The Human Subjects Research Office (HSR) facilitates and promotes the ethical involvement of human subjects in research by providing administrative support to the Institutional Review Board and consultative services to investigators and their research staff. The HSR facilitates the IRB review and approval of human subjects research in accordance with applicable federal and state regulations and UTD policies and procedures. Additionally, the HSR conducts post-monitoring and quality assurance activities and provides educational outreach for the UTD research community.

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a university-wide standing committee whose primary mission is to ensure the rights and welfare of all human participants in UTD affiliated research. The IRB has the authority to review, approve, disapprove, or require changes to all studies under their purview.  IRB review process is guided by federal and state regulations, university policy, and the Belmont Report. IRB members include faculty, staff, and community members who, in the aggregate, possess a broad range of interests and expertise that correspond with the areas of research reviewed.

The Human Subjects Research Office is pleased to announce that Gayathri Batchalli Maruthy, member of the NeuroPsychometric Research (NPR) Lab, has been selected as the recipient of the Spring 2023 HIVE Award! For additional information about Gayathri and her research, please visit the HIVE Awards page.

Hive Award

What is the HIVE award?

  • The HIVE award is a way to recognize UTD students and staff exhibiting positive Habits, Ideals, Values, and Ethics in human subjects research. 
  • One HIVE award recipient will be chosen each semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer). 
  • The newest member to join the HIVE will be featured on the Office of Research and Innovation website, receive a certificate, and a small token of appreciation.

Who qualifies to receive the HIVE award, and how is a recipient chosen?

  • Any student or staff member conducting human subjects research or support staff for human subjects investigators is eligible. 
  • Individuals can be nominated by both faculty members and the HSR Office. A nomination form is available on the HSR website. The HSR Office will compile the nominations and forward a list of finalists to the Office of Research and Innovation leadership team who will make the final selection.

When are nominations due each semester?

Nominations can be submitted year-round; however nominations must be received by the following dates to be considered for that semester’s award:

Fall Semester: October 1st

Spring Semester: March 1st

Summer Semester: June 1st

Winners will be announced each November, April, and July.

Eligible candidates are UTD students and staff who exhibit positive Habits, Ideals, Values, and Ethics in human subjects research:

  • Habits: Interest in developing positive habits in the responsible conduct of research and learning IRB regulations and/or requirements by attending or participating in training workshops sponsored by the Office of Research and Innovation or by seeking assistance from the Human Subjects Research (HSR) Office (or lab PI).
  • Ideals: Lead by example in the protection of participant privacy, conduct of research procedures, documentation of research activities and maintaining HSR study records.
  • Values: Understand study-specific IRB requirements, consistently following best practices for compliance.
  • Ethics: Able to identify compliance issues, documenting and reporting such instances to their PI and / or the HSR Office after consultation with their PI
Human Subjects Research Training Series

The Office of Research and Innovation provides an informational series on Human Subjects Research. Click on the button below to view the playlist.

Institutional Review Board Roster FY2023
IRB Member NameTitle/Department
Andrea Warner-Czyz, PhD – Chair  Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Lisa Goffman, PhD – Vice ChairBehavioral and Brain Sciences
Abraham Benavides, PhDEconomic, Political and Policy Sciences
Amanda Boone, MFA Office of Research
Randal Boss, MBACommunity Representative
Stuart Cogan, PhDBioengineering
Kyle Hyndman, PhDManagement
Kristen KennedyBehavioral and Brain Sciences
Roger Malina, PhDArts & Humanities
Sanaz Okhovat, BSOffice of Research
Jiyoung Park, PhDBehavioral and Brain Sciences
Michael Rugg, PhDBehavioral and Brain Sciences
Bart Rypma, PhDBehavioral and Brain Sciences
Richard Scotch, PhDEconomic, Political and Policy Sciences
Shashank Sirsi, PhDEngineering and Computer Science
Kerry Tate, MSAccessAbility Resource Center
Mary Urquhart, PhDNatural Sciences and Mathematics
Brendan Williams, BScBehavioral and Brain Sciences

Contact Us

  • Sanaz Okhovat,
    Sanaz Okhovat
    Associate Vice President for Research and Innovation, 972-883-4579, AD 3.202H, sanaz.okhovat@utdallas.edu, biosafety and chemical safety committee;conflict of interest;export control;institutional review board;lab animal resource center;research and academic safety;research integrity and outreach;safety
  • Research Integrity and Outreach,
    , , , , biosafety and chemical safety committee;conflict of interest;export control;institutional review board;lab animal resource center;research and academic safety
  • Amanda Boone,
    Amanda Boone
    Director, 972-883-4575, AD 3.204P, amanda.boone@utdallas.edu, institutional review board;research integrity and outreach
  • Mary Beth Goodnight,
    Mary Beth Goodnight
    HSR Specialist III, 972-883-4595, AD 3.204, marybeth.goodnight@utdallas.edu, institutional review board;research integrity and outreach
  • Laura Hamilton,
    laura-hamilton
    HSR Specialist II, 972-883-3536, AD 3.204, laura.hamilton@utdallas.edu, institutional review board;research integrity and outreach
  • Hannah Rodriguez,
    hannah-rodriguez
    HSR Specialist II, 972-883-4616, AD 3.204, hannah.rodriguez2@utdallas.edu, institutional review board;research integrity and outreach