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RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (RDC)

The Research and Development Committee (RDC) is responsible for ensuring the effective operation of the research program and making appropriate recommendations to the Medical Center Director based on the Committee's oversight and evaluation of the research program. To the extent permitted by VHA Directive 1200.01 and local policy, decisions concerning research matters will be made by the R&D Committee. The Committee advises the Medical Center Director on professional and administrative aspects of the R&D program. All R&D activities within the hospital, whether funded or unfunded, are within its purview. Decisions on matters outside the committee's jurisdiction will be treated as recommendations to the Medical Center Director.

 

The Committee is responsible for maintaining high standards throughout the R&D Program. These standards include those assuring the scientific quality of the R&D projects, protection of human rights, laboratory safety, and welfare of animal subjects in R&D.

 

Specific responsibilities of the R&D Committee include:

  1. Planning, developing, and assuming overall responsibility of all R&D activities.

  2. Maintaining the execution of high quality of research by evaluating the quality, design desirability, propriety and administrative feasibility of all research proposals, applications for grants, gifts, and donations, and recommending changes to research proposals in order to enhance the accomplishment of desired goals.

  3. Approving or disapproving the conduct of each research activity performed in the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System.

  4. Approving distribution of research funds, space, personnel, equipment, supplies, and common-use facilities.

  5. Making recommendations concerning the use of new investigational drugs and procedures for clinical research.

  6. Determining the extent to which the objectives of the R&D programs are being attained and their impact on maintaining and improving VA-Medical School relations.


2023 Research and Development Committee Meeting Dates 

(PDF of schedule)

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  • All meetings will be held virtually and begin at 9:30AM.

  • New study submissions must have all required subcommittee approvals (IRB, IACUC, SRS) and PO/ISSO review  (as applicable) prior to R&D Committee approval.

  • All VA grant submissions must be reviewed and approved by the Research & Development Committee. Contact Grants Coordinator Christine.Hendricks@va.gov for details and submission deadlines.

  • *Date adjusted for holiday

 

Questions or for additional information, contact:

R&D Committee Administrator Christina Bennett*

RDC 2023 Meeting Dates
January 5
February 2
February 16
March 2
April 6
May 4
May 18
June 1
July 13*
August 3
August 17
September 7
October 5
November 2
November 16
December 7
January 4, 2024

HUMAN STUDIES / IRB

The Human Studies Subcommittee / Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a component of the Research and Development (R&D) Committee. The R&D Committee and the IRB have been entrusted with the responsibility of insuring that research at the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is conducted under the most rigorous ethical standards in order to assure the protection of the rights, welfare, and safety of the Veteran patients under our care. Approval of a project by the IRB indicates conformity with the Federal Guidelines for Studies Involving Human Subjects known as the "Common Rule." Copies of the VHA Directive 1200.05, Requirements for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research and the Federal Policy for Protection of Human Subjects; Notices and Rules, and local policies are available through the IRB.
 

2023 IRB Meeting Schedule

(PDF of schedule​)

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  • IRB meets the second Thursday of each month from 12:00pm to 2:00pm

  • ** Special Meeting Date **

  • Submissions for review at a Board meeting must be submitted sixty (60) days prior to the meeting in which the action is to be reviewed. Please review the IRB Submission Due Dates guidance for detailed information on submission deadlines.

  • IRB submissions MUST BE COMPLETE - including all appropriate signatures.

  • All NEW studies must be submitted in VAIRRS/IRBNet and undergo an internal review process before being eligible for IRB review. The timeline for this process varies, so there is no set deadline for submitting new studies in order to get them reviewed or approved by a certain date. The Research Office recommends submitting studies as early as possible.

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Definition of Research

Human Subject Protection Education (CITI Training)

Federal Wide Assurance Number (FWA): 00004231
 

For assistance with Privacy and Confidentiality, contact:

Privacy Officers Joseph Picklo*

Confidentiality Information Systems Security Officer Robert Hall*

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For more information, contact:

IRB Administrator Joy Volpi

IRB 2023 Meeting Dates
January 12
** February 16 **
March 9
April 13
May 11
June 8
July 13
** August 17 **
September 14
October 12
November 9
December 14

IACUC

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a subcommittee of the R&D Committee. The membership of the IACUC is comprised of scientists with related animal expertise, non-scientific members, and non-affiliated members who are representative of both the scientific and lay community. The IACUC is responsible for overseeing the institution's animal care and use program, which includes the facilities, procedures, Animal Component of Research Protocol (ACORP) approval, and a semi-annual program and facility review. The IACUC is responsible for reviewing and approving all animal work as it relates to the laws, regulations, and policies applicable to research conducted at the VA or its affiliate. The review includes the following:

  • the scientific merit of the study as it relates to the use of animals

  • the appropriateness of the species selected

  • all procedures performed meet the criteria for safe and humane treatment of animals

  • all procedures performed, housing, and use of animals meet the regulations set forth by all applicable agencies

  • all justifications for the use of, and alternative searches for, appropriate alternatives to animal use are met

  • all personnel who work with animals are adequately trained.  Each ACORP must be approved by the IACUC prior to work beginning.

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2023 IACUC Meeting Schedule

(PDF of schedule​)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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IACUC 2023 Meeting Dates
January 24
February 28
March 28
April 25
May 23
June 27
July 25
August 22
September 26
October 24
November 28
December 26
January 24, 2024

RESEARCH SAFETY

The Subcommittee on Research Safety and Security (SRSS) is a subcommittee of the Research and Development Committee (R&D). The membership of the SRSS includes staff with related safety expertise who are representative of the geographic makeup of the Medical Research Service.

 

The SRSS is responsible for coordinating the safety program in all research areas, reviewing written safety plans, procedures involving biohazards, biological and chemical waste, research safety SOPs, training manuals and Research Protocol Safety Surveys for all VA and non-VA funded research protocols. Regardless of funding source, all protocols must be reviewed and approved by this committee prior to implementation.

 

2023 SRSS Meeting Schedule

(PDF of schedule​)

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SRSS meets the second Wednesday of each month from 2:00pm to 3:00pm.

 

For additional information, contact:
Research Safety Coordinator John Schaffer*

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2023 SRSS Meeting Dates
January 25*
February 14
March 15
April 12
May 10
June 14
July 12
August 16*
September 13
October 11
November 8
December 13

* These links use regular email and are not secure. Do not send personal or medical information unprotected over the Internet.

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