Conflict Review Panels
The Individual and Institutional Conflict Review Panels are made up of University faculty, staff and outside community members. The Panels are charged with making conflict of interest determinations and determining the mechanisms required to manage conflicts under a written conflict management plan.
Individual Conflict Review Panel
| Name | Role | Title | Department | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arthur Erdman | Co-Chair | Professor | Mechanical Engineering | College of Science and Engineering |
| Paul Olin | Co-Chair | Professor | Restorative Sciences | School of Dentistry |
| Zata Vickers | Vice Chair | Professor | Food Science and Nutrition | College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences |
| Graham Candler | Member | Professor | Aerospace Engineering & Mechanics | College of Science and Engineering |
| Jill Cordes | Member | Director | Research Administration | Fairview Health Services |
| Vance Fiegel | Member | President/COO | Embro Corporation | *Community Member |
| Marti Hope Gonzales | Member | Associate Professor | Psychology | College of Liberal Arts |
| Noam Harel | Member | Professor | Radiology - CMRR | Medical School |
| Kerri Stahlecker | Member | Compliance Officer | University of Minnesota Physicians | |
| Clifford Steer | Member | Professor | Medicine | Medical School |
| Sarah Averbeck | Ex Officio | Med School Compliance Officer | MS Dean's Office Admin | Medical School |
| Debbie Dykhuis | Ex Officio | Executive Director | Human Research Protection Program | Vice President for Research |
| Jon Guden | Ex Officio | Associate Director | Conflict of Interest Program | Office of Institutional Compliance |
| Kaley Klanica | Ex Officio | Senior Associate General Counsel | Office of the General Counsel | |
| Danielle Rintala | Ex Officio | Director | Research Intelligence and Compliance Team | OVPR |
| Amy Rollinger | Ex Officio | Associate Director | Sponsored Projects Administration | Vice President for Research |
| Russ Straate | Ex Officio | Associate Director | Venture Center | Office for Technology Commercialization |
Institutional Conflict Review Panel
| Name | Role | Title | Department | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arthur Erdman | Chair | Professor | Mechanical Engineering | College of Science and Engineering |
| Quinn Gaalswyk | Member | Chief Auditor | Internal Audit | |
| Paul Olin | Member | Professor | Restorative Sciences | School of Dentistry |
| Jeffrey Ratliff-Crain | Member | Professor | Center for Learning Innovation | UM-Rochester |
| Mike Volna | Member | Associate Vice President | Office of University Finance | |
| Sarah Averbeck | Ex Officio | Med School Compliance Officer | MS Dean's Office Admin | Medical School |
| Jill Cordes | Ex Officio | Director | Research Administration | Fairview Health Services |
| Debbie Dykhuis | Ex Officio | Executive Director | Human Research Protection Program | Vice President for Research |
| Jon Guden | Ex Officio | Associate Director | Conflict of Interest Program | Office of Institutional Compliance |
| Rick Huebsch | Ex Officio | Executive Director | Office for Technology Commercialization | Vice President for Research |
| Kaley Klanica | Ex Officio | Senior Associate General Counsel | Office of the General Counsel | |
| Danielle Rintala | Ex Officio | Director | Research Intelligence and Compliance Team | OVPR |
| Pamela Webb | Ex Officio | Associate Vice President | Sponsored Projects Administration | Vice President for Research |
| Frank Cerra | Community Member | Professor Emeritus, former Med School Dean and Sr. VP Health Sciences | ||
| Al Levine | Community Member | Professor Emeritus, former CFANS Dean and Vice President for Research |
Roles and Responsibilities
- Which Conflict Review Panel will look at my matter?
-
The Conflict of Interest Program works with two conflict review panels (CRPs). Each Panel has an executive panel that initially reviews matters presented by Conflict of Interest Program staff.
The Individual CRP reviews potential conflicts of interests involving faculty and staff who do not serve as a University Official. The Institutional CRP reviews matters related to University Officials or issues that involve institutional conflicts.
- What does an Executive CRP do?
-
An Executive CRP includes the panel chair and vice chair, a representative from the Office of General Counsel, and COI Program staff.
Executive CRPs review the information reported on an individual's Report of External Professional Activities (REPA) or Financial Disclosure of University Officials (FDUO), and any other relevant information obtained to determine whether:
- additional information is needed;
- a conflict of interest likely exists and, if so;
- the conflict should be eliminated, reduced, or otherwise managed.
If the Executive CRP determines that no conflict of interest exists, the REPA or FDUO will be approved by COI Program staff and no further action is required. If the Executive CRP determines that a potential conflict of interest exists, the matter is referred to the appropriate CRP for review and resolution.
- What does a CRP do?
-
A CRP is the only entity that can determine the existence of a conflict.
The full panels are comprised of a chair, vice chair, faculty, professional and academic administrative staff, at least one community member, and ex officio (non-voting) members representing the Office of Institutional Compliance, the Office of General Counsel, and the Office of the Vice President for Research.
The CRP reviews the REPA or FDUO to determine if an actual conflict of interest exists. In conducting its review, a CRP considers many factors, to include:
- the nature of the business or financial interests;
- whether the financial interest is a "significant financial interest";
- when and how the business or financial relationship commenced, and any changes to the relationship during the past reporting year;
- whether the financial or business interest is related to the covered individual's University expertise and responsibilities;
- if it is determined that a financial or business interest is related to the covered individual's University expertise and responsibilities, whether the covered individual is in a position or has the opportunity to take action in his or her University role that might benefit the commercial interests of the company;
- the nature of the University activity that may be impacted if a conflict of interest finding is made and the extent of that impact;
- whether the covered individual has unique qualifications that should be taken into consideration when determining the outcome of the review; and
- the existence of any mitigating factors.
If the CRP finds a conflict, it will approve a conflict management plan. The COI Program staff will prepare the plan and distribute it to the plan holder and department or unit head and, when applicable, to the associate dean for research, dean, SPA, and HRPP.