UH IBC

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Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

Purpose and Responsibilities

The IBC is responsible for reviewing ALL research, clinical, and instructional-use activities involving biological materials, blood borne pathogens, recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, biological derived toxins (toxins), dual use research of concern (DURC), select agents, human gene transfer projects, stem cell research, nanotechnology, and other materials. The IBC evaluates biosafety registrations (protocols) for appropriateness of the activities, determines necessity of the work through scientific justification, and assesses the impact on the safety of personnel conducting the research, public safety, and effects on the environment.environment.

The IBC is required to comply with NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) administered by the NIH-Office of Science Technology Policy (OSTP). As a condition for NIH funding of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecule research, institutions must ensure that such research conducted at or sponsored by the institution, irrespective of funding, shall comply with NIH Guidelines. Failure to comply risks suspension, limitation, or termination of financial assistance of NIH projects or all NIH funding for recombinant DNA research projects (NIH Guidelines, section I-D).

The UH IBC ensures compliance with the State of Hawai‘i requirements, which include the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture importation regulations, as well as Federal Import and Export requirements for biological materials.

In addition to project review and ensuring compliance with regulatory agencies, the IBC develops institutional policies and procedures to ensure proper biosafety and biosecurity throughout the UH System.

A respondent has the opportunity to review and to ask for reconsideration and/or reinstatement following decisions made by the IBC. The respondent may also object to an individual’s involvement in either the evaluation or resolution of the matter if the respondent has a clear and justifiable reason to believe that said individual or subject matter expert has a conflict of interest or bias. The IBC and/or the IO will evaluate these concerns and attempt to address them.

Direct any questions or concerns regarding IBC decisions to the committee via uhibc@hawaii.edu

Composition of University of Hawai‘i Institutional Biosafety Committee

The University of Hawaiʻi’s IBC is comprised of volunteer faculty and staff represented from its campuses and community colleges.  The University of Hawaiʻi IBC is also represented by volunteer members from local government and community members unaffiliated to the University that express an interest in ensuring the research, testing, and instruction is conducted safely, compliant with regulations, and utilizes the best biosafety practices.

All members are appointed by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation serving a three-year term.  The three-year term is subject to re-appointment upon satisfactory contribution to the University’s mission of ensuring the safety of personnel conducting the research, testing, and instruction.  The IBC members are genuinely concerned with the welfare of public safety and the effects on the Hawaiʻi environment.

Pursuant to section IV-B-2-a, NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant Molecules, the IBC membership roster consists of the following representation below.

Member Composition

Member Designation Area of Expertise Number of Members
University Scientist Animal Medicine 2
University Scientist Infectious Disease 2
University Scientist Plant Pathology 1
University Scientist Plant Scientist 1
University Scientist Gene Drive Technologies 1
University Scientist Microbiology 2
University Scientist Biochemistry 2
University Scientist Immunology 1
University Scientist Marine Biology Scientist 2
Non-Affiliated Member Animal Medicine 1
Non-Affiliated Member Biology/Ecology 1
Non-Affiliated Member Biosafety Professional
3
Non-Affiliated Member
Infectious Disease
2
Institutional Member Animal Care Supervisor 1
Institutional Member Technical Staff
1
Institutional Member Biosafety Officer 1
Institutional Member 1 Office of Research Compliance Director
1
Institutional Member 2
Biosafety Program Manager 1
1 Ex-officio, Non-Voting, Office of Research Compliance Director
2 Ex-officio, Non-Voting, Biosafety Program Manager
3 Ad Hoc, Non-Voting, Human Gene Transfer and Cancer Biology Researcher

Institutional Biosafety Committee Officers

IBC Chairman
Eric Ako, DVM
Veterinary Practitioner

IBC Vice Chairman
Brandon Yoza, PhD
Assistant Researcher

Administration and Research Support

Responsible Official
Victoria G. Rivera, MPH
Assistant Vice President for Research Administration and Compliance

Program Manager
Diana Talerico Blanco, MS, LVT, LATG, CMAR
University of Hawaiʻi, Office of Research Compliance

Biosafety Officer
Yuichiro Tanaka, PhD
Biosafety Professional, Office of Research Compliance

Acting IBC Coordinator
Stephen E. Case, MSPH

Training Coordinator
Stephen E. Case, MSPH
Biosafety Professional, Office of Research Compliance