The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges for researchers. The recently released procedures to begin or continue research have generated a number of questions. On Wednesday, July 15 on Tuesday, July 21, the IRB presented a virtual town hall meeting that included discussion of the following topics:
- Elements and order of the research restart approval process
- Consenting challenges and options
- Exceptions vs modification for protocol changes during COVID
- Environmental Health and Safety considerations
- Q&A (submit questions to askirb@pitt.edu)
Panelists are
Margaret Hsieh, MD – IRB Chair
Molly S. Stitt-Fischer, PhD, CPH, CBSP, SM(NRCM) - University Biosafety Officer
Jean Barone, CIP – HRPO Director
Melissa Miklos, MSL, CIP – HRPO Associate Director
Two sessions were conducted and are similar in content: