3/11/2020 - Update for Faculty

To: Caltech Faculty
From: David A. Tirrell, Provost

As you know, Caltech is actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation. For updates on institutional actions, please visit Caltech's coronavirus webpage.

Effective immediately, please cease recruiting human subjects or conducting experiments that involve in-person testing of human subjects. We have decided to take this measure out of an abundance of caution and to promote the health and safety of both our subjects and our researchers.

This moratorium applies to all protocols where Caltech/JPL researchers conduct in-person testing of human subjects, and includes all on-campus testing of human subjects, as well as off-campus testing where Caltech personnel could come into contact with research subjects. This does not impact your ability to continue analysis on existing data, collaborate with other institutions whose personnel are conducting human subjects research, or collect data that does not involve direct interaction between you and the research subject (e.g., over the internet).

If your protocol involves data collection by an outside collaborator (i.e., not a JPL or campus employee) at an offsite location, or involves third-party collection of biological samples, recruitment of those subjects is at the discretion of the entity collecting the data or specimens.

As a reminder to those who are collecting biospecimens from third parties during this time, you should be utilizing BSL2 practices when handling the specimens.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Institutional Review Board atirb@caltech.edu. We will re-evaluate this decision frequently as the COVID-19 situation evolves. As we do so, your advice will be welcome.