Island University Hosts Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research Workshop
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s Division of Research and Innovation’s Office of Research Compliance hosted Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research (PRIM&R)’s “At Your Doorstep: IRB 101” workshop on June 4, in the University Center. The full-day program covered core concepts and fundamental knowledge about the human research protection program (HRPP) governing human subjects research.
“We are proud to host the first PRIM&R workshop in the Coastal Bend area. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is the intellectual capital of the region and is committed to the greater good of our community,” said Dr. Ahmed Mahdy, Vice President for Research and Innovation and Professor of Computer Science at A&M-Corpus Christi. “Innovation is not limited to expanding on our research efforts. Innovation includes applying novel techniques to protecting the rights and welfare of those participating in our research efforts.”
Seventy-nine attendees included researchers as well as IRB members and IRB administrators from the Island University, Christus Spohn Hospital, Corpus Christi Independent School District, Corpus Christi Medical Center, Driscoll Children’s Hospital, the Department of Veterans Affairs Health System, Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Texas A&M University-Central Texas, and Prairie View A&M University.
Attendees networked with colleagues in the research and Institutional Review Board (IRB) fields, and learned from a leading expert, George Gasparis, President of The PEER Consulting Group, LLC. With more than 30 years of experience in the conduct, administration, review, and compliance oversight of research, Gasparis provided expert consultation for HRPPs, IRBs, and principal investigators/research teams.
“IRB 101 reminded us how research and technology used in research continues to increase in complexity,” said Rebecca Ballard, Director of Research Compliance at A&M-Corpus Christi. “No matter how long you have been in the field, as research administrators, we must constantly reevaluate our understanding and application of the regulations in an ever-evolving landscape.”
After an overview of the historical development of ethical principles underlying the conduct of research with human subjects, the workshop demonstrated how regulations have recently changed to adapt to an evolving understanding of ethical principles. In lively discussions, attendees evaluated various case studies and how to apply ethical principles and regulations to promote ethical research.
“The case studies presented gave us a chance to put the theoretical discussions into practice,” said Joe Miller, Director of Community Outreach and current Island University IRB member.
Dr. Marvarene Oliver, Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies and current IRB chair, appreciated hearing from other IRB members in the community.
“Workshops of this kind give us an immense opportunity to learn from each other’s experience,” said Oliver.
