Stem Cell Research Oversight

Harvard's Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee (ESCRO) provides oversight for issues regarding the derivation and research use of human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESC) at all schools and research arms of the University. The ESCRO reports to the University Provost through the Vice Provost for Research Policy.

Review and approval by the ESCRO Committee is required for all research involving derivation of hESC lines, regardless of the source of funding or the applicability of state or federal law. It is required in addition to other approvals that may be required by law or institutional policy, including but not limited to Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs), and Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs). Approval from the ESCRO Committee will be contingent on the satisfaction of all other required approvals.

Contact

Melissa Lopes
Director of Research Policy and Compliance
Office of the President and Provost
Email: Melissa_Lopes@harvard.edu
Phone: (617) 496-0123
Fax: (617) 495-8051