Restarting Research at the University of Maryland: A Research 1 University Laurie E. Locascio, PhD Vice President for Research JQI Govtechworks.com ICE CALVED FROM THE UPSALA GLACIER. IMAGE CREDIT: NASA
Report from the COVID-19 Research Advisory Task Force Dean Boris Lushniak, School of Public Health • Jordana Saggese ● Bill Bentley ● Research Oversight Support Committee • Don Milton ● Steve Rolston ● Administrators Nate Hultman ● Catherine Carr ● Our Dedicated Graduate Students • John Bertot ● Jelena Srebric ● Steve Fetter ● Anna Li ● Eric Chapman ● Rochelle Newman ● Annie Rappeport ● Chad Stahl ● Pam Lanford ● Robin Puett ● Mary Dorman ● Laura Stapleton ● PREDECISIONAL
Setting the Stage: Research today Most universities shut down on-campus research in March 2020 (UMD Mar 21, 2020) Most universities planning for a gradual research restart now Most BIG10 universities planning for a June start Most universities planning a phased in approach based on occupancy Current State of UMD Research Funding ❖ Awards up $36M (+$10M from CARES act) ❖ Expenditures up $21M over last year ❖ Indirect cost recovery up $8M ❖ Proposal submission up $218M (+20M CARES) PREDECISIONAL
The Task Force examined four areas representing the vast majority of our research activities Laboratory & Studio Based Research (including scientific labs, spaces with specialized 1. equipment and instruments for the visual and performing arts and architectural design) Human Subjects Research 2. Farm/Field Based Research (excluding human subjects research; including 3. outdoor research including agricultural, environmental, archaeological, etc) Office-Based Research 4. PREDECISIONAL
Five Major Conclusions/Findings Five Major Conclusions/Findings Research should be one of the first activities to resume due to ability to maintain 1. controlled conditions & controlled environment; the risk can be mitigated to a low level. Testing the assumption that risk can be mitigated will be done through health screening, 2. monitoring, and epidemiological analysis. Resumption of on-campus research should be phased in over time according to the type 3. of research and reflecting the Guiding Principles outlined in this document. A preparatory phase for resumption of research should begin now and include intensive 4. planning and preparation of research spaces and buildings before any activity begins. Researchers must attest to abide by the rules of operation to minimize health risk. 5. PREDECISIONAL
Guiding Principles to Relaunch Research Follow the cognizant Local, State, and Na6onal Public Health Authority direc6ves to shelter-at- 1. home and implement social distancing. Priori6ze physical & emo6onal health and safety of our campus community, our visitors, and 2. our human research subjects. Make every effort to accommodate those who are uncomfortable coming to campus. 3. Priori6ze the support and cul6va6on of early-stage researchers: untenured faculty, 4. postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral students. They are the drivers of the future research enterprise. Recognize that undergraduates are students first, researchers second. Graduate students are 5. students first, with research as an integral part of their educa6on. Implement a fair, transparent, and equitable process for gran6ng access. 6. Ensure as rapid a research restart as the public health condi6ons permit. 7. Build in ins6tu6onal and individual flexibility as well as resilience in the solu6ons we adopt in 8. case lockdown must be invoked again. Create a rich learning, mentoring, and discovery experience for researchers in a flexible 9. environment. Cul6vate a spirit of radical crea6vity in research. Decide now what the future of research will be. PREDECISIONAL
If you can do your research remotely, please stay at home This helps the entire campus community by keeping us all safer And allows us to navigate this initial resumption of on- campus activities PREDECISIONAL
A Phased Approach to Restarting On Campus Research Activities ● Maryland’s Roadmap to Recovery recommends a phased approach to restart the economy: Stages 1-3 moving from low risk activities to high risk activities ● To ramp up on-campus research activities, we also recommend a phased approach, relaunching research activities in Phases 1-3 ● We will not begin with Phase 1 until we are assured that we have put all of the proper precautions in place to reduce risk to low level based on public health guidance ● We must continue to prioritize health and safety of our community and take all necessary measures to be safe and healthy PREDECISIONAL
Phase 0 Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Preparation Limited Presence Intermediate Presence Full Resumption Campus under Severe Research Progression to this phase based on the Progression to this phase based on Progression to this phase based on federal Governor’s plan to ease restrictions; Severe comprehensive risk assessment including an and state authorities lifting all restrictions Restrictions Research Restrictions lifted but new understanding of adverse events and associated with the COVID19 pandemic. guidance put in place as below adherence to required safety procedures during Phase 1 ● No research activities will be allowed ● Laboratories work at maximum 25% ● Laboratories will work at maximum Back to work as normal during this phase, except for work OCCUPANCY (not to exceed 1 50% OCCUPANCY (not to exceed 1 granted an exception by Deans and person/room or 200ft 2 ) with possible person/room or 150ft 2 ) with possible VPR staggered work hours staggered work hours ● PIs, working with their departments ● Those who can work at home must do ● Those who can work at home should and colleges/schools, will develop so do so but gradual inclusion of others plans for reopening labs, consistent may occur at the permission of the with university guidelines, and submit department or college administration Phase 0: Prepare Phases 1-3: Relaunch on-campus research activities for approval ● We will work to accommodate those ● Plans should include specifics such as researchers uncomfortable or unable sq ft per researcher, occupancy logs, to return safely to work (including PPE use, staging in space and time, those in high risk categories) disinfectants, contact tracing, laboratory access, personnel safety after normal business hours ● We anticipate this can be done remotely; however, if absolutely necessary, we will allow no more than one researcher per lab, designated by the PI and approved by dean and VPR to be allowed on site to prepare lab for reopening ● Researchers will take mandatory ● Researchers will take mandatory ● Researchers will take mandatory ● Screening procedures implemented at training and attest to the fact that training and attest to the fact that training and attest to the fact that each building, if warranted they will follow all health and safety they will follow all health and safety they will follow all health and safety guidelines guidelines guidelines PREDECISIONAL
Phase 0 Preparation Campus under Severe Research Campus still under Severe Research Restrictions in • Restrictions this Phase ● No research activities will be allowed This intensive planning and coordination phase • during this phase, except for work granted an exception by Deans and should begin as soon as possible to prepare labs for VPR ● PIs, working with their departments reopening and colleges/schools, will develop plans for reopening labs, consistent Preparation/planning should be done remotely as • with university guidelines, and submit for approval much as possible ● Plans should include specifics such as sq ft per researcher, occupancy logs, A single designated person per research space will be • PPE use, staging in space and time, disinfectants, contact tracing, permitted to access lab for preparation and planning laboratory access, personnel safety after normal business hours only ● We anticipate this can be done remotely; however, if absolutely This must be highly coordinated in departments • necessary, we will allow no more than one researcher per lab, designated by Guidance will be provided by the VPR’s office • the PI and approved by dean and VPR to be allowed on site to prepare lab for reopening ● Researchers will take mandatory training and attest to the fact that they will follow all health and safety guidelines PREDECISIONAL
Some activities in Phase 0 • Dra2 plans produced and approved by departments and deans (VPR office will provide informa?on and template) • Take mandatory training provided by ESSR • Assure sufficient personal protec?ve equipment exists in the lab • Determine how a low-density & appropriately socially distanced working environment can be established with staggered work schedule and possible rearrangement of cri?cal equipment • Put visual cues in labs for 62 distancing (tape on floor at entrance) • Post signs on shared equipment to disinfect a2er use • ALest to comply with university guidance to maintain safety and health (VPR office will provide form) • Set up occupancy logs • Set up hygiene sta?ons with gloves and disinfectant PREDECISIONAL
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