As artificial intelligence accelerates its influence on medicine and science, the real challenge is no longer whether AI is worth its cost—but how we choose to use it. In this episode, Dr. Catherine Bielick and Dr. Leo Anthony Celi examine how AI is transforming biomedical research and medical education, exposing deep flaws in legacy systems while offering a chance to rethink how knowledge is created, taught, and governed. 
 

Notes: 

• On Campus – A CITI Program Podcast - https://www.buzzsprout.com/1896915/ 
• CITI Program’s course catalog: https://about.citiprogram.org/course-catalog  

In this episode of On Research, we talk with attendees, presenters, and exhibitors who were at the 2025 PRIM&R Annual Conference in Baltimore about key takeaways, emerging themes, and what this year’s conference reveals about where research and ethics compliance is headed next. 
 

Notes: 

• PRIM&R   - https://primr.org/ 
• On Tech Ethics – A CITI Program Podcast - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2120643 
• CITI Program’s course catalog: https://about.citiprogram.org/course-catalog  

In this episode of On Research, we talk with Dr. Megan LaFollette, Executive Director of the 3Rs Collaborative, about the practical applications of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement, emerging animal model alternatives, and how federal initiatives are shaping the future of science.   
 

Notes: 

• The 3Rs Collaborative:  https://3rc.org/ 
• The 3Rs Certificate Course: https://about.citiprogram.org/course/3rs-certificate-course/ 
• On Campus – A CITI Program Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1896915/ 
• CITI Program’s course catalog: https://about.citiprogram.org/course-catalog  

In this episode, we talk with Danielle Mitchell, CEO and founder of Black Women in Clinical Research (BWICR), a professional organization dedicated to empowering, supporting, and connecting Black women working in clinical research through mentorship, networking, and career development opportunities. 
 

Notes: 

• Black Women in Clinical Research (BWICR) - https://bwicr.com/ 
• On Tech Ethics – A CITI Program Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2120643 
• CITI Program’s course catalog: https://about.citiprogram.org/course-catalog  

Guest host Dr. Anne Hawkinsbadge (CITI Program) and Dr. Regina Allen (Virginia Tech) discuss the NIH’s new requirement for Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) to post approved meeting minutes online, effective June 1. They explore how institutions can comply, while also examining the role, membership, and importance of IBCs in research compliance and safety. 
 

Notes: 

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) “NOT-OD-25-082: Implementation Update: Promoting Maximal Transparency Under the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules” https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-25-082.html
• On Campus – A CITI Program Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1896915 
• CITI Program – Biosafety and Biosecurity Course Catalog https://about.citiprogram.org/courses/?fwp_series=242&fwp_sort_courses=popularity 

They outnumber us by the quintillions. They’re used in research across genetics, behavior, ecology, neuroscience—even robotics. But when it comes to ethics and welfare, insects are often left out of the conversation. Can they feel pain? What responsibilities do researchers have to them? This episode of On Research explores big ethical questions about our smallest research subjects. Our guests are Dr. Meghan Barrett (Indiana University Indianapolis) and Dr. Bob Fischer (Texas State University), co-founders of the Insect Welfare Research Society. 

For links to studies, references, and further reading, please visit the CITI Program blog - https://about.citiprogram.org/blog/on-research-podcast-navigating-the-ethics-of-insect-research-sentience-welfare-and-scientific-responsibility/

Notes: 

• Clarification at 14:32 by Barrett: There are direct connections between sensory integrative brain regions and connections from the nociceptors to the sensory integrative brain regions (but that these are, necessarily, not direct.) 
• Consistent with the Indiana University Statement of Policy on Institutional Neutrality, the comments by Barrett contained in this communication are solely her own and such comments and content are not intended to be construed, and shall not be construed, as the views of Indiana University or comments made on behalf of or by Indiana University. 

Additional resources:

• Working with Insects in Research Settings – A CITI Program Course https://about.citiprogram.org/course/working-with-insects-in-research-settings/ 
• On Tech Ethics – A CITI Program Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2120643 

Today we’re stepping behind the scenes into a critical – but often invisible – part of the research world: maintaining integrity. Joining us is Dr. Courtney Karmelita, Executive Director of Ethical Research and Outreach at Penn State. In today's conversation, we'll talk about what really happens when concerns are raised, how institutions handle research misconduct investigations, the challenges of navigating gray areas, and why a culture of integrity matters now more than ever.  
 

Additional resources: 

• Interested in learning more about research integrity? Register for CITI Program’s free live webinar “I’m a new RIO, what do I do now?” on July 9. https://about.citiprogram.org/news/free-live-webinar-im-a-new-rio-what-do-i-do-now/ 
• On Campus – A CITI Program Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1896915/ 
• CITI Program Course Catalog: https://about.citiprogram.org/courses/ 

How do we responsibly study digital communities without violating their trust? Where do we draw the line between research and interference? Joining us today is Dr. Sarah Gilbert, a research associate at Cornell University and research director of the Citizens and Technology Lab. Her work focuses on supporting healthy online communities, including how online data can be reused ethically. Together, we'll unpack the CMV subreddit case, explore how current research norms are being tested in real time, and ask what a more transparent future might look like.  

Additional resources:  

Research papers about ethical research on Reddit: 

• Remember the Human: A Systematic Review of Ethical Considerations in Reddit Research - https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3633070
• Cross-Platform user expectations for social media data reuse - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20539517231164108

Guides: 

• Association for Internet Researchers: Internet Research: Ethical Guidelines 3.0 - https://aoir.org/ethics/ 
• PERVADE Data Ethics Tool - https://pervade.umd.edu/pervade-data-ethics-tool/
• AskHistorians Policy for Researchers using r/AskHistorians in Research - https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1iu4otk/meta_new_policy_for_researchers_using/
• Excavating awareness and power in data science: A manifesto for trustworthy pervasive data research - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20539517211040759
• Beyond the Individual: A Community-Engaged Framework for Ethical Online Community Research - https://arxiv.org/pdf/2503.13752

Tool for large-scale disclosure: 

• Procedural and Substantive Ethics in the Design of Research Ethics Systems - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20563051221077021

Today’s episode is a celebration of CITI Program’s 25th anniversary. We talk with a panel of long-time employees, including Jaime Arango, Vice President of Content and Education, Daniel Smith, Director of Content and Education, and Adiper Bello, Director of Operations and Support, about the history of CITI Program, key milestones in the company, and where CITI Program is headed.   

Additional resources: 

• CITI Program timeline:  https://about.citiprogram.org/get-to-know-citi-program/ 

Join us for a fascinating discussion with Dr. Jeremy Rossman, a researcher of 25 years, virologist, and President of a non-profit aimed at creating lasting and sustainable community development in research worldwide. We take a deep dive into community engagement in research; what it means, the challenges and opportunities, and why it’s so important. Jeremy does a wonderful job of explaining community engagement from all sides, whether you’re the researcher, the community involved in the research, or the funding agency; it really takes all parties involved to work collaboratively towards improving research. 

A special thank you to Cynthia Bellas for helping produce this episode! 

Guest Bio: Dr. Jeremy Rossman is a virologist, President of the non-profit organization Research-Aid Networks, and an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Virology at the University of Kent. Dr. Rossman has conducted collaborative interdisciplinary research on the molecular biology of pandemic-causing viruses, international epidemic responses, evidence-based humanitarian aid and science education. Research-aid networks facilitate collaborative and evidence-based approaches for assessing need, delivering aid, evaluating effectiveness, and achieving equitable, long-term, sustainable community development worldwide. 

 
Additional Resources: 

• Dr. Rossman’s Non-Profit Research-Aid Networks - https://researchaidnetworks.org/
• NIH Community Engagement Alliance - https://ceal.nih.gov/
• Long-COVID Patient-Led Research Collaborative - https://patientresearchcovid19.com/
• Learn more about HRP Consulting here - https://thehrpconsultinggroup.com/
• Learn more about CITI Program at about.citiprogram.org.  

Join us for a fascinating discussion about the recently updated Dual Use Research of Concern policy. There was so much to cover that I brought in two experts – one as my co-host and the other as our guest. If you don’t know much about Dual Use Research of Concern, this conversation will be a fantastic primer. We discuss what Dual Use means, the policy updates, how these updates could impact your research institution, and why all of this matters.  

Also of note, we recorded this episode a couple of weeks ago, in the midst of the many executive orders impacting research. Anne and Melissa do share their thoughts on how you should move forward in this gray area we’ve all found ourselves in, but we always encourage folks to stay up to date as much as possible on the evolving landscape.      

Additional Resources: 

• DURC Policy released May 2024, effective May 2025 - https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USG-Policy-for-Oversight-of-DURC-and-PEPP.pdf
• Implementation Guidance for DURC policy - https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USG-DURC-PEPP-Implementation-Guidance.pdf
• Learn more about HRP Consulting: https://thehrpconsultinggroup.com/
• Learn more about CITI Program at about.citiprogram.org.  

Guest Bios: 

Melissa James – Guest – Melissa is the BSL-3 Facility Manager for Yale University with 12+ years of high containment experience, including establishing and maintaining compliance with the Federal Select Agent Program. Her degrees in biology and Homeland Security and RBP credentials position her to share her vast knowledge and experience with others in the field.

Anne Hawkinsbadge – Guest Host – Anne is the Assistant Director of EHS. She is a Certified Safety Professional, Certified Healthcare Safety Professional, Certified Healthcare Emergency Professional, and a Chemist with the American Society of Clinical Pathology. Her work experience includes healthcare, auto manufacturing, pharmaceutical, academia, worker compensation insurance, and chemical manufacturing.