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Questions, Suggestions, and Concerns

Graphic of the human mind inside a computer-drawn human head

PNNL staff, in particular, research investigators are encouraged to contact any member of the IRB Administrative Team to ask questions, convey practical suggestions, or express their concerns regarding the Human Research Protection Program, the IRB, or their protocol.

For issues that cannot be addressed with a phone call or face-to-face meeting, staff should submit their questions, suggestions, or concerns to the IRB Chair in writing with a copy to the Associate Laboratory Director for Operations. Any relevant supporting documentation should be provided.

If formal written correspondence fails to resolve the issue, investigators may request a meeting with the IRB Administrative Team or with the full board at a convened meeting. In either instance, the Laboratory Director for Operations will be invited to attend the meeting.

Serious or unresolved issues or allegations of noncompliance, coercion, or undue influence should be submitted in writing to the IRB Chair and the IRB Program Manager and supporting documentation should be provided.

PNNL staff may contact any of the following members of the IRB Administrative Team.

IRB Chair James E. Morris (509) 376-4815
IRB Vice Chair/Legal Counsel Alan Rither (509) 375-2218
IRB Program Manager Kathy Ertell (509) 375-3610

Staff may direct serious questions or concerns regarding their interactions with the IRB to the Laboratory Director for Operations, Mike Schlender, at 375-5911.