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Institutional Review Board Membership

IRB Chair: Dr. Cathy Grist, Human Services
IRB Vice Chair: Dr. Brook Alemu, Health Sciences

IRB Membership: 

• Dr. Andy Hansen, Prisoner Representative, Criminal Justice
• Dr. Tasha Youstin, Criminology & Criminal Justice
• Dr. Scott Pierce, School of Engineering and Technology
• Rebecca Saunders, Hunter Library
• Dr. Angela Dills, School of Economics, Mgmt, and Project Mgmt
• Dr. Bradley Witzel, School of Teaching and Learning
• Dr. Thales De Nardo, Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Dr. Sam Castelblanco, Psychology
• Dr. Edward Jauch, Community Member

Institutional Review Board Meeting Schedule

The Institutional Review Board meets on the schedule listed below to review protocols requiring full-board review.  Protocols that meet the criteria for exempt or expedited review are processed on an on-going basis, and reviewed by one IRB member assigned to your protocol.

The Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓƵIRB does not meet during the summer months.  Expedited and exempt protocols are continually reviewed during the summer, but no full-board reviews occur during the summer months.  Please plan accordingly to prevent delays in your research.

If you believe that your protocol may qualify for a full review, be sure to submit your completed application through InfoEd by the corresponding calendar date below: 

Spring 2025 Full-Board Meeting Schedule

If you have questions about whether your protocol will require a full-board review, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Research Administration at 828.227.7212 or irb@wcu.edu

Please note: IRB approval must be obtained prior to initiating any study activities, including recruitment.