about Lewis IRB
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) must be composed of members with diverse backgrounds to ensure thorough and balanced review of research involving human subjects. According to U.S. regulations (), the IRB must include:
- At least five members with varying expertise and perspectives.
- One member with scientific expertise: A person with knowledge in areas such as biology, medicine, psychology, or other sciences.
- One member with non-scientific expertise: Someone whose primary concerns are in non-scientific areas, such as law, ethics, or community advocacy.
- One member not affiliated with the institution: This person should have no ties to the institution (e.g., no employment, family relations), providing an independent viewpoint to avoid potential bias.
- Diverse representation: The IRB should include members of different genders, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds, to ensure that the review process reflects broad perspectives and avoids discrimination.
In addition, experts may be consulted for specialized knowledge as needed, but they do not vote unless they are official IRB members. This composition ensures ethical and comprehensive review of human subjects research.
Current IRB Membership includes:
IRB members are required to complete ethics training to ensure they understand the regulations, ethical principles, and procedures necessary for reviewing research involving human subjects. In the U.S., these trainings are often provided through platforms like CITI Program (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative), which offers specific modules for IRB members. IRB members at Lewis are required to complete refresher courses every 3 years to stay up-to-date on changes in laws, guidance, and ethical standards.
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