Institutional Biosafety Committee | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Source: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/boards/ibc
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:09
Institutional Biosafety Committee | National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Skip Navigation
Institutional Biosafety Committee
Close the left navigation
In accordance with the
NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules
, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Safety and Environmental Protection Branch (SEPB) maintains an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
The IBC reviews, approves, and oversees research involving biohazardous materials to ensure work is conducted safely and in compliance with NIH policy, federal regulations, and institutional requirements. The Committee establishes biosafety requirements for the NIEHS intramural research community and helps safeguard public health and the environment.
The IBC includes scientific, biosafety, veterinary, and community representatives to ensure appropriate expertise and public accountability in the oversight of biological research.
Do You Need IBC Approval?
IBC review and approval are required
before initiating research
involving:
Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids (r/sNA)
, as defined by the
NIH Guidelines
Biological toxins
, including:
Acute biological toxins with a mammalian LD
50
≤ 100 µg/kg
Select toxins below permissible quantities established by the
CDC/USDA Federal Select Agent Program
Human or non-human primate (NHP) materials
, including blood, body fluids, tissues, and primary or established cell lines
Pathogens or microorganisms
classified as
Risk Group
1 or higher
Animal studies
involving any of the materials listed above
If you are unsure whether your work requires IBC review, contact SEPB or the biosafety specialist prior to initiating research.
Animal Studies and Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) Coordination
Any
ACUC Animal Study Protocol (ASP)
that includes:
Biological agents
Biological toxins
Human-derived materials
Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids
Must receive IBC approval (BIO Permit) before ACUC approval can be granted
.
Investigators should plan submissions accordingly to avoid delays in protocol approval.
How to Submit
All biological material registrations must be submitted through
Environmental Health & Safety Assistant (EHSA)
.
To be considered for review at a scheduled IBC meeting:
Submissions must be received
no later than 5:00 p.m. (close of business)
At least
10 calendar days prior to the meeting date
Incomplete or late submissions will be deferred to the next scheduled meeting.
Submission guidance and instructions for EHSA are provided below.
For assistance, contact SEPB or the biosafety specialist.
2026 IBC Meeting Schedule
The IBC meets monthly, typically on the second or third Thursday of each month.
Month
Submission Deadline
Meeting Date
January
January 5
January 15
February
February 2
February 12
March
March 2
March 12
April
March 6
April 16
May
April 4
May 14
June
June 1
June 11
July
July 6
July 16
August
August 3
August 13
September
August 31
September 10
October
October 5
October 15
November
November 2
November 12
December
November 30
December 10
Investigators are encouraged to submit early to allow sufficient time for administrative review.
Principal Investigator Responsibilities
Principal Investigators (PIs) are responsible for:
Ensuring all applicable research activities are registered with and approved by the IBC prior to initiation
Submitting complete and accurate registrations through EHSA
Obtaining IBC approval before beginning work
Submitting amendments when there are changes in:
Research scope
Biological hazards used
Experimental procedure
Ensuring laboratory staff receive appropriate safety training
Implementing required containment and safety practices
IBC Membership
The IBC includes representatives from NIEHS scientific divisions, biosafety professionals, veterinary staff, and non-affiliated community members. Community members provide independent representation of public health and environmental interests.
Division/Organization Representation:
Name
Division/Organization
Francesco J. Demayo, Ph.D. (
[email protected]
)
, Ph.D., IBC Chair, Deputy Chief, RDBL
DIR / RDBL
Christopher A. McGee (
[email protected]
)
, IBC Contact, Executive Secretary
OM / SEPB
David Chen, Ph.D.
DIR / VVC
Jacqueline Hamilton, M.A., BCBA
Community Member
Lawrence Kirschner, M.D., Ph.D.
DIR / CTRB
Justin Kosak, M.S.
DIR / ERBL
David M. Kurtz, D.V.M., Ph.D.
DIR / CMB
John McLamb, CHP, RRPT, Radiation Safety Officer
OM / SEPB
Andrew Newell, Ph.D
DTT/MTB
Steve Novak, CSP, Deputy Chief, SEPB
OM / SEPB
Robert Petrovich, Ph.D.
DIR / GISBL
Huanchen Wang, Ph.D.
DIR / MCBL
Troy Weaver
Community Member
For additional information regarding committee composition or operations, please contact the Biosafety Office.
Contact Information
For questions regarding IBC review, EHSA submissions, or biosafety requirements, please contact:
Safety and Environmental Protection Branch (
[email protected]
)
, 984-287-3400
Biosafety Specialist (
[email protected]
)
, 984-287-3389
NIEHS IBC Charter
NIEHS IBC Charter
Related Links
2026 NIEHS Exposure Control Plan
(220KB)
NIH Guidelines
Past Institutional Biosafety Committee Minutes
Back
to Top
Last Reviewed: March 11, 2026
Skip Navigation
Institutional Biosafety Committee
Close the left navigation
In accordance with the
NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules
, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Safety and Environmental Protection Branch (SEPB) maintains an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
The IBC reviews, approves, and oversees research involving biohazardous materials to ensure work is conducted safely and in compliance with NIH policy, federal regulations, and institutional requirements. The Committee establishes biosafety requirements for the NIEHS intramural research community and helps safeguard public health and the environment.
The IBC includes scientific, biosafety, veterinary, and community representatives to ensure appropriate expertise and public accountability in the oversight of biological research.
Do You Need IBC Approval?
IBC review and approval are required
before initiating research
involving:
Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids (r/sNA)
, as defined by the
NIH Guidelines
Biological toxins
, including:
Acute biological toxins with a mammalian LD
50
≤ 100 µg/kg
Select toxins below permissible quantities established by the
CDC/USDA Federal Select Agent Program
Human or non-human primate (NHP) materials
, including blood, body fluids, tissues, and primary or established cell lines
Pathogens or microorganisms
classified as
Risk Group
1 or higher
Animal studies
involving any of the materials listed above
If you are unsure whether your work requires IBC review, contact SEPB or the biosafety specialist prior to initiating research.
Animal Studies and Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) Coordination
Any
ACUC Animal Study Protocol (ASP)
that includes:
Biological agents
Biological toxins
Human-derived materials
Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids
Must receive IBC approval (BIO Permit) before ACUC approval can be granted
.
Investigators should plan submissions accordingly to avoid delays in protocol approval.
How to Submit
All biological material registrations must be submitted through
Environmental Health & Safety Assistant (EHSA)
.
To be considered for review at a scheduled IBC meeting:
Submissions must be received
no later than 5:00 p.m. (close of business)
At least
10 calendar days prior to the meeting date
Incomplete or late submissions will be deferred to the next scheduled meeting.
Submission guidance and instructions for EHSA are provided below.
For assistance, contact SEPB or the biosafety specialist.
2026 IBC Meeting Schedule
The IBC meets monthly, typically on the second or third Thursday of each month.
Month
Submission Deadline
Meeting Date
January
January 5
January 15
February
February 2
February 12
March
March 2
March 12
April
March 6
April 16
May
April 4
May 14
June
June 1
June 11
July
July 6
July 16
August
August 3
August 13
September
August 31
September 10
October
October 5
October 15
November
November 2
November 12
December
November 30
December 10
Investigators are encouraged to submit early to allow sufficient time for administrative review.
Principal Investigator Responsibilities
Principal Investigators (PIs) are responsible for:
Ensuring all applicable research activities are registered with and approved by the IBC prior to initiation
Submitting complete and accurate registrations through EHSA
Obtaining IBC approval before beginning work
Submitting amendments when there are changes in:
Research scope
Biological hazards used
Experimental procedure
Ensuring laboratory staff receive appropriate safety training
Implementing required containment and safety practices
IBC Membership
The IBC includes representatives from NIEHS scientific divisions, biosafety professionals, veterinary staff, and non-affiliated community members. Community members provide independent representation of public health and environmental interests.
Division/Organization Representation:
Name
Division/Organization
Francesco J. Demayo, Ph.D. (
[email protected]
)
, Ph.D., IBC Chair, Deputy Chief, RDBL
DIR / RDBL
Christopher A. McGee (
[email protected]
)
, IBC Contact, Executive Secretary
OM / SEPB
David Chen, Ph.D.
DIR / VVC
Jacqueline Hamilton, M.A., BCBA
Community Member
Lawrence Kirschner, M.D., Ph.D.
DIR / CTRB
Justin Kosak, M.S.
DIR / ERBL
David M. Kurtz, D.V.M., Ph.D.
DIR / CMB
John McLamb, CHP, RRPT, Radiation Safety Officer
OM / SEPB
Andrew Newell, Ph.D
DTT/MTB
Steve Novak, CSP, Deputy Chief, SEPB
OM / SEPB
Robert Petrovich, Ph.D.
DIR / GISBL
Huanchen Wang, Ph.D.
DIR / MCBL
Troy Weaver
Community Member
For additional information regarding committee composition or operations, please contact the Biosafety Office.
Contact Information
For questions regarding IBC review, EHSA submissions, or biosafety requirements, please contact:
Safety and Environmental Protection Branch (
[email protected]
)
, 984-287-3400
Biosafety Specialist (
[email protected]
)
, 984-287-3389
NIEHS IBC Charter
NIEHS IBC Charter
Related Links
2026 NIEHS Exposure Control Plan
(220KB)
NIH Guidelines
Past Institutional Biosafety Committee Minutes
Back
to Top
Last Reviewed: March 11, 2026