Seattle University Institutional Review Board (IRB)
The Seattle University Institutional Review Board (IRB) serves two important roles: it insures that the University is complying with federal requirements for research involving human subjects, and it helps the University achieve its goal of academic excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why does Seattle University have an IRB?
- This federal requirement is part of the legacy of scientific abuses of vulnerable populations, such as occurred in the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the Nazi Medical War Crimes.
Who needs to submit to the IRB?
- If your proposed research meets the federal definition of research: “Research means a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge,” (§46.102 Definitions).
AND
- You will be working with human research subjects.
AND
- You plan to publish or present it at a conference outside of the University.
Who does NOT need to submit to the IRB?
- If you are not doing research as referred to above in the §46.102 Definitions of the Basic HHS Policy for the Protection of Human Research Subjects.
- If you are conducting an in-class evaluation of students or faculty.
OR
- You are not conducting normal evaluative processes such as program and departmental reviews.
IRB Members:
Bruce Koch, Albers School of Business & Economics, IRB Chair
(206) 296-5815
kochb@seattleu.edu
Vanessa Castañeda, IRB Administrator (ex-officio member)
Hunthausen 120
(206) 296-2597
castanedav@seattleu.edu
John Chattin-McNichols, College of Education
Carolyn Coffin, College of Science and Engineering
Karen Feldt, College of Nursing
Yvonne Harrison, College of Arts and Sciences
Paul Holland, School of Law (Prisoner Advocate - ad hoc member)
Greg Magnan, Albers School of Business and Economics
Patrick Murphy, College of Nursing
Laurel Oates, School of Law
Robert Rutherford, College of Science and Engineering
Galen Trail, College of Arts and Sciences
Christopher Wood, College of Education