- About the VU IBC
- Meeting Schedule and Deadlines for Submission
- VU IBC Members
- VU IBC Charge
- VU IBC Structure
- Contact Biosafety Staff
Vanderbilt University Institutional Biosafety Committee (VU IBC)
An Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is required at institutions that receive funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research involving recombinant DNA molecules. All recombinant DNA research at Vanderbilt, regardless of funding source, must be conducted in accordance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules and must be registered with the VU IBC. Please note that additional institutional approvals are required for studies involving animals or human subjects.
The VU IBC is further charged with reviewing and approving research conducted with microorganisms pathogenic to humans, plants, or animals. This review is conducted pursuant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health (CDC/NIH) publication, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (currently in 6th edition, June 2020).
The VU IBC will also provide guidance to the Vanderbilt University research community regarding proper acquisition, handling, transfer, and disposal of potentially hazardous or regulated biological materials.
Meeting Schedule & Deadline for Submission
The Vanderbilt University Institutional Biosafety Committee (VU IBC) meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month except during the months of November and December due to the holidays. VU IBC registration documentation to be considered for review must be submitted to the Biosafety Section of OCRS no later than the first Monday of the month.
Committee Members
| Faculty (voting) | |
|---|---|
| Julián Hillyer (Chair) | Biological Sciences |
| Barbara Fingleton | Cancer Biology |
| Ethan Lippmann | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| Lisa McCawley | Biomedical Engineering |
| Chris Breuer | Biochemistry |
| Jenny Schafer | Research Assistant Professor, Cell and Developmental Biology (Core Rep) |
| Administrative (voting) | |
| Sheya Jones | Biological Safety Officer, Assistant Director Biosafety |
| Lori Rolando | Medical Director, Occupational Health Clinic |
| Katherine Shuster | Veterinarian, Division of Animal Care |
| Jeanne Wallace | Director, Division of Animal Care (alternate) |
| Non-Institutional Members (voting) | |
| Robert Loedding | Retired, Community Member |
| Thomas C. Lennon | Retired, Community Member |
| Ex Officio (non-voting) | |
| Bettye Ridley | Senior Safety Officer, Biosafety |
| Richard DiTullio | Safety Officer, Biosafety |
| Erica Teasley | Safety Officer, Biosafety |
| Chris Svitek | Safety Officer, Biosafety |
| Ruth Nagareda | Administrative Compliance Officer |
| Padma Raghavan | Vice Provost for Research |
| Kevin Warren | Senior Director, OCRS |
| Andrea George | Director, Vanderbilt University EH&S |
Committee Charge
The Vanderbilt University Institutional Biosafety Committee is charged to consider policies and procedures pertaining to the safe handling, transport, use, and disposal of biological materials, including recombinant DNA molecules, and to recommend the adoption of appropriate new or revised policies to the University administration through the Office of Clinical and Research Safety; to review for compliance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules all recombinant DNA research and to approve research that is in conformity with the Guidelines; to register and review research utilizing Risk Group 2 or higher biological agents and to approve research that contains adequate safeguards to protect the health and safety of laboratory personnel, students, staff, and visitors; to interpret guidelines and/or regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and others pertaining to biological materials, and to provide technical assistance to the Office of Clinical and Research Safety on these matters; to review proposed or enacted legislation impacting the Vanderbilt University community and to inform Departments, Schools, and Colleges of this legislation and its potential implications; in conjunction with the Office of Research and Clinical Safety, assists Colleges, Schools, and Departments with safety committees or programs related to the safe handling, transport, use, and disposal of biological materials; and to render advice in consideration for space and facilities for research involving biological materials, including recombinant DNA molecules.