Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is responsible for overseeing research and teaching activities that involve biological materials to ensure they are conducted safely, responsibly, and in compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines.
The IBC reviews research involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, infectious agents, human or animal-derived materials, biological toxins, and other potentially hazardous biological substances. The committee evaluates proposed projects to ensure appropriate containment measures, laboratory practices, training, and risk mitigation strategies are in place to protect researchers, the campus community, public health, and the environment.
Responsibilities of the IBC
The Institutional Biosafety Committee:
-
Reviews and approves research protocols involving biohazardous materials
-
Assesses risk levels and recommends appropriate biosafety containment practices
-
Ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and guidelines
-
Promotes safe laboratory practices through oversight and policy development
-
Serves as an advisory resource to investigators and university leadership on biosafety matters
The IBC operates in accordance with applicable regulatory frameworks and meets regularly to review new submissions, amendments, and ongoing research activities.
Committee Membership
The Institutional Biosafety Committee is composed of faculty, research staff, biosafety professionals, and community representatives with expertise in relevant scientific and safety disciplines.
Check back on this page soon for a current list of committee members and their roles!