Research Compliance

The primary mission of The University of Toledo Biosafety Committee (IBC) is to ensure the safety of the faculty, staff and students participating in biological research at UToledo, as well as humans and vertebrate animals enrolled in such studies. In addition, protocol review and approval by the IBC also serves to protect the general public and the environment from adverse consequences related to that research. UToledo policy #3364-70-06 requires that all research involving the use of biological agents (or potential biohazards) must be submitted to the IBC for review and approval before research faculty may engage in any activities including such materials

When such agents are to be introduced into live vertebrate animals, final approval of the associated animal use protocol by the UToledo Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is contingent upon final approval of the associated protocol for use of a biohazard. When such agents are to be introduced into live humans, final approval of the associated research protocol by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is contingent upon IBC approval of the associated protocol for the use of a biohazard.

For additional information, see the Frequently Asked Questions or contact the IBC Administrator.

Updated: February 3, 2022

IBC Staff

Mahesh Pillai, M.D., Ph.D., C.I.P.

Director, Research Compliance
The University of Toledo
Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
Main Campus | R1 - Suite 1020A

419.383.4251

Mahesh.Pillai@UToledo.edu

Ravindika Dissanayake, Ph.D

Associate Compliance Analyst, IACUC
The University of Toledo
Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
Main Campus | R1 1020E

419.383.5321

Ravindika.DissanayakeMudiyanselage@UToledo.edu

Resources

• IBC Schedule & Submission Deadlines
• What Are Biological Agents?

IBC Training

The IBC office is offering trainings to support student, staff and faculty researchers who conduct research with biohazards. It is not mandatory but is encouraged if you are not familiar with the IBC process, federal regulations, UToledo policy, or best practices. 

The primary audience for the application training is those who have a clear research plan and need some guidance ensuring their procedures are in compliance with IBC approval procedure, providing the information in each application question that is needed for the IBC to make a determination, and general IRB Manager navigation. Please feel free to come with specific questions as this training is meant to not only provide a baseline understanding but to also help you in completing your application. This training is NOT to learn the IRB Manager system. Additionally, this is NOT the required biohazard  training through TestBank that all researchers who conduct research with biohazards must take. You may attend this training multiple times but class sizes are limited to ensure that we can give individualized attention where needed.

The primary audience for the Q&A sessions are all faculty, staff, and student researchers that have general questions about IBC processes, biohazard research regulations, and UT policies and procedures associated with conducting research with biohazards.  The format for these sessions will be unstructured, so please come with any and all questions you may have.

Training Schedule

Please register by 5 p.m. the night prior to your desired training date. The trainings will be conducted virtually but may move to hybrid or in person depending on demand.

If you need IBC training for a specific group/department/course, did not meet the registration deadline, or have any other questions regarding the IBC training sessions please contact Ravindika Dissanayake.