IRB Membership and Meetings

Institutional Review Board Membership

IRB Chair: Dr. Kim Gorman, CAPS 

IRB Membership:

• Dr. Cathy Grist, Human Services 
• Dr. Jamie Vaske, Prisoner Representative, Criminal Justice 
• Ms. Chandler Nobles, Community Member
• Dr. Yanjun Yan, School of Engineering and Technology 
• Ms. Ann Hallyburton, Hunter Library
• Dr. Angela Dills, School of Economics, Mgmt, and Project Mgmt 
• Dr. Bradley Witzel, School of Teaching and Learning 
• Dr. Billy Ogletree, Communication Sciences and Disorders 
• Dr. Brook Alemu, Health Sciences
• Dr. Sam Castelblanco, Psychology

Institutional Review Board Meeting Schedule

The Institutional Review Board meets on the schedule listed below to review protocols requiring full-board review.  Protocols that meet the criteria for exempt or expedited review are processed on an on-going basis, and reviewed by one IRB member assigned to your protocol.

The WCU IRB does not meet during the summer months.  Expedited and exempt protocols are continually reviewed during the summer, but no full-board reviews occur during the summer months.  Please plan accordingly to prevent delays in your research.

If you believe that your protocol may qualify for a full review, be sure to submit your completed application through InfoEd by the corresponding calendar date below: 

Fall 2023 Full-Board Meeting Schedule 

If you have questions about whether your protocol will require a full-board review, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Research Administration at 828.227.7212 or irb@wcu.edu

Please note: IRB approval must be obtained prior to initiating any study activities, including recruitment.