Research Resources

Committees

Committees made up of faculty members and administrators, and in some cases community members, oversee research activities at The University of Texas at Austin.

Look up addresses and phone numbers for committee members in the university's directory.

Advisory Committees

• Advisory Committee on Classified Research
• Advisory Committee on Human Subjects Research
• Research Safety Advisory Committee

Committees on Research Subjects

• Institutional Biosafety Committee
• Institutional Review Board

Committees on Conflict of Interest and Objectivity

• Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee
• Committee on Objectivity in Research

Safety Committees

• Radiation Safety Committee
• Rapid Response Team

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Advisory Committee on Classified Research

Committee Charge

The Advisory Committee on Classified Research is appointed by the Vice President for Research under the provisions of the Handbook of Operating Procedures, Section 5.09. The committee is charged with (1) reviewing the classified research program for conformance with university policy and advising the President accordingly; (2) considering issues relative to the university’s policy regarding classified research and recommending changes in policy as necessary; and (3) reviewing procedures relative to classified research programs and considering infrastructure needs and administrative issues. The committee meets at least annually and is required to submit a report to the President annually on its findings relative to university policies on classified research and any recommendations for changes in those policies.

Clark S. Penrod, Ph.D., Chair, Director, Applied Research Laboratories

• David A. Brant, Ph.D., Center for Agile Technology
• John Ekerdt, Ph.D., Assoc. Dean for Research, Cockrell School of Engineering
• Harry Fair, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Advanced Technology
• Austin Gleeson, Ph.D., Department of Physics
• Robert Hebner, Ph.D., Director, Center for Electromechanics
• Patricia C. Ohlendorf, J.D., Vice President for Administration and Legal Affairs
• Peter Riley, Ph.D., Assoc. Dean for Research and Facilities, College of Natural Sciences
• Susan Sedwick, Ph.D., Assoc. Vice President and Director, Office of Sponsored Projects
• Juan M. Sanchez, Ph.D., ex-officio, Vice President for Research

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Advisory Committee on Human Subjects Research

Committee Charge

The Committee is charged with (1) Deciding how best to continue to educate the University in areas of research rules and regulations, to include not only areas that have already been addressed, but also new areas that need to be taught (i.e., conflict of interest and HIPAA), (2) Providing input on decisions regarding procedures for the new electronic submission of IRB applications and proposals (NIH grants), (3) Examining Continuing Reviews and how to improve the quality of information received and the reports provided to the IRB, (4) Addressing the use of a primary reviewer system within the IRB, (5) Reviewing the draft policies and procedures manual, (6) Reviewing the new pilot application now being used on a trial basis in the departments of Kinesiology, Nursing, and Psychology, and (7) Providing an additional structure to aid UT as it moves towards accreditation.

Mark Hayward, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Sociology

• Sharon Brown, Ph.D., School of Nursing
• Edward T. Emmer, Ph.D., Department of Educational Psychology
• Samuel D. Gosling, Ph.D., Department of Psychology
• Laura Lein, Ph.D., Center for Social Work Research
• Tracy Levins-Canning, Ph.D., Community Member
• Bill Sage, J.D., Executive Vice President and Provost
• James P. Wilson, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy

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Committee on Objectivity in Research

Committee Charge

The Committee on Objectivity in Research will take such actions as are necessary to insure that reported Significant Financial Interests will be managed, reduced, or eliminated. The Committee on Objectivity in Research is responsible to the Vice President for Research. The Committee is chaired by the Associate Vice President for Research. Other committee members are to include the Director of the Office of Sponsored Projects, the Chair of the General Faculty Standing Committee on Research, the Associate Deans for Research in the Cockrell School of Engineering and the College of Natural Sciences, and the Associate Vice President for Administration and Legal Affairs.

At a minimum, the Committee will determine whether a Significant Financial Interest could affect the design, conduct, or reporting of the research activities funded or proposed for such funding, and determine what conditions or restrictions, if any, should be imposed to manage such interests. Any conditions or restrictions to resolve or manage conflicts of interest must be determined and implemented before the expenditure of any funds awarded under a grant or contract. Examples of conditions or restrictions that may be imposed to manage actual or potential conflicts of interest include:

1. public disclosures of Significant Financial Interests,
2. monitoring of the research by independent reviewers,
3. modification of the research plan,
4. disqualification from participation in all or a portion of the research project in question.

Robert A. Peterson, Chair, Associate Vice President for Research

• Randall J. Charbeneau, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research, Cockrell School of Engineering
• Benny D. Freeman, Ph.D., Department of Chemical Engineering
• Rick Friedman, J.D., Assistant Director, Office of Technology Commercialization
• Rueben Gonzales, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy
• John Kappelman, Ph.D., College of Liberal Arts
• Mary Kameen, EDD., Senior Associate Dean, College of Education
• Peter J. Riley, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research, College of Natural Sciences
• Susan Sedwick, Ph.D. Associate VP & Director, Office of Sponsored Projects
• Lee S. Smith, J.D., Associate Vice President for Legal Affairs

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Institutional Biosafety Committee

Committee Charge

The Committee is charged with reviewing proposed research involving recombinant DNA or biohazards. One of the most important functions of the IBC is to assess that facilities, procedures, practices, and training of research personnel are in compliance with the requirements of NIH guidelines. These functions can be adequately achieved only if the Committee has sufficient expertise in environmental health, safety, and engineering policies and procedures.

Alan Lloyd, Ph.D., Chair, Section of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology

• Maria Croyle, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy
• Ann Harasimowitz, B.S., Associate Director, College of Natural Sciences
• Patricia Levin, Research Support Office
• Paul Macdonald, Ph.D., College of Natural Sciences
      Alternate: David Stein, Ph.D., College of Natural Sciences
• Thomas O. McGarity, J.D., School of Law
• Dennis Nolan, Asst. M.P.H., Office of Environmental Health & Safety and Institutional Biosafety Officer
      Alternate: Rachel A. LeBansky, Office of Environmental Health & Safety
• Glen Otto, DVM, Director, Animal Resource Center
• Janet Pichette, M.S., Staff Toxicologist/Epidemiologist, Office of the Health Authority
• Jon D. Robertus, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
• Wesley Thompson, Ph.D., College of Natural Sciences
• Emin Ulag, Ph.D., College of Natural Sciences
• Christian Whitman, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy
• Susan Sedwick, Ph.D., ex-officio, Associate VP & Director, Office of Sponsored Projects

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Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee

Committee Charge

The Institutional Conflict of Interest Committee is appointed by the Vice President for Research in accordance with the Handbook of Operating Procedures, Policy Number 11.B.2. The Committee’s charge is to (1) monitor the institutional conflict of interest process, (2) ensure that university officials are in compliance with the disclosure obligations of policy, and (3) review and propose to the Vice President for Research modifications to the plans for managing institutional conflicts of interest. The Committee meets as required but at least annually.

• Susan Bradshaw, J.D., Associate Vice President for Legal Affairs
• Nancy McCowen, Staff Liaison, Assistant Vice President for Research
• Steve Nichols, Ph.D., J.D., Department of Mechanical Engineering
• John Robertson, J.D., School of Law

Institutional Review Board

Committee Charge

The IRB is appointed annually by the Vice President for Research and has as its charge to review and approve all research involving human subjects performed by faculty/researchers and/or students of the University. In accordance with DHHS regulations delineated at 45 CFR 46.108(b), the primary mandate of the IRB is to protect the rights and welfare of humans who are the subjects of research. A system of review, approval, and oversight of human subject research by the IRB is based on the ethical principles expressed in the report of the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, entitled The Belmont Report. Initial and continuing reviews of research must be conducted by the IRB at convened meetings at which a majority of the members of the IRB are present, including at least one member whose primary concerns are in nonscientific areas, except where expedited review is appropriate.

Jody Jensen, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Kinesiology & Health Education

• Monte Kenaston, College of Pharmacy, Student Representative
• David Schnyer, Ph.D., Department of Psychology
• John Hogg, M.D., Austin Radiological Association
• Regina Johnson, DR.P.H., School of Nursing
• Donna (Lynn) Rew, ED.D., School of Nursing
• Alexandra Loukas, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology & Health Education
      Alternate: Hiro Tanaka, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology & Health Education
      Alternate: Kim Fromme, Ph.D., Department of Psychology
• Tracy Levins-Canning, Ph.D., Community member
      Alternate: Sherri Hammack, Community member
• Nancy Roser, Ed.D., Department of Curriculum and Instruction
• Stephanie Rude, Ph.D., Department of Educational Psychology
• Katherine Sanchez, LMSW-ACP, School of Social Work
• Jeremiah Spence, Student Alternate, College of Communication
• Sanna Thompson, Ph.D., School of Social Work
      Alternate: Jane Maxwell, Ph.D., Center for Social Work Research
      Alternate: Yolanda Padilla, Ph.D., School of Social Work
• Maria Wade, Ph.D., Department of Anthropology
• Jim Wilson, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy
      Alternate: Tawny Bettinger, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy
• Kim Vernon, Non-Scientist Community Member
• Darreen Mareiniss, MD, JD, MBE, Community Member
• John Bartholowew, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology & Health Education
• Susan Bradshaw, J.D., Vice President for Institutional Relations & Legal Affairs, Non-Voting
• Scott Pennington, MS, MSM, CHP, REM, CHMM, Environmental Health & Safety, Non-Voting
• Tracy Tipping, Environmental Health & Safety, Non-Voting Alternate
• Susan Sedwick, Ph.D., ex-officio, Associate VP & Director, Office of Sponsored Projects

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Radiation Safety Committee

Committee Charge

The Radiation Safety Committee reports to the President and has the broad responsibility for policies and practices regarding the license, purchase, shipment, use, monitoring, disposal and transfer of radioisotopes or source of ionizing radiation at The University of Texas at Austin. The Committee will meet at least once each regular semester on a called basis, or as required, to formally approve applications to use radioactive material. Four members shall constitute a quorum.

The Committee shall be consulted by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety concerning any unusual or exceptional action that affects the administration of the Radiation Safety Program.

Gerald W. Hoffmann, Ph.D., Chair,Department of Physics
Juan M. Sanchez, Ph.D., Vice Chair,Vice President for Research

• Neal Armstrong, Ph.D., Vice Provost
• Gerald R. Harkins, ex-officio, Associate Vice President, Campus Safety and Security
• Donna J. O’Kelly, Ph.D., Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory
• W. Scott Pennington, ex-officio, Office of Environmental Health & Safety
• Jon D. Robertus, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
• Bob G. Sanders, Ph.D., School of Biological Sciences

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Rapid Response Team

Committee Charge

1. Coordinate the implementation of Standard Operation Procedures for handling research-related laboratory incidents,
2. Develop a process to promptly report laboratory incidents to the appropriate Federal, State and Local agencies,
3. Develop a communication plan to convey all relevant information to the appropriate administrative levels in a timely manner, and
4. Establish appropriate communication channels with the Campus Security Committee.

• Gerald R. Harkins, Assoc. Vice President, Campus Safety & Security
• Dennis Nolan, Asst. M.P.H., Office of Environmental Health & Safety and Institutional Biosafety Officer
• Rhonda R. Weldon, Director, VPECS-Communication Department

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Research Safety Advisory Committee

Committee Charge

The Committee is charged to act in an advisory and consultative capacity regarding the administration, implementation and coordination of policies and procedures for safety and environmental health in University research activities. The functions of this committee complement but do not overlap the responsibilities of the Institutional Biosafety Committee and the Radiation Safety Committee. Areas of consideration include regulatory compliance, training, inspections, hazardous materials management, waste minimization, emergency response, signage, and biological safety.

Arumugam Manthiram, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering

• Philip C. Bennett, Ph.D., Department of Geological Sciences
• Jennifer S. Brodbelt, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
• Kevin Dalby, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy
• Alejandro De Lozanne, Ph.D., Department of Physics
• Karl H. Frank, Ph.D., Department of Civil Engineering
• Bob Harkins, Parking and Transportation
• Desmond F. Lawler, Ph.D., Departmental of Civil Engineering
• Rachel A. Lebansky, Office of Environmental Health & Safety
• Dean P. Neikirk, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
• Paul J. Szaniszlo, Ph.D., School of Biological Sciences
• Abraham Ybarra, Interim Director, Office of Environmental Health and Safety>

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