Public Health Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Protecting the rights of persons participating in research

Welcome to the Public Health Institutional Review Board web site of the Department of Human Services, Public Health Division (PHD). The Public Health IRB is a joint board with the DHS-Public Health Division and the Multnomah County Health Department (MCHD). Both agencies are committed to the concept of ethical research and reviewing all research involving human subjects, regardless of funding source.  To affect the reviews, the Public Health IRB is structured and functions in accordance with the Common Rule (45 CFR 46.) Each agency has an assurance in place with the Office for Human Research Protection (OHRP) and as such, no human subject research may be initiated without prior IRB approval.

DHS-Public Health Division FWA#0000520

Multnomah County Health Department FWA#00004186

IRB approval is required for all research with human subjects if any one or more of the following applies:

• The research is sponsored by either PHD or MCHD;
• The research is conducted by or under the direction of an employee or agent of PHD or MCHD in connection with his/her agency responsibilities, or using any property or facility of PHD or MCHD;
• The research involves the use of PHD or MCHDs non-public information to identify or contact human research subjects or prospective subjects;
• The research is funded by PHD or MCHD but conducted at another location; and
• The research is not exempt from review as indicated in the Common Rule.

How to Submit A Research Project to the IRB

Investigators wishing to pursue IRB approval for a research project must submit the following information:

• Initial Review Questionnaire (IRQ) (doc)
• Protocol and/or grant application
• Consent form(s) and if applicable, assent form(s)
• Assessment instruments, if applicable
• Phone scripts, if applicable
• Other items that a research subject may be reviewing or looking at (e.g. recruitment flyer)

An electronic copy as well as hard copy must be forwarded to the Public Health IRB Coordinator. Material must be single-sided and the IRQ must be signed by the principal investigator. Submit material to:

Mellony Bernal, IRB Coordinator

DHS Public Health Division

800 NE Oregon Street

Portland OR 97232

mellony.c.bernal@state.or.us

Meeting Dates and Application Deadlines

Application material must be received by the deadline in order for the project to be reviewed at the appropriate IRB meeting.  No exceptions will be allowed.  

Contact Information

Mellony Bernal                            

IRB Coordinator

(971) 673-1221

mellony.c.bernal@state.or.us