Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Upstate IRB

Upstate has one internal IRB, appointed by the Institutional Official (IO). The IRB is responsible for the protection of the rights and welfare of human research subjects, through review and oversight of safe and ethical research. It discharges this duty by complying with the requirements of federal and state regulations, the FWA, and organizational policies.
Upstate Medical University uses IRBNet for the electronic administration and management of its IRB. All projects must be submitted via IRBNet. All instructions, templates, and forms are available in the IRBNet library.

FWA# 00005967
IORG# 0000234
IRB# 00000391

Michelle Saya, RN, BSN, MSM IRB Administrator & Chief Compliance Officer for Research	Michelle joined Upstate in 2009 and has over 22 years of nursing, leadership and management experience. She is responsible for overseeing and managing the Human Subject Protection Program. The IRB is responsible for the protection of the rights and welfare of human research subjects, through review and oversight of safe ethical research. She holds three degrees, including Registered Nurse, Bachelors of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science & Management from St. Joseph’s College of Nursing and Keuka College. She is also a Leadership Greater Syracuse 2021 graduate. Michelle is a board member of CNY Lyme & Tick Alliance, and co-chair for RISE Refugee & Immigrant Self-Empowerment. Michelle enjoys all types of community service, fitness and coffee. Fun fact: Michelle has completed a Trifecta Spartan Race. sayam@upstate.edu 315-464-4349
Chantel Eckert, RN, BSN, MSN, DNP Clinical Research Compliance Specialist	Chantel is a doctorally prepared Registered Nurse who joined SUNY Upstate in 2022. She has over 25 years of experience in healthcare including public health, hospital, and private practice settings. Chantel worked in public health for the last 12 years where she completed her doctoral research and implemented an evidence-based child abuse prevention program. She obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Walden University, Master of Science in Forensic Nursing from Duquesne University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College and an Associate of Applied Science degree from Cayuga Community College. Chantel is a member of the Fellows Action Network and part of the Health Leadership Fellows program, Cohort 10. Fun Fact: Chantel is a proud mother and grandmother. She enjoys fitness, camping, and attending musical events with family and friends.
Jean DeCicco Senior IRB Coordinator & IBC Administrator	Jean joined Research Administration in 2010 as IRB Coordinator and has over 20 years of IRB experience. She previously worked for Duke University Health Systems IRB as a Senior IRB Specialist for 10 years. She holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in Health Care Administration from the SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Jean enjoys reading, cooking and traveling with her family. deciccoj@upstate.edu 315-464-4324
Michelle P. Taylor, RPA-C, MS, MT(ASCP) Quality Assessment & Improvement Program Coordinator	Michelle joined Upstate in 2016 and has over 25 years of combined healthcare services experience including both Physician Assistant and Medical Technologist roles. She is responsible for the Quality Assessment and Improvement Program. The QAIP is a post IRB approval monitoring program aimed at providing subjects with an extra level of protection by reviewing the conduct of studies in real time. Her degrees include Physician Assistant Certification (NCCPA), Master of Science in Health Services Management and Policy, Medical Technologist Certification (ASCP) and a Bachelors in Biology. Fun facts: Michelle enjoys spending time with her family, skiing, hiking, camping and spending time at the lake. taylormi@upstate.edu 315-464-4328
Meghan Glavin Senior Administrative Assistant	Meghan joined Upstate in January of 2021, starting out in the Cancer Center. Meghan has a bachelors degree in public communication from Buffalo State college, and over ten years of experience in administration, customer service and marketing. As the senior administrative assistant in the Research Foundation she provides administrative support to The Institutional Review Board for the protection of human subjects, as well as The Institutional BioSafety Committee.