Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
In accordance with the NIH Guidelines, Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI) has established an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) responsible for the review of all research involving recombinant and synthetic nucleic acid molecules (r/sNA) and transgenic animals ensuring compliance with federal regulations, institutional policies, and ethical standards for safe scientific conduct.
On behalf of the Institution, and in accordance with the NIH Guidelines, the IBC is responsible for oversight and review of r/sNA research including independent assessment of containment levels, laboratory facilities, procedures, practices, health surveillance, and training and expertise of personnel involved in the r/sNA research, to ensure safety, scientific integrity, and regulatory compliance.
Additionally, the IBC provides consultation to the Institution’s research community including faculty, staff, and students, concerning issues of biohazards, laboratory biosafety procedures, and appropriate biological techniques (best practices) related to r/sNA to minimize risk and hazard and to promote a culture of responsibility, awareness, and continuous improvement in biosafety practices.
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Membership Roster
Updated 05/27/2025
Chair: Dr. Biana Godin, Faculty, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Vice Chair: Dr. Sasha Azar, Faculty, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Voting Members:
Wenhao Chen, PhD; Faculty, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Edward Graviss, PhD, MPH, FIDHA; Faculty, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Chas Gray, RPh, BCSCP; Pharmacist, Houston Methodist Hospital
Tanya Herzog, DVM, DACLAM; Faculty and Attending Veterinarian, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Daniel Kiss, PhD; Faculty, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Joan Nichols, PhD; Faculty, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Jiangyong Shao, MS; Lead cGMP Specialist, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Tamara Steele; Local Non-Affiliated, Community Member
Sachin Thakkar, PhD; Texas Children’s Hospital
Francesca Taraballi, PhD; Faculty, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Nagendran Tharmalingam, MS, MLT, PhD; Laboratory Representative, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Anjana Tiwari, PhD; Laboratory Representative, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Vicente Zuno, RBP; Biosafety Officer, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Ex Officio Members:
Robert Meyer, DO, MPH; Medical Director, Houston Methodist Hospital and Research Institute Employee and Occupational Health
Michael Metcalf; Manger Environmental Health and Safety, Houston Methodist Hospital
Michael Smith, JD; Senior Director Legal Counsel, Houston Methodist Research Institute
Non-Voting Members:
Gretchen Gotlieb; Houston Methodist Research Institute
Tiffany Gunter, MPH, RN; Houston Methodist Hospital and Research Institute Employee and Occupational Health
Astrid Quiroga, MSN, FNP-BC, COHN-S; Houston Methodist Hospital and Research Institute Employee and Occupational Health
IBC Meeting Minutes
Houston Methodist is ensuring transparency in biosafety oversight of activities involving IBC-approved materials by posting the approved meeting minutes from all monthly IBC meetings beginning in June 2025.
2025
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