IRB Organizational Chart

The VDSS Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews research involving people to make sure it follows state and federal laws and protects the rights, welfare and wellbeing of participants. Oversight for human research and the IRB at VDSS is as follows:

Commissioner of VDSS

• Acts as the agency head and official signatory
• Ensures all VDSS-supported research follows federal and state regulations
• Maintains a Federal-Wide Assurance (FWA #00010976) with the U.S. Office for Human Research Protections

Office of Research and Planning (ORP) 

• Administers the IRB (active since 2006-2007)
• Provides Leadership through the ORP Director, who also serves as the Data Ombudsman
• Addresses grievances about the IRB or VDSS research through the Data Ombudsman
• Maintains the IRB’s registration with OHRP (IORG #0004422)
  

Email the Research Ombudsman for more information: Research Ombudsman

IRB Administration

Staff in ORP support the IRB by:

• Answering researcher questions
• Developing guidance tools
• Assigning reviews
• Leading IRB meetings
• Communicating with members and researchers
• Deciding if projects are exempt from review

If you have any questions, send an email to: irb@dss.virginia.gov.