Institutional Review Board (IRB)
WCU is guided by the ethical principles regarding all research involving human subjects as set forth in the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research entitled, "Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research: The Belmont Report".
All faculty, staff, administrators, and students who participate in research at the university must complete the Responsible Conduct of Research through CITI (instructions can be found within the policy).
In addition, the requirements set forth in Title 45, Part 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations will be followed for all applicable Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funded research and for all other research without regard to source of funding.
Office Hours for IRB Co-Chairs
Dr. Melissa Reed
Wednesdays 10:00-11:00am
Dr. Melissa Reed's Zoom Link
Dr. Heather Leaman
Mondays 3:00-4:00pm
Dr. Heather Leaman's Zoom Link
Please email the WCU IRB co-chairs to schedule a Zoom conversation.
Frequently Viewed/Helpful Documents
IRB Processing Time and Procedures for Submitting to the WCU IRB
Initial review of your application will take place within three weeks of when the IRB reviewer receives your application. Your IRB reviewer may request edits and changes to your application, this can take an additional two to three weeks to complete. Please plan ahead and allow at least one month for the entire review, revision, and approval process to be completed. The IRB cannot honor requests for a "quick turnaround" or reviews completed by a certain date.
IRB Q&A Zoom Sessions
CHS
Dr. Amir Golmohamadi
February 14th 12:30pm-1:30pm
Dr. Amir Golmohamadi Zoom Link
CHS
Dr. Julie Nair
Monday, February 20th 12:30pm-1:30pm
Dr. Julie Nair Zoom Link
CBPM
Dr. Shannon Grugan & Dr. Matin Katirai
Wednesday, February 22nd 1pm-2pm
Dr. Shannon Grugan & Dr. Matin Katirai Zoom Link
CHS
Dr. Melissa Reed & Dr. Reva Zimmerman
Friday, February 24th 11am-12pm
Dr. Melissa Reed & Dr. Reva Zimmerman Zoom Link
CSM
Dr. Geeta Shivde
Wednesday, March 1st 11am-12pm
Dr. Geeta Shivde Zoom Office Hours Link
Passcode: Shivde
University College
Dr. John Craig
Friday, March 10th 10am-11am
Dr. John Craig Zoom Link
CHS
Dr. Stacie Metz
Tuesday, March 21st 12pm-1pm
Dr. Stacie Metz Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 697 869 5284 | Passcode: 993865 | Call-in: +1-309-205-3325
CAH
Dr. Innhwa Park
Friday, March 24th 2pm-3pm
Dr. Innhwa Park Zoom Link
Passcode: 108578
CESW
Dr. Heather Leaman & Dr. Merry Staulters
Wednesday, March 29th 4pm-5pm
Dr. Heather Leaman & Dr. Merry Staulters Zoom Link
CSM
Dr. Michael Di Giovine
Thursday, April 6th 11am-12pm
Dr. Michael Di Giovine Zoom Link
Passcode: IRB2023
Zoom in at any time during the scheduled times listed!
Cayuse Electronic IRB Submission (required as of 02/05/2021)
We are excited to introduce our NEW IRB electronic application submission process through Cayuse IRB! Please click here to access Cayuse IRB with your WCU Single Sign On information. After 02/05/2021, all new IRB applications must be submitted through Cayuse IRB.
INFORMATION FOR FACULTY & STAFF: Some faculty and staff have been pre-loaded into the system based on previous IRB use. If you get an error or an alert that your account has been disabled, please make a request to ADD yourself (or any co-investigators) that are not found in the current system. Please submit the request(s) here: CAYUSE IRB NEW USER REQUEST. Once the IRB Office receives the information, this will be uploaded into Cayuse IRB. Please allow up to 2 business days for your request to be granted.
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS: If you have never used the Cayuse IRB system, please make a request to ADD yourself here: CAYUSE IRB NEW USER REQUEST. Once the IRB Office receives the information, this will be uploaded into Cayuse IRB. Please allow up to 2 business days for your request to be granted.
Here is a link for the Cayuse IRB Training Manual: Cayuse IRB Training Manual
Here is a link for the Cayuse IRB Training Video: Cayuse IRB Training Video
If you have questions about Cayuse or training opportunities, please email the IRB
office at IRB@wcupa.edu.
Revision Request and Closures for Protocols Approved in Cayuse IRB
Revision Requests for Cayuse IRB
ALL revisions to WCU IRB approved protocols (even minor revisions such as adding a new student assistant’s CITI Human Subjects Research training completion report) must be submitted as a formal revision. If you submitted your initial protocol through Cayuse IRB, click here to submit your revision for review and approval.
Closures for Cayuse IRB
Upon completion of your project, WCU requires all investigators to close their research project. Please click here to access Cayuse IRB with your WCU Single Sign On information to submit a closure request for your research project.
IRB Coordination across Pennsylvania’s State System Universities
Coordination across PASSHE Universities has been paused. It is the responsibility of the primary investigator of the research to reach out to other PASSHE universities for specific questions regarding research that uses human subjects.
Institutional Review Board Members
Co-Chair:
Melissa Reed
Phone: 610-436-2141
Department: Kinesiology
Address: Sturzebecker HSC 320
E-Mail: mreed3@wcupa.edu
Co-Chair:
Heather Leaman
Phone: 610-436-3323
Department: Early & Middle Grades Education
Address: Recitation Hall 203D
E-Mail: hleaman@wcupa.edu
John Craig
Phone: 610-436-3133
Department: Interdisciplinary Studies and Academic Support Programs
Address: Lawrence Center, Room 232
E-Mail: jcraig@wcupa.edu
Michael Di Giovine
Phone: 610-436-2247
Department: Anthropology & Sociology
Address: Old Library 204
E-Mail: mdigiovine@wcupa.edu
Amir Golmohamadi
Phone: 610-436-2175
Department: Nutrition
Address: SECC 255
E-Mail: agolmohamadi@wcupa.edu
Shannon Grugan
Phone: 610-436-2659
Department: Criminal Justice
Address: BPMC 515
E-Mail: sgrugan@wcupa.edu
Matin Katirai
Phone: 610-436-2393
Department: Geography & Planning
Address: BPMC 528
E-Mail: mkatirai@wcupa.edu
Julie I Nair
Phone: 610-436-2331
Department: Nursing
Address: 930 E. Lincoln HWY 121
E-Mail: jnair@wcupa.edu
Innhwa Park
Phone: 610-436-2640
Department: Languages & Cultures
Address: Mitchell Hall 232
E-Mail: ipark@wcupa.edu
Mimi Staulters
Phone: 610-436-2398
Department: Educational Leadership and Higher Education Administration
Address: Anderson Hall 218C
E-Mail: mstaulters@wcupa.edu
Geeta Shivde
Phone: 610-436-3207
Department: Psychology
Address: Peoples BLDG 043
E-Mail: gshivde@wcupa.edu
Kerry Walton
Phone: 610-436-3453
Department: Academic Services
Address: Room 127A, University Libraries
E-Mail: kwalton2@wcupa.edu
Reva Zimmerman
Phone: 610-436-2588
Department: Communication Sciences And Disorders
Address: 201 Carter Drive 418
E-Mail: rzimmerman@wcupa.edu
Non-WCU Community Members:
Mary March
E-Mail: mmarch@wcupa.edu
Christopher Sims
E-Mail: csims@wcupa.edu, kyere1@aol.com
Jen Toby
E-Mail: Jtoby@wcupa.edu
IRB Monthly Meeting Schedule for Spring 2023
Spring IRB Meeting Dates are the first Friday of each month
Feb. 3rd - 1:30-3:00pm
March 3rd - 1:30-3:00pm
April 7th - 1:30-3:00pm
May 5th - 1:30-3:00pm
Questions?
- Please contact the IRB co-chairs, Dr. Melissa Reed and Dr. Heather Leaman, if you have any questions. A Zoom meeting can be scheduled to discuss any IRB matter.
- You may also contact the IRB staff with any questions/concerns/requests at irb@wcupa.edu.