New Upstate Research Strategic Plan Learn More

Compliance Committees

Search Research Website

Compliance Committees

  • Compliance Committees

Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRB)

The Upstate IRB reviews and approves ALL research involving human subjects, human tissue, surveys of human subjects, or medical records prior to the initiation of research. This requirement applies to all human subject research conducted by faculty, on‑ and off‑campus, whatever the funding source for the project. The principal investigator (must have faculty status) is responsible for the conduct of the research study including the conduct of other study team members. 

IRB Chair

Christopher Morley, PhD, MA, CAS
Professor and Chair of Public Health & Preventative Medicine
Professor of Family Medicine and Psychiatry/Behavioral Sciences

IRB Vice Chair

Danielle Katz, MD
Asst Dean, Graduate Medical Education & Associate Professor of Orthopedics


IRB Review Board Members

David Baines: Community Member and Prisoner Representative

Katalin Banki, MD: Associate Professor of Pathology

Jay Brenner, MD: Vice Chair of Research, Professor, Medical Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, and Medical Director, Geriatric Emergency Medicine Care Unit

Donald Blair, MD: Professor of Medicine

Chantel Eckert, DNP, RN: Clinical Research Compliance Specialist

Grahame Gould, MD: Associate Professor of Neurosurgery

Carolyn Haughton: Community Member

David Lehman, MD, PharmD: Professor of Medicine

Michael Lioudis, MD: Division Chief of Nephrology

Chris Miller, PharmD, BCPS: Associate Director of Pharmacy for Clinical Services; Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine

Rahul Seth, DO: Assistant Professor of Medicine Hematology/Oncology

Jody Sima, MD: Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

Brittany Simone, DO: Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology

Şerife Tekin, PhD: Assistant Professor of Bioethics and Humanities

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

The IBC is charged with ensuring that research is performed in a safe environment and in accordance with guidelines promulgated by the National Institutes of Health.

Research that involves the use of infectious agents, human blood/ fresh tissue/body fluids and recombinant DNA must be submitted to the IBC for review. Work with recombinant DNA must be conducted in accordance with NIH Guidelines.

IBC Chair

Paul Massa, Ph.D.
Professor, Neurology
SUNY Upstate Medical University


Upstate Medical University IBC Committee

Paul Massa, Ph.D., IBC Chair
Professor, Neurology

Robert Quinn, D.V.M.
Animal Expert
Director, Laboratory Animal Resources
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery

Robert Andrus, BS, MA
Institutional Biological Safety Officer
Director, Environmental Health and Safety

Elizabeth Ruckdeschel, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Pathology

Jeff Amack, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Cell & Developmental Biology

Carolyn M. Shoen, Ph.D.
Syracuse VA Medical Center Research
Safety Coordinator, Central NY Research Corporation
VA Medical Center

Michelle DeStefano, BS, CBSP
Non-Affiliated Member
Syracuse VA Medical Center

Saravanan Thangamani, Ph.D.
Professor, Microbiology & Immunology

Ms. Bonnie Toms
Laboratory Staff Representative
Department of Pediatrics

Dawn Post, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Urology
Assistant Professor Microbiology & Immunology

Maureen Tarsio
Lab Manager, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

IBC Contact:
Jean Decicco
IBC Administrator
Phone: 315-464-4317
deciccoj@upstate.edu

QUESTIONS / COMMENTS
We value your Feedback

Thank you for visiting the research website. Your feedback is valuable to us as we strive to support researchers and provide information about the exciting research conducted at Upstate Medical University.

Go to top