The Health Sciences (HS) IRB will continue to review all more than minimal risk biomedical research, including clinical trials, clinical research, and FDA-regulated research. All VA studies, regardless of risk will be reviewed by the HS IRB.

HS IRB Meeting Capacity

Beginning in May, the HS IRB committee will increase the number of meetings from 4 to 6 meetings a month and create smaller, cohesive panels of members attending one of the 6-monthly meetings. Each of the 6 panels will be supported by an IRB Administrator and led by the HS IRB Chair or one of 4 new Vice Chairs.

HS IRB Leadership Changes

Starting in April, Michael Peterson, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, will be stepping down from his role as HS IRB Chair. Peter Rahko, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, who has chaired the MR IRB for 17 years, will assume the role of HS IRB Chair.

Additionally, the HS IRB will have 4 new vice chairs:

  • Donna Blankenbaker, Professor, Department of Radiology
  • Sameer Mathur, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Allergy and Immunology
  • Rowan Karaman, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Endocrinology, CRU Medical Director and Research Subject Advocate
  • Michelle Ciucci, Associate Professor, Communication Sciences & Disorders and Department of Surgery, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery