Research Safety
Research Safety Committee
The Research Safety Committee, chaired by the assistant vice president for Research and Federal Relations, ensures the safety of Texas State faculty, staff, and students involved research and compliance with university, state, and federal policies and mandates. The Research Safety Committee coordinates the work of the Institutional Review Board, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Institutional Biosafety Committee, and Laboratory Safety Committee; discusses research safety issues; examines policies and procedures related to research protocol; and advises the University Safety Committee on research safety.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) protects the rights and welfare of human research subjects involved in studies conducted or supported by Texas State. IRB formally reviews, approves, and monitors research conducted or supported by Texas State faculty, students or staff in order to determine that the rights and welfare of the human subjects are adequately protected [Institutional Review Board. The IRB provides three categories of review (exempt, expedited, and full board) and requires separate process for each [IRB Review Process, 5].
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) ensures the conduct of quality animal research in an ethical and responsible manner by overseeing the provisions for the care and well-being of animals used for research and educational purposes [Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The IACUC oversees a formal review process for evaluating the scientific elements proposed in animal study protocols as they relate to the welfare and use of vertebrate animals in research and teaching and grants. Researchers may begin animal work after formal IACUC approval has been granted.
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) [Institutional Biosafety Committee provides local review and oversight of research involving biological materials (e.g., infectious agents) and other potentially hazardous agents (e.g., carcinogens). The IBC reviews and approves studies using any amount of rDNA and biohazardous materials. Faculty are required to submit protocols for review and approval prior to initiating their project [Biosafety Application for Review of Proposed Research.
Laboratory Safety Committee promotes the safety of faculty, staff, and students in teaching and research laboratories and the adherence to applicable institutional, state and federal policies and regulatory requirements. The Laboratory Safety Committee specifically attends to safety issues involving radioactive materials, lasers, and chemicals. [Laboratory Safety Committee]
Contact:
Research Safety Committee Roster
- Dr. Michael Blanda, Chair of the Research Safety Committee and Assistant Vice President for Research and Federal Relations
- Dr. Denise Gobert, Chair of the Institutional Review Board (IRB)
- Ms. Monica Gonzales, IRB Specialist
- Dr. Michael (Clay) Green, Chair of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
- Ms. Maria Reaves, IACUC Specialist and Manager of the Comparative Research Facility
- Dr. Bob Mclean, Chair of the Institutional Biosafety Committee
- Mr. Sean Rubin, Director of Research Integrity and Compliance
- Dr. Joel Bergh, Chair of the Laboratory Safety Committee
- Dr. Casey Smith, Vice Chair of the Laboratory Safety Committee
Function:
The Research Safety Committee focuses on safety and risk management. The committee addresses concerns raised by coordinated committees, reviews policies and procedures and advises the University Safety Committee on its areas of responsibility.