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Institutional Biosafety Committee

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) was created in accordance with NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules. Additional areas of oversight include federal requirements regulated by the

and Hawai?i state requirements that include Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture importation regulations.

University research involving recombinant DNA must comply with National Institutes of Health (NIH) Guidelines. Failure to comply risks suspension, limitation, or termination of financial assistance of NIH projects or all NIH funding for recombinant DNA research projects (NIH Guidelines Section I-D). Visit the NIH Office of Biotechnology Activities, now PBBP, for more information on these guidelines.

The IBC is comprised of university faculty and staff and representatives from the community. The committee is responsible for reviewing all research and instructional-use activities involving recombinant DNA activity, infectious agents, and toxins. All members are appointed by the vice president for research and serve a three-year term.

Conflict of Interest

No member of an IBC may be involved (except to provide information requested by the IBC) in the review or approval of a project in which he/she (i) has been, currently is, or expects to be engaged or (ii) has a direct financial interest.  All IBC participants are required to sign a Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality form annually. Conflict of Interest (UH IBC Operating Policies and Procedures August 2013)  

IBC FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When does the IBC meet?

The committee meets on the last Tuesday or Friday of every month unless otherwise announced. The committee convenes for special meetings as the need arises. The schedule is subject to change during observed holidays and campus breaks.?

You can view the current schedule by clicking the link below:

When do I need to complete an IBC registration form?

Complete an IBC registration form for any research activity involving:

  • Recombinant DNA
  • Infectious agents classified as Risk Group 2, 3 or 4 and/or any agent potentially infectious to humans, plants or animals
  • Introduction of a microorganism into another organism
  • Select agents or toxins

IBC registration may also be required by your granting agency, or by a State or Federal Agency when applying for a permit or registration.

When are protocol registration forms due for IBC monthly meetings?

Protocol registration forms must be submitted to the UH Institutional Biosafety Committee by 12:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month in order for the protocol to be reviewed at that months meeting.

How should the registration form be submitted?

Registration forms can be submitted by email, fax, campus mail, or postal mail/delivery

Email
uhibc@hawaii.edu

Fax
808-956-2265
Attn: IBC Coordinator

Campus/postal delivery mail address
IBC Coordinator
2425 Campus Road
Sinclair 10
Honolulu, HI 96822

Protocol registration forms submitted to the IBC must be filled out completely, signed, and dated. Incomplete registration forms will be rejected.

A current annual laboratory biosafety inspection is required prior to protocol approval. Please contact the Biosafety Program at biosafe@hawaii.edu for a lab inspection.

Where can I find out whether my registration form has received IBC approval?

You may contact the compliance office 24 hours after the committee meets. Usually, applicants are notified in writing within five to seven business days.

Can graduate students, staff, or post-doctoral researchers sign off on the registration forms?

Graduate students and staff cannot sign registration forms. The Principal Investigator (PI) must sign the registration form. Post-doctoral students with funding may sign with the PI co-signing.

Can registration forms be handwritten?

No. Only type-written computer-generated print registration forms are accepted.

How long is an IBC project approval valid?

Project approval is valid for up to three years, subject to annual review and inspection. A registration form must be submitted to renew the protocol.

 

IBC MEETING MINUTES ARCHIVE

NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant Molecules Section IV-B-2-a-(7) requires that, upon request, the institution shall make available to the public all Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) meeting minutes. 

Copies of the minutes from past IBC Meetings will be provided upon written request. Please provide the following information with your request:

  • Full Name
  • Address
  • Phone Number
  • E-mail Address
  • Month and Year of the Meeting

Please send all requests to:

University of Hawaiʻi Institutional Biosafety Committee
IBC Coordinator
2425 Campus Road, Sinclair 10
Honolulu, HI 96822

Please note: Certain informatoin in the minutes may be redacted and a handling fee may be requested.

GUESTS OF IBC MEETINGS

Non-IBC members interested in attending an IBC meeting should make a request by emailing orcadmin@hawaii.edu.

Please provide the following with your request:

  • Your full name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Affiliation to the University of Hawaiʻi
  • Reason for attending

IBC ROSTER

Committee established in accordance with Section IV-B-2-a of the National Institutes of Health Guidelines .

Officers

Institutional Biosafety Committee Chair

Eric Ako

Designated Institutional Official

Leonard R. Gouveia, Jr.

Members

Member Designation Number of Members Area of Expertise
Institutional Member 1 Animal Medicine
Non-institutional Member 1 Animal Medicine
University Scientist 1 Cell Biology
Institutional Member 2 Environmental Issues
University Scientist 1 Genetics
University Scientist 3 Infectious Disease
Non-institutional Member 1 Infectious Disease
University Scientist 1 Microbiology
University Scientist 3 Molecular Biology
University Scientist 1 Plant Pathology
Institutional Member 2 Plant Sciences
Non-institutional Member 1 Plant Sciences
University Scientist 2 Reproductive Biology
Designated NIH IBC Biosafety Representative 1  
Ex Officio 1  

Contact Information

Mailing Address

Institutional Biosafety Committee
2425 Campus Road
Sinclair 10
Honolulu HI 96822 

Phone

808-956-8420

Fax

808-956-2265

Email

uhibc@hawaii.edu

IBC RESOURCES

Policies & Guidelines

Forms

Additional Resources