Who has the authority to assign designated reviewers when designated-member review is applied?

The authority to assign designated reviewers in a situation where designated-member review is utilized lies with the Chairperson of the IACUC. This responsibility is rooted in the Chairperson's role in overseeing the operations and decisions of the committee. Designated-member review allows a subset of IACUC members to review and approve protocols, which streamlines the process for certain types of studies.

The Chairperson is in a position to ensure that the reviewers chosen are qualified and have the appropriate expertise related to the specific protocol being reviewed. This safeguards the integrity of the review process, as the Chairperson can select members who are most suitable to assess the ethical implications and animal welfare considerations of the research.

In contrast, while committee members have input and a participatory role in reviewing protocols, they do not have the direct authority to assign designated reviewers. The institution's compliance officer typically oversees adherence to regulations but does not possess the specific authority to assign reviewers. Likewise, the principal investigator is focused on the research itself and does not hold the responsibility for assigning reviewers, as their role is distinct from that of the IACUC.