education in comparative medicine.
II. Scope and Authority
The Committee will report directly to the Vice President for Research and serve as an advisor to the Director of the Division of Comparative Medicine. The Committee does not have decision-making authority but offers expert advice, recommendations, and vital feedback to support leadership and the broader MIT community on institutional strategy, policy, and operations.
III. Primary Responsibilities
A. Strategic Planning and Direction
- Review and provide input on the Division's strategic initiatives and long-term goals
- Assess alignment with MIT's research priorities, institutional mission, and institutional resources
- Recommend opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships
- Raise awareness on evolving research trends and directions that may have an impact on animal resource needs
B. Assessment
- Review and provide feedback on key performance metrics and outcomes. Review and advise on proposed animal care rate changes and consider and advise the VPR and DCM Director on how these rate changes could impact the research community.
C. Research and Education
- Consider strategies to evaluate and improve research support, researcher training, and communication with the researcher community.
- Recommend ways to enhance collaboration between comparative medicine and other MIT departments.
D. Facilities and Resources
- Provide input on facility planning, infrastructure needs, and technological improvements
- Advise on equipment and resource priorities
E. Policy and Best Practices
- Provide feedback on policies and practices intended to align the Division's operations and compliance needs with the needs of the research community
- Share external best practices and lessons learned
F. Reporting and Communication
- Recommend strategies for greater visibility of the Division resources that are available to the MIT community, needs, and impact
- Advise on internal and external stakeholder engagement
- Serve as liaisons between the MIT research community and DCM leadership
IV. Membership
- Chair: Tyler Jacks, David H. Koch (1962) Professor of Biology
- Polina Anikeeva, Department Head and Matoula S. Salapatas Professor in Materials Science and Engineering; Professor, Brain and Cognitive Sciences; Director, K. Lisa Yang Brain-Body Center
- Iain Cheeseman, Herman and Margaret Sokol Professor of Biology
- Bevin Engelward, Professor of Biological Engineering
- Myriam Heiman, John and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Neuroscience; Chair, Committee on Animal Care
- Mehrdad Jazayeri, Professor and Director of Education, Brain and Cognitive Sciences
- Gio Traverso, Karl Van Tassel (1925) Career Development Professor; Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
- Omer Yilmaz, Associate Professor of Biology
V. Meeting Structure
- Frequency: Quarterly (minimum), with additional meetings as needed
- Support: Administrative support provided by the Division of Comparative Medicine and/or the VPR