The latest news from Rutgers IRB

HSPP/IRB Bulletin

May 5, 2021

Hot Off the Press

We have exciting news! Our HSPP Toolkit on the Rutgers Research website has been redesigned to improve our digital footprint and user experience. As part of the process, we are still adding content and links.

If you need any help with accessing documents, contact Donna Hoagland or Michelle Watkinson.

IRB Member Spotlight

Interested in being featured in an upcoming issue of this bulletin?

Contact Donna Hoagland.

HSPP Staff Spotlight

Barbara LoDico, CIP

"I recently joined the HSPP as a Senior Quality Assurance Analyst. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Providence College, attended Johnson & Wales University and matriculated in a master’s program in legal and regulatory studies at Montclair State University. I hold the Certified IRB Professional (CIP) credential. I have spent more than 30 years of working in research protections, sponsored programs and research ethics, having worked for the Department of Defense, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and Rhode Island Hospital, as well as a federal contractor and consultant. I was a lead site reviewer for the National Council for Quality Assurance (NCQA) at VA sites seeking accreditation in human research protections. In 2020, I began serving as a PRIM&R mentor. After trying retirement, it is great to be back in a university setting working with many of you again."

Michelle Watkinson, CIP

"I began a new role as the Training and Communications Manager within the Rutgers HSPP earlier this year. I have been with Rutgers since August 2007. Prior to joining Rutgers, I was a Program Assistant in the Institutional Review Board at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Brunswick campus for three years, where my work included providing guidance on federal regulations and ethical issues related to the conduct of biomedical research. Before joining Rutgers, I spent five years working on several grant-funded social-behavioral research projects at the University of Hartford and UCONN Medical School (Family Medicine Research Division & Community Medicine and Health Care). I have published several articles, as well as spoken extensively on issues pertaining to biomedical and behavioral research and human subjects’ protection. I did my graduate work at the University of Hartford and received a B.A. from Montclair State University. I am looking forward to providing educational sessions and trainings. I can be reached at: michelle.watkinson@research.rutgers.edu."

Donna Hoagland

"I am excited to announce that I began a new role leading the Pre-Review team within the Rutgers HSPP. As part of the Pre-Review team, I will continue to provide guidance and Human Subject Protection expertise to help facilitate and expedite protocols through the IRB process to better serve our investigators and the Rutgers research community.

The Pre-Review Team, which was created at the beginning of the pandemic to review new COVID studies, has been very successful and is being expanded to include the following:

pre-review of any new submission including modifications to previously approved research;
consultations for studies that have been tabled by the full board at the request of the committee; and
guidance and consultations for complex new studies.

We hope to continue to grow and expand the program to serve as a model to ensure the highest quality of ethical scientific research. I can be reached at donna.hoagland@rutgers.edu."

AAHRPP Accreditation Updates

The IRB office is currently revising the worksheet and checklist as toolkits for the AAHRPP accreditation application process. The finalized documents will be released to the staff and committee members upon implementation to utilize as part of the day-to-day IRB operations and reviews. Details will follow in the upcoming bulletins. For more information, contact the IRB office.

If you have questions or comments about new policies, procedures or documents, contact Swapnali Chaudhari or Malica Dock.