IRB meeting draws interest from across the Midwest

Institutional Review Board (IRB) officials and administrators from across the Midwest Region gathered at UNMC earlier this month for a conference sponsored by the Great Plains IDeA-CTR and hosted by the UNMC IRB.

The 9th annual “Hot Topics in the Protection of Human Subjects Research” event drew more than 150 attendees and offered participants a chance to hear from leading IRB professionals in the private sector, the University of Nebraska system, and other premier institutions.

The day opened with Chris Kratochvil, M.D., assistant vice chancellor for clinical research at UNMC, and featured presentations from:

• Megan Singleton, J.D., assistant dean for the human research protection program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, who spoke on “21st Century Cures Act”;
• Michele Russell-Einhorn, J.D., chief compliance officer and institutional official for Advarra, who spoke on “The Changing Landscape of Research Consent”;
• Stancia Jenkins, associate to the president/assistant vice president for diversity, access and inclusion for the University of Nebraska system, who spoke on “Seeking to Do No Harm: Cultural Competence and Humility in Research”;
• Lisa Sample, Ph.D., Reynolds Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, who spoke on “Research Using Criminal Samples: Fun and Folly”;
• A panel discussion on “Community Members: Who They Are, What Do They Want and How Can We Empower and Retain Them?”; and
• Dan Hoyt, Ph.D., professor of sociology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Rachel Wenzl, IRB manager at UNL, who spoke on “Intersection of Biomedical and Social, Behavioral and Educational Research: How One HRPP Adapts.”

“Investigators and IRBs are facing complex changes in the regulatory landscape related to human subjects protections,” Singleton said.

“Educational opportunities such as this conference are critical to ensure investigators and IRBs feel well-equipped to address these changes.”

UNMC organizers noted the importance of learning opportunities that make space not only for bringing in leading thinkers, but also for sharing best practices amongst attendees and making connections with people who are in related fields.

“This annual conference presents a great opportunity to have IRB professionals gather from around the region to network and hear about cutting-edge challenges and potential solutions,” said Bruce Gordon, M.D., UNMC assistant vice chancellor for regulatory affairs.

Dr. Gordon said the organizers wished to recognize individuals who went above and beyond to make this event a success.

“The IRB would like to thank Candace Peteler, Tara Witte, Sam Vasta, and Max Kuenstling for their partnership and excellent work,” he said.

The event was sponsored by the Great Plains IDeA-CTR, UNMC, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Creighton University, Methodist Hospital, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, and Clarkson College.