Institutional Review Board
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an independent regulatory body established to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects recruited to participate in research activities. The Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University IRB reviews research involving the use of human subjects at our school and at other designated institutions and private practices. In addition to the school's sites, services are available for sites such as Sentara, CHKD, Bon Secours, other medical facilities and private practices.
The IRB is charged with the responsibility of reviewing all research that involves human subjects. An IRB has the responsibility of protecting the welfare, rights, and privacy of human subjects. Under federal regulations, an IRB has the authority to approve, disapprove, monitor, and require modifications in all research activities that fall within its jurisdiction as specified by both the federal regulations and institutional policy.
The medical school currently has two internal Institutional Review Boards that oversee both biomedical and social behavioral research. Meetings take place on the 1st Thursday and 3rd Tuesday of each month. Protocols requiring Board review are assigned to meetings on a first come, first served basis after the submission is verified as complete by the Research Subjects’ Protections office.
In addition, a sub-committee of each IRB holds meetings on the same dates to review certain exempt and expedited studies. Requests for Not Research and Not Human Subject Research determinations are made by the IRB staff who may consult with IRB members as needed.
Human Subjects' Protections Program
The Human Subjects' Protections Program oversees all aspects of human subject protection at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, including administrative support of the Institutional Review Boards.
Many of the school's Human Subjects' Protections Program staff are Certified IRB Professionals. Certification is overseen by a national leader in research ethics, Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research. Staff members also have varying backgrounds, including pharmaceutical regulatory management, post-graduate degree in science, graduate degree in public health, administration of a research unit in clinical practice, experience serving at a commercial IRB, and together have well over 40 years of direct IRB experience.
Presentations
The Human Subjects' Protections Program offers presentations on many topics to help investigators and research team members understand the IRB process and requirements. If you are interested in having a presentation made to your department or group please contact the IRB office at (757) 446-8423.
Research Training
We requires basic CITI training by investigators and research team members prior to starting any human subject research project. If a course has been completed through an institution other than Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University please send the detailed completion report(s) to the IRB email for consideration.