Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The Commonwealth University Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects mission is to assure that, in research involving human subjects, the rights and welfare of the subjects are adequately protected. The IRB reviews research involving human subjects to ensure that subjects are not placed at undue risk and that they give uncoerced, informed consent to participate in the research.

Overview of Process

All projects that meet the definition of research with human subjects must be reviewed and approved. The IRB staff initially screens submissions to determine the completeness. Submissions may be returned to the PI for changes before the review type is assigned. The review type may be reassessed at any time during the review process.

If you have a question on whether or not your project requires IRB approval please review:

Does my project require IRB review and approval?

CU-IRB Contact Information

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
211 Centennial Hall
570-389-4322
CU-IRB@commonwealthu.edu
IRB Chair - Ashley Lesniak
IRB Administrator - Elizabeth Dickinson

You will need to use IRBManager. Please make sure to have completed CITI Training requirements before completing an application as this will be an automatic return to you and your study staff. Please see our guide for assistance on obtaining a certificate.

For additional questions, contact the IRB by email at CU-IRB@commonwealthu.edu.

The CU-IRB has provided a sample consent template for your study.

Delete all instructions in red before submitting to the IRB. Customize the language in black as needed to fit your study.

Regular IRB Members

Ashley Lesniak — CU-IRB Chair
Francis Craig
Rodger Benefiel
Fr. John Szada — Non-CU affiliated member
Doreen Jowi
Carroll Walter — Non-CU affiliated member
Scott Mehall
Kellie Pytel
Jeffrey Leitzel
Abby Hare-Harris

Alternate IRB Members

Luke Semrau
Gretchen Sechrist
Kyle Beyer — Non-CU affiliated member
Andrew Talbot
Melinda Barrett

Upcoming Meetings

September 13, 2024 at 11:00 AM
October 11, 2024 at 11:00 AM
November 15, 2024 at 11:00 AM
February 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM
March 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM
April 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM
May 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM

Notices

Committee meetings are held via Zoom. Please contact IRB Administrator for more meeting information
When needed, one summer meeting may be scheduled.
Protocols that require full board review must be submitted two weeks before a meeting date to be considered for review.