The Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) Research Integrity Office is dedicated to serving the research community by promoting a culture of integrity and ethical behavior in science.
As a leading research institution, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) is committed to the highest standards of ethical conduct in research. This is achieved through adherence to institutional policies and procedures, applicable federal regulations, and accepted practices within the scientific community, as well as a general commitment to rigor and reproducibility. In addition, core values such as, objectivity, honesty, openness, and accountability are key. (Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). 2017. Fostering Integrity in Research: A Consensus Study Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. P. 29-37)
“Best Practices” for researchers, as defined in the NASEM report, are as follows:
- “Uphold research integrity with vigilance, professionalism, and collegiality.”
- “Manage research data effectively, responsibly, and transparently throughout the research process...”
- “Follow general and disciplinary authorship standards when communicating through formal publications...”
- “Know your responsibilities as a mentor and supervisor...”
- “Strive to be a fair and effective peer reviewer who provides careful reviews, maintains confidentiality, and recognizes and discloses conflicts of interest.”
- “Understand and comply with relevant institutional and governmental regulations governing research, including those specific to a given discipline or field.”
(Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2017. Fostering Integrity in Research: A Consensus Study Report. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. P. 167-173)
Research Misconduct
Under 42 CFR Part 93, the federal regulations governing research misconduct proceedings, Research Misconduct is defined as falsification, fabrication or plagiarism.
- Fabrication is defined as "making up data or results and recording or reporting on them."
- Falsification is defined as "manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record."
- Plagiarism is defined as "the appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit."
(Source: 42 CFR 93,103 (p.28386)
MSHS policies relating to ethical practices in research encompass both Research Misconduct as defined by 42 CFR Part 93, and other improprieties relating to research, such as the Program for the Protection of Human Subjects (PPHS) and Institutional Care and Use Committee (IACUC) violations and financial misappropriateion. MSHS policies apply to all research conducted under the auspices of ISMMS (see Chapter V of faculty handbook).
Authorship Disputes
Authorship disputes that do not include allegations of Research Misconduct (i.e., falsification, fabrication, or plagiarism) are typically handled at the departmental level and should be brought to the attention of the department chair. Please see the Faculty Handbook Authorship Policy for further details.
Policies and Procedures
Mount Sinai Health System
As noted above, MSHS Policies and Procedures on Ethical Practices in Research apply to all research conducted under the auspices of ISMMS.
Federal Register
In addition to its own policies and procedures, MSHS abides by and enforces government regulations relating to research integrity. 42 CFR Part 93 governs all research supported by Public Health Service (PHS) funds.
Research Integrity Team
The Mount Sinai Health System and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Reginald W. Miller, DVM, DACLAM
Dean, Research Operations and Infrastructure
Senior Research Integrity Office (ISMMS/RIO)
Professor, Comparative Medicine and Surgery
Professor, Environmental Medicine and Public Health
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Phone: 212-241-3006
reginald.miller@mssm.edu
Mount Sinai Morningside, Mount Sinai West, Mount Sinai Beth Israel
& New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai
Emilia M. Sordillo, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine
Research Integrity Officer (Mount Sinai Morningside/MSW RIO/MSBI/NYEE)
Mobile: 347-514-3372
emilia.sordillo@mountsinai.org
Research Integrity Committee (RIC) Chairs
Francesco Ramirez, PhD
Professor, Pharmacological Sciences, Orthopedics, Medicine, Cardiology
Bruce D. Gelb, MD
Professor, Pediatrics and Genetics and Genomic Sciences
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Faculty
Matthew J. O’Connell, PhD
Senior Associate Dean for PhD Programs
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Professor, Department of Oncological Sciences, ISMMS
Phone: 212-659-5468
matthew.oconnell@mssm.edu
RIO Staff
Karen C. Weston
Research Integrity Program Manager, MSHS
Phone: 646-841-2429
karen.weston@mountsinai.org