Final answer:
The a. principal investigator is the research team member responsible for planning and coordinating all phases of the research work, including compliance with ethical and federal regulations involving Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) guidelines.
Step-by-step explanation:
The member of the research team who plans and coordinates all phases of the research work is the a. principal investigator.
The principal investigator is responsible for not only the design and execution of the research but also for ensuring that the research adheres to ethical and legal standards.
This includes overseeing the work of the research team, managing resources, and ensuring compliance with institutional and federal regulations.
When dealing with animal research, this role becomes particularly crucial as the research must comply with the guidelines set by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), as well as the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy).
The IACUC is vital in overseeing and ensuring ethical treatment of animals in research settings.
It consists of institutional administrators, scientists, veterinarians, and community members, and performs semi-annual inspections to ensure the humane handling of animals.
It also reviews animal research proposals to ensure that ethical standards are maintained throughout the process.