University Standing Committees and Task Forces

Duties

Review medically related research proposals, projects, and activities that involve human subjects; determine for each activity or proposed activity if human subjects will be placed at risk; if risk is involved, determine if the importance of the knowledge to be gained warrants allowing the subject to  accept the risks; oversee protection of rights and welfare of subjects; function in accordance with accepted institutional commitments and regulations, applicable laws, standards of professional conduct and practice, and community attitudes.

Composition

The Medical IRB shall consist of at least five members, with varying backgrounds to promote complete and adequate review of research activities commonly conducted by the university.  The membership shall include at least one member who has no other association with The University of Alabama, at least one member whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas and a Faculty Senate representative.   Members of the board are appointed by the Vice-President for Research.  Appointments are made for three-year alternative periods, and reappointments can be made. In addition, an attorney from the Office of Counsel shall serve as liaison member.

Conditions

Appointments to the Institutional Review Board for Protection of Human Subjects (IRB) #2 Medical are subject to approval by the Director of the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Policies and procedures of the IRB must conform to regulations of all applicable agencies.

Reporting Channel

Dr. Joe Benson, Interim Vice President for Research

Membership (subject to DHHS approval)

John Higginbotham, Chairperson, Assoc Dean for Research & Health Policy, CCHS
Karen Burgess, Prof, CCHS, Dept. of Pediatrics
William Owings, Prof, CCHS, Dept. of Family Medicine
Karen Salekin, Research Coord, Psychology
Jan Chaisson, Dir, UMC Medical Record
Phillip Bishop, Prof, Exercise Science, Dept. of Kinesiology
Carpantato Myles, Research Compliance Officer, Office for Research
Tom Stem, Research Compliance Officer, Office for Research
Olivia Kendrick, Assoc Dean, CHES

Community Members

Bishop Earnest L. Palmer, Cornerstone Full Gospel Baptist Church

Faculty Senate Representative

Lisa Scherff

Non-Voting Liaison Members
Mike Spearing, Office of Counsel
Sharol Jacobson, Office of Research
Melanie Tucker, Research Assoc, CCHS

Non-Medical Institutional Review Board for Protection of Human Subjects

Duties

Review non-medical related research proposals, projects, and activities that involve human subjects; determine for each activity or proposed activity if human subjects will be placed at risk; if risk is involved, determine if the importance of the knowledge to be gained warrants allowing the subject to accept the risks; oversee protection of rights and welfare of subjects; function in accordance with accepted institutional commitments and regulations, applicable laws, standards of professional conduct and practice, and community attitudes.

Composition

The Non-Medical IRB shall consist of at least five members with varying backgrounds to promote complete and adequate review of research activities commonly conducted by the University. The membership shall include at least one member who has no other association with The University of Alabama, at least one member whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas, and a Faculty Senate representative. The Associate Vice President for Research shall have administrative oversight of the IRB and shall be a resource to the Board.  Members of the board are appointed by the Vice President for Research.  Appointments are made for three-year alternative periods, and reappointments can be made. In addition, an attorney from the Office of Counsel shall serve as the liaison member.

Conditions

Appointments to the Non-Medical Institutional Review Board for Protection of Human Subjects (IRB) are subject to approval by the Federal Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Policies and procedures of the IRB must conform to regulations all applicable agencies.

Reporting Channel

Dr. Joe Benson, Interim Vice President for Research

Membership (subject to DHHS approval) (voting):

Stuart Usdan, Chairperson, Assoc Prof, Health Sciences, HES, 2010
Tom Stem, Dir, Research and Consulting Lab, A&S
Lucinda Roff, Prof, School of Social Work, 2009
Judy Giesen, Assoc Research Ed Psych, College of Education, 2009
Edward Merrill, Assoc Prof, Psych, College of Arts and Sciences, 2010
Donald Keith, A&S (Prisoner Representative), 2010
Tanta Myles, Research Compliance Officer, Research
James Leeper, Prof, Community and Rural Medicine, 2009
Felecia Wood, Assist Prof, School of Nursing, 2010
Patrick Cotter, Assoc Prof, Pol Sci, 2010
K. Michele Kacmar, Durr-Fillauer Chair of Business Ethics and Prof., 2010

Community Member (voting)

Valeria Rudolph-Rivers, 2010

Faculty Senate Representative (voting)

Linda Enders

Non-Voting Liaison Members

Mike Spearing, Office of Counsel
Sharol Jacobson, Prof Emeritus, Nursing and IRB Accreditation Comm, Office for Research