The Institutional Review Board's (IRB) primary mission is to protect the rights and welfare of participants in human research studies (research subjects). The IRB membership is diverse and includes experts from a variety of fields such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, statisticians, researchers, community members, and others. The IRB reviews research before it is started (and most research while it is being conducted*) to assess that the research meets appropriate ethical, federal, state, and local requirements/guidelines. The IRB evaluates many issues, such as:

• What are the risks of the research to the subject? (Safety concerns)
• What are the benefits of the research to the subject or society? (Could/should the research be helpful or useful?)
• Are people given appropriate information to decide whether or not to be in the research? (Informed Consent)

Please contact the IRB at (352) 273-9600 or UFIRB-L@lists.ufl.edu if you have:

1. any questions about the rights of research subjects;
2. questions or concerns about a particular research study that you have been asked to participate in or are participating in; or
3. a complaint or comment about a study that you are participating in.