Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

 

Committee Members

• Jason Hurlbert, Chair, College of Arts and Sciences
• Victoria Frost, College of Arts and Sciences
• Melody Kearse, Non-Affiliated Representative
• Nicole Matala, Non-Affiliated Representative
• Steve Moseley, Winthrop University Environmental Safety Officer, Ex-Officio Member
• Kristin Smith, Director, Grants and Sponsored Research Development, Ex-Officio Member

 

Meeting Schedule and Submission Deadlines

Fall 2024
October 24, 2024 (Declaration Forms due by October 17)

Spring 2025

February 3, 2025 (Declaration Forms due by January 29)
May 7, 2025 (Declaration Forms due by April 30)

 

How to Request IBC Review

To request review of your proposed research project by the IBC, complete the Biohazardous Materials Declaration form or the Exempt Protocol Request form and other documents as related to your research. The signed and approved PDF of the protocol, including all attachments, must be submitted to Michele Smith, Grants and Sponsored Research Development, by the submission deadlines published above in order to be considered at that meeting. Protocols received after the submission deadline will be reviewed at the next scheduled meeting.  Additional forms that may need to be completed:

• BSL1 Checklist
• BSL2 Checklist

 

CITI Training

All members of the research team, including the primary investigator, co-researchers, research assistants, and/or faculty advisors must complete CITI Biosafety / Biosecurity training before submitting a protocol for IBC review.

Required Training Course: Basic Biosafety Training
CITI Training Site [Instructions for CITI Training Site]

 

Policies and Guidelines

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Policy and Procedures (PDF - 282 KB)

 

Mission Statement

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) oversees the safety of research and classroom projects involving recombinant DNA or other biohazardous materials. The IBC sets containment levels in accordance with National Institutes of Health Guidelines and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The IBC periodically reviews previously approved research projects for changes which would necessitate increasing or decreasing the containment levels.

Specifically, the IBC evaluates research projects that use recombinant DNA or other biohazardous materials. The IBC coordinates its reviews with University departmental laboratory safety committees and Safety Officers in order to ensure research personnel have adequate occupational health monitoring and training on safe work practices, exposure control emergencies, and the use of protective equipment.

 

Helpful Links

American Biological Safety Association (ABSA) Risk Group Classification for Infectious Agents
NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines)
Investigator Responsibilities Under the NIH Guidelines
Select Agent Rule
World Health Organization - Laboratory BioSafety Manual