institutional review board

Office of Research

Li Morrow, Research Compliance Specialist, is a key contact and staff support for UM-Flint human subjects applications at IRB-HSBS in Ann Arbor. The compliance staff at HSBS makes most approvals of exempt or not-regulated studies, and applications which require full board review are discussed the IRB-HSBS every two weeks. Two UM-Flint faculty members, Kazuko Hiramatsu, Vice-Chair of IRB-HSBS, and Babara Kuperschmid, serve as the Flint faculty representatives on IRB-HSBS, one each on the two panels (Maize and Blue) which discuss applications that require full board review. 

To begin an application, please contact Li at hamiltol@umich.edu or begin the IRB application in the eResearch system.

Additional information on the IRB approval process can be found on the U-M IRB Health Sciences and Behavioral Sciences homepage.

Expedited and Exempt Review Determination

There is no official deadline for submitting materials for expedited or exempt review; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as materials are received. Decisions are usually issued two to four weeks after submitting all required materials. Please contact IRB-HSBS staff if your application is time-sensitive.

Full Board Review

If your research involves greater risks to the participants, such as any of the following, your application may require review by the convened (full) board:

1. Children, prisoners, pregnant women, impaired adults
2. Illegal activities such as drug use
3. Private activities such as sexual behavior
4. FDA-approved drugs and devices presenting more than minimal risk
5. Non-FDA approved drugs and devices
6. Deception

Contact the IRB

Health Sciences and Behavioral Sciences Institutional Review Board (IRB-HSBS)
University of Michigan
North Campus Research Complex
1600 Huron Parkway, Building 520, Room 1170
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800
734-615-9466

Kazuko Hiramatsu
Vice-Chair, IRB-HSBS
Associate Professor, English
810-762-3285
kazukoh@umich.edu

Li Morrow
IRB-HSBS Staff Contact for UM-Flint Applications
Assistant Full Board Administrator
734-764-9928
hamiltol@umich.edu

Ken Sylvester
Primary UM-Flint Liaison to U-M HRPP (Human Research Protection Program)
Director, Office of Research
810-766-6842
kenms@umich.edu

HSBS Board Members from UM-Flint

• Kazuko Hiramatsu, Associate Professor, English, Vice-Chair, IRB-HSBS, Blue Panel  
• Barbara Kupferschmid, Associate Professor, Nursing, UM-Flint member, IRB-HSBS, Maize Panel
• Cathy Larson, Associate Professor, Physical Therapy, UM-Flint Consultant to IRB-HSBS, Maize and Blue Panels
• Li Morrow, IRB Staff, Primary contact for UM-Flint