Research Integrity Office

The Research Integrity Office (RIO) empowers leaders within the Texas Tech University Health Science Center research community to act with the highest ethical standards to create and maintain a culture of ethics compliance and integrity in all that we do.

In providing research administrative oversight and outreach, we work to support and empower leaders within our research community to act with the highest ethical standards in order to create and maintain our culture of ethics, compliance, and integrity.

Kristyn U. Sorensen, JD, PhD

Associate Vice President for Research Integrity

Research Oversight Committees

Through our committees, we provide research oversight in order to ensure adherence to applicable federal and state laws and institutional policies.

Click HERE to view the RIO Org Chart.

Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Our AAHRPP accredited IRB reviews and monitors all TTUHSC research involving human subjects. The board evaluates risks to subjects and compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies.

Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)

IACUC oversees federally-mandated policies and procedures regarding the humane care and use of lab animals.

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

IBC develops and advises on standard policy and procedures for the safe use, handling and storage of hazardous chemical and biological materials.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee (ESCRO)

ESCRO provides local oversight of standards and responsible use of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) or human Pluripotent Stem Cells (hPSC) in research.

Quality Improvement Review Board (QIRB)

QIRB oversees the systematic collection and analysis of data and implementation of interventions to improve the quality of clinical care in our educational programs.

Conflict of Interest in Research Committee (COIRC)

RIO provides an initial review of financial disclosure statements from TTUHSC researchers, as well as administrative oversight of the TTUHSC COIRC. For any questions, contact the COIRC Administrator..

Report Research Misconduct

The RIO Director serves as TTUHSC’s Research Integrity Officer to receive potential allegations of research misconduct in accordance with TTUHSC’s policy on Honesty in Research and other guidelines and procedures.

Review our Policy

Human Research Protection Program

Our AAHRPP accredited Human Research Protection Program (IRB) reviews and monitors all TTUHSC research involving human subjects through two IRBs across six campuses.

Compliance & Auditing

Under the direction of the Research Integrity Officer, we review, audit and monitor all research activities for compliance and potential conflicts.

Education & Training

RIO staff provide educational training to groups and individuals on all aspects of research ethics and compliance.

Human Subject Protection Training (CITI)
Animal Care & Use Training (CITI)
iRIS (access for TTUHSC users)
iRIS (access for outside collaborators)
Cayuse
COIC disclosure