Taskforces and Committees

To provide a comprehensive and coordinated response to the need for human subjects research during the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Maryland, Baltimore has formed a number of specific Committees and Task Forces. The Committees and Task Forces have brought together multidisciplinary stakeholders to create policies and processes supporting our research efforts. This page provides information on each, including membership and actions taken to date.

UMB Research Advisory Taskforce (COVID-19) (Completed) ▾
Interim President Bruce Jarrell formed the Task Force to review the current state and make recommendations regarding clinical and general research and to provide guidelines with tiered operational levels based on evolving COVID-19 spread inclusive of Moderate and Severe Research Restrictions.

Taskforce Members:

AreaMembers
Basic Science Research Z. Vujaskovic, I. Jackson, E. Rose-Fown, R. Eckert, R. Ernst, J. Kaper, P. Swaan and S. Dorsey
Clinical Research S. Davis, P. Crino, K. Cullen, J. Doherty, E. Friedmann, S. Kottilil, and R. Rosenthal
Use of Animals in Research M. McCarthy, P. Bavoil, T. Gould, S. Vogel, T Bale, P. Swaan, S. Dorsey, W. Chao, and F. Aria
Analysis of Electronic and Other Data Sources for Research Studies J. Magaziner (Chair); C. Fraser; M. Pappas; and T. Shaw

 

Actions:

  • Final UMB Policy Based on Committee Reports and Recommendations dated March 18, 2020 regarding Basic Science Research
  • Final UMB Policy Based on Committee Reports and Recommendations dated March 18, 2020 regarding use of Animals in Research
  • Final UMB Policy Based on Committee Reports and Recommendations dated March 18, 2020 regarding Clinical Research
  • Final UMB Policy Based on Committee Reports and Recommendations dated March 18, 2020 regarding use Analysis of Electronic and Other Data Sources in Research Studies
  • Compliance Checklist to Prepare Laboratories for Essential Functions Only

 

COVID-19 Human Research Coordinating Committee ▾
This committee was formed to craft a comprehensive and coordinated response to the influx of human research protocols and to provide a preliminary review of proposed or planned research protocols involving human subjects to allow for prioritization and efficient processing.

Members:

S. Buskirk, J. Doherty, R. Rosenthal, S. Davis, S. Kottilil, K. Kotloff, G. Wilkerson, C. Lau, A. Tabatabai, R. Kozar, K. Lasko, J. Gammie, S. Kaushal, J. Campbell and P. Rock

Actions:

Proposed or Planned COVID-19 Human Subjects Research Worksheet:

HRP-360 - WORKSHEET - COVID-19 Human Subject Research Preliminary Review 

UMB Research Advisory Task Force (COVID-19) (re-convened)  ▾
This Taskforce was re-convened to determine collaborative, responsive, and fair review of proposed and planned research that is cognizant of the resources available and study impact and to provide recommendations regarding clinical and general research.

Members:

S. Davis, R. Rosenthal, J. Doherty, P. Crino, E. Friedmann, S. Kottilil, and K. Neuzil

Actions:

  • Formation of Study Section charged with developing guidelines and criteria for evaluating COVID-19 research to prioritize potential studies prior to IRB review
  • Creation of a Worksheet for Submission to the Study Section for Preliminary Review of COVID-19 Human Subject Research Protocols
  • Creation of a COVID-19 Human Subject Research Review Worksheet for Study Section Review and Ranking
  • Conducted three Study Section proposal review sessions, reviewing 26 proposals.
    • April 27th, 2020 (7 reviews)
    • April 20th, 2020 (5 reviews)
    • April 13th, 2020 (14 reviews)

COVID-19 Biorepository Task Force ▾
Under the COVID-19 Human Research Coordinating Committee a this Task Force was formed to create and implement a process to review and approve requests to obtain and use collected COVID-19 biospecimens.

Members:

P. Rock, J. Marshall

Actions:

  • Identify process for collection and dissemination of biospecimens for COVID-19 research to promote efficiency and …
  • Prepare an Umbrella Protocol for biospecimen collection
  • Umbrella Protocol submitted to IRB for approval
  • Umbrella Protocol approved by IRB
  • Planning for implementation of specimen collection and dissemination underway