Thompson Center Research Application
A priority mission of the Thompson Center is to enhance research related to autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders on the MU campus. Faculty members from many different academic units are now working on developmental science research, and there are still many opportunities for advancement of this research agenda. The policies and procedures listed provide a standard method for accessing research participants and related resources through the Thompson Center.
Research Policies
- Faculty affiliated with the Thompson Center (adjunct/joint faculty) will be given priority access to research resources. For information about how faculty can become affiliated with the Thompson Center, please contact 882-6081.
- Access for recruitment of TC subjects and other research resources (e.g., statistician and grant writer’s time) will be given in the following priority order:
- a. Approved grant-funded projects (including Thompson Research Scholars)
- b. Joint faculty projects
- c. Adjunct faculty projects
- d. Non-affiliated MU faculty projects
- Approval for access to participants should be sought by completing an Application for Research Resources form PRIOR to submitting a grant, with more detailed information about the study provided once the grant award is made. If this step is not taken there is no guarantee that there will be access to participants. Approval of one study at the Thompson Center does not automatically lead to approval for subsequent studies.
- All faculty, postdoctoral fellows, interns, staff, and students that will have contact with research participants at the Thompson Center will have a health screen before the study can begin. Please contact Staff Health to schedule your free health screen at the University Hospital (884-8770). Walk-in health screenings are available for those individuals who have had previous health screens at Staff Health. Please bring your immunization records with you (TB skin test, tetanus, MMR, varicella, and Hepatitis B). Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended only for persons with exposure to blood and blood products. Health screens are also required on research staff that are not University employees and Staff Health will conduct these screenings.
All individuals required to obtain a health screen should request a copy of the Annual Screening Completion form during the health screen and submit the form to Mary Clark at the Thompson Center. - All faculty, postdoctoral fellows, interns, staff and students on the research team will sign an Access and Confidentiality Agreement and will be provided with a Thompson Center name badge.
- IRB approval must be submitted to the Thompson Center before subjects can be recruited.
- If significant conflicts arise between investigators over access to subjects or research resources, these will be referred to the Scientific Advisory Board for resolution.
- Research space will be available weekdays (M-F, 8-5). Weekday evenings may be possible with special permission (M-Th). Research space will not be available during weekends.
- Investigators will allow a brief description of the study to be posted on the Thompson Center website.
Research Requests
To request research resources, please submit an Application for Thompson Center Research Resources to Mary Clark, Research Coordinator, Thompson Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders. This may be sent by email (clarkmj@health.missouri.edu) or through the campus mail (300 Portland Street, Suite 110).

