Institutional Review Board

IRB Administration

The Office of Research Compliance (ORC), a division of the Provost's Office for Academic Affairs, provides administrative and general staffing support to the IRB to facilitate IRB review of research applications.

Director of Research Compliance: William Harrison, Director of the Office of Research Compliance, is responsible for the general oversight of all research committees and administration. The Director should be contacted for comprehensive information regarding all aspects of USM's Research Compliance Program (207) 780-4684, fax (207) 228-8405, or email wharrison@usm.maine.edu.

Associate Director and IRB Coordinator: Ross Hickey, the Associate Director of Research Compliance (“ADRC”), collaborates with the Director of Research Compliance and Research Compliance Boards (the Institutional Review Board [“IRB”], the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee [“IACUC”], the Institutional Biosafety Committee [“IBC”] and the Radiation Safety Committee [“RSC”] in implementing USM’s Policies and Procedures governing research activities and provide management of the ORC and research committee boards. Primarily, the ADRC provides backup to the Director, helps coordinate operations related to the ORC and research boards, and administration of policies /regulations involving human subjects, animal research, biosafety, privacy and ethics. (207) 780-4340, fax (207) 228-8405, or email rhickey@usm.maine.edu.

Analyst: Jenni Hebert, the Analyst for Research Compliance, works closely with the Director and Associate Director of Research Compliance and Research Compliance Boards (primarily IRB, but also IACUC, IBC, and RSC) to administer USM’s Policies and Procedures governing research activities and provide associate management of the ORC and research committee boards. Primarily, the ORC Analyst reviews incoming protocols and determines, either alone or in consultation with Board Chairs, whether and to whom to send protocols for review. (207) 228-8434, fax (207) 228-8405, or email jehebert@usm.maine.edu.

Administrative Assistant II: Casey Webster, the ORC Administrative Assistant II, reviews IRB research protocols submitted by faculty, staff, students, and outside community sources for appropriateness and compatibility with research guidelines. The AA II oversees administrative management of the IACUC and IBC protocol review process. She works closely with faculty, USM staff, students, and four standing committee Chairs in assisting with development and management of special projects, statistical analysis, and operational methods. Contact the AA II to inquire about the status of an application at (207) 780-4268, fax (207) 228-8405, or email cwebster@usm.maine.edu.