- Meeting Schedule and Deadlines for Submission
- VUMC IBC Members
- VUMC IBC Charge
- VUMC IBC Structure
- Contact Biosafety Staff
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Institutional Biosafety Committee (VUMC IBC)
An Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is required at institutions that receive funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for research involving recombinant DNA molecules. All recombinant DNA research at Vanderbilt, regardless of funding source, must be conducted in accordance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules and must be registered with the Vanderbilt IBC. Please note that additional institutional approvals are required for studies involving animals or human subjects.
The VUMC IBC is further charged with reviewing and approving research conducted with microorganisms pathogenic to humans, plants, or animals. This review is conducted pursuant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health (CDC/NIH) publication, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (currently in 6th edition, June 2020).
The VUMC IBC will also provide guidance to the Vanderbilt research community regarding proper acquisition, handling, transfer, and disposal of potentially hazardous or regulated biological materials.
Meeting Schedule & Deadline for Submission
The VUMC Institutional Biosafety Committee (VUMC IBC) meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month except November and December which will meet the third Tuesday due to the holidays. VUMC IBC registration documentation to be considered for review must be submitted to the Biosafety Section of OCRS no later than the first Monday of the month.
Committee Members
Faculty (voting)
| Dawn Newcomb (Chair) | Asst. Professor, Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology |
| Mark Boothby | Professor, Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology |
| Rachelle Johnson | Asst. Professor, Department of Medicine |
| Denis Mogilenko | Asst. Professor, Rheumatology/Immunology |
| Danyvid Olivares-Villagomez | Asst. Professor, Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology |
| Iuliia Gilchuk | Senior Staff Scientist, Vaccine Center |
| Jonathan Schmitz | Asst. Professor, Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology |
Administrative (voting)
| Alexandra Elliott | Institutional Biosafety Officer, Asst. Director, OCRS Biosafety |
| Ana Nobis | Asst. Professor of Clinical Medicine, Medical Director, Occupational Health Clinic (Occupational Health Representative) |
| Emily Murphy | Nurse Practitioner, Occupational Health Clinic (Alternate Occupational Health Representative) |
| Katherine Shuster | Asst. Professor, Division of Animal Care (Animal Containment Expert) |
| Jeanne Wallace | Director, Division of Animal Care (Alternate Animal Containment Expert) |
| Cara Sutcliffe | Lab Manager, Molecular Physiology & Biophysics |
Non-Institutional Members (voting)
| Rolinda Bailey | Community Member |
| Paula Spitzler | Community Member |
| April Weissmiller | Community Member |
Ex Officio (non-voting)
| Bettye Ridley | Senior Safety Officer, Biosafety |
| Richard DiTullio | Safety Officer, Biosafety |
| Chris Svitek | Safety Officer, Biosafety |
| Carly Bacon | Safety Officer, Animal Biosafety |
| Maria Garner | Associate General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel |
| John Manning | Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs & Chief Administrative Officer |
| Kevin Warren | Senior Director, OCRS |
Committee Charge
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center Institutional Biosafety Committee is charged to consider policies and procedures pertaining to the safe handling, transport, use, and disposal of biological materials, including recombinant DNA molecules, and to recommend the adoption of appropriate new or revised policies to the University administration through the Office of Clinical and Research Safety; to review for compliance with the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules all recombinant DNA research and to approve research that is in conformity with the Guidelines; to register and review research utilizing Risk Group 2 or higher biological agents and to approve research that contains adequate safeguards to protect the health and safety of laboratory personnel, students, staff, and visitors; to interpret guidelines and/or regulations of the U.S. Public Health Service, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and others pertaining to biological materials, and to provide technical assistance to the Office of Clinical and Research Safety on these matters; to review proposed or enacted legislation impacting the Medical Center community and to inform Departments, Schools, and Colleges of this legislation and its potential implications; in conjunction with the Office of Clinical and Research Safety, assists Colleges, Schools, and Departments with safety committees or programs related to the safe handling, transport, use, and disposal of biological materials; and to render advice in consideration for space and facilities for research involving biological materials, including recombinant DNA molecules.