Investigator Responsibilities during COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear Members of the VCU Research Community, As we respond to the rising number of local COVID-19 cases, the HRPP is reissuing the following guidance: 1. Continue to work with your Department Chairs, Deans, Building Managers, Human Resource Representatives, and the facility where your research takes place regarding the study’s approvals and permissions for building […]
FREE CEU: Free Workshop on Assent with Individuals with Communication Difficulties
The VCU HRPP Would like to notify the research community about a free workshop offering CEUs on the topic of assent with individuals with communication difficulties. The workshop is being held on Wednesday, June 29 at 3pm ET. Toward an Understanding of Assent with Individuals with Communication Difficulties. Presenter: Cody Morris, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA Seeking […]
Reminder: Researchers Separating From VCU Must Close or Amend Studies Prior to Separation
IRB Requirements for Separating PIs A Principal Investigator (PI) who is leaving the institution and who no longer meets the PI eligibility requirements may not continue to serve as Principal Investigator on research conducted under the VCU IRB approval. When a PI is planning to separate from VCU, they must address any studies they have […]
New NIH Guidance on Informed Consent for Secondary Research with Data and Biospecimens
The VCU HRPP would like to draw the research community’s attention to a new resource made available by the NIH, on the topic of informed consent considerations for secondary research with data and specimens. This resource addresses only consent for the storage and sharing of data and biospecimens collected during a primary research protocol, for […]
*High Importance* – Human Subject Research Impacted by Iodine-based IV Contrast Shortage at VCUHS
Dear Members of the VCU Research Community, The Virginia Commonwealth University Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) is aware of the iodine-based IV contrast shortage at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (VCUHS) due to supply chain issues related to COVID-19. The potential impact on human subjects research may require submission of a protocol amendment to adjust […]
IRB Chair Perspectives: The Importance of the Independence of IRBs
Dr. Ron Evans is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences and currently serves as Chair of the VCU IRB Social Behavioral/Biomedical panel. Dr. Evans has been a faculty member at VCU since 2003 and an IRB member since 2005. In this article, Dr. Evans reflects on the importance of the IRB […]
HRPP Director Perspectives: The Importance of the Independence of IRBs
Dr. Sanjur “Sandy” Brooks, DPS, MA, is the Director of the VCU Human Research Protection Program. In this article, she reflects on the importance of the IRB operating independently, free from undue influence or inducement. There is an inherent conflict and dichotomy in facilitating human subject research that is not always recognized by those of […]
Research Dean Perspectives: The Importance of the Independence of IRBs
Dr. Michael Donnenberg is the Senior Associate Dean for Research and Research Training and Professor of Internal Medicine and of Microbiology and Immunology in the VCU School of Medicine. In this article, he shares his thoughts on the topic of ethics and integrity, with an emphasis on the importance of the independent operation of the […]
Integrity and Ethics, Community Engagement, and the VCU HRPP
As part of the VCU Human Research Protection Program’s (HRPP) commitment to continual improvement, we generate metrics to evaluate how well our program complies with regulations, engages the community, and upholds VCU’s core values. View the infographic below to learn more about some facts and figures behind the VCU HRPP! Alt text for the infographic […]
HRPP Sending Two Staff Members to Present at National Conference in May 2022
Two members of the VCU HRPP are presenting at the upcoming Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) conference, being held in Denver, CO from May 24-26, 2022! Elicia Preslan, MS, CIP Elicia will be presenting a session titled “Balancing Inclusion with Protection: Assessment of Capacity to Consent” Session Abstract: The strategies […]
Navigating RAMS-IRB to Save a Backup of the RAMS-IRB SmartForm/Protocol
This RAMS Gif Guide is intended for researchers and research teams using the RAMS-IRB system to manage IRB submissions. This guide will walk users through the process of saving a PDF version of the RAMS-IRB SmartForm/Protocol. Investigators and study teams are encouraged to regularly download a copy of the RAMS-IRB SmartForm/Protocol for each of their […]