ORIA Oversight Committees

Georgia Tech is dedicated to conducting research in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. These principles are not just words but the foundation of the institution's values. 

The Office of Research Integrity Assurance (ORIA) collaborates with its committee partners to ensure responsible research conduct and uphold ethical standards.
 

Institutional Review Board (IRB)
  • The IRB is primarily responsible for reviewing and approving research protocols involving human subjects.
  • Their role includes ensuring that research involving humans adheres to ethical standards, informed consent procedures, and privacy protections.
  • IRBs assess risks and benefits, monitor ongoing studies, and guide researchers.
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
  • The IACUC oversees research involving vertebrate animals.
  • Their responsibilities include reviewing animal research protocols, ensuring humane treatment, minimizing pain and distress, and verifying compliance with animal welfare regulations.
  • IACUCs also inspect animal facilities and monitor ongoing studies.
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
  • The IBC focuses on recombinant DNA (rDNA) and synthetic nucleic acids research.
  • They evaluate protocols related to genetic engineering, gene therapy, and other biotechnology applications.
  • IBCs assess risks, establish safety guidelines, and ensure compliance with biosafety regulations.
Dual Use Research of Concern Institutional Review Entity (DURC IRE)
  • DURC IRE handles research that could have both beneficial and harmful applications.
  • They assess whether research falls into dual-use concerns (e.g., potential for misuse).
  • DURC IRE works to balance scientific progress with security and safety considerations.
     

Research Integrity, Safety and Compliance Partners

While everyone is responsible for ensuring safe and ethical research, dedicated teams across the Institute support faculty and staff in conducting research safely and ethically.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)

EHS focuses on safety aspects related to research. It guides topics such as handling hazardous materials, lab safety protocols, and environmental protection. Its role is critical in maintaining a safe research environment.

General Counsel Office of Ethics and Compliance

This Ethics and Compliance office is responsible for legal and ethical matters. It ensures that research activities align with legal requirements and moral standards and provides advice and support to researchers and staff.

Regulatory Affairs

The ORIA Regulatory Affairs team deals with regulatory compliance in research. They help navigate complex regulations related to research, including export controls, human subjects, and other compliance areas.
 

Training Resources


Environmental Health and Safety

The EHS training tool delivers mandatory safety training to lab personnel. Lab workers must complete relevant training modules through this tool. Topics may include chemical safety, biological safety, radiation safety, and more.

Research Administration Education and Outreach

The OSP Research Education Team provides information on Georgia Tech's training programs to keep researchers informed and promote safety, ethics, and excellence.

Mandatory USG Training in Ethics, Safety, and Cybersecurity

The Board of Regents has established mandatory training to ensure compliance with the University System of Georgia (USG) Ethics Policy, state and federal laws, and hiring standards. Employees need to stay informed and compliant with relevant policies and regulations.  

  • Right to Know
    As a Georgia state employee, you have the right to know about hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Completing the USG Right to Know training ensures awareness of workplace hazards related to chemicals.
  • USG Ethics and Compliance
    The USG upholds high ethical standards, and its ethics training provides insights into these expectations. New employees must complete ethics training during onboarding, and periodic refresher training helps reinforce ethical practices.
  • Cybersecurity Awareness
    Recurring training provides information on identifying and reporting cyber threats and is accessible from the Genius Learning Portal during recertification.