Institutional Review Board (CU-IRB)
The 91´óÉñÊÓƵ Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (CU-IRB) reviews research involving human subjects to ensure that their rights and welfare are adequately protected, they are not placed at undue risk, and they give uncoerced, informed consent to participate in the research.
Projects that meet the definition of research with human subjects must be reviewed and approved by CU-IRB, and researchers must complete online training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program before submitting an IRB application. Submissions may be returned with a request to addresses weaknesses before the review is complete and the study is approved.
Regular IRB Members
- Ashley Lesniak — CU-IRB Chair
- Francis Craig
- Tulare Park
- Fr. John Szada — Non-CU affiliated member
- Doreen Jowi
- Carroll Walter — Non-CU affiliated member
- Scott Mehall
- Kellie Pytel
- Jeffrey Leitzel
- Abby Hare
Alternate IRB Members
- Andrew Talbot
- Melinda Graybill
- Luke Semrau
- Mohamed Abdallah
- Nicole Kelly — Non-CU affiliated member
- Victoria Geyfman
- Kali Fedor
- Karri Verno
- Kristen Long
- Luke Haile
Upcoming Meetings
- September 11, 2026, at 11:00 AM
- October 16, 2026, at 11:00 AM
- November 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM
- February 12, 2027, at 11:00 AM
- March 19, 2027, at 11:00 AM
- April 16, 2027, at 11:00 AM
- June 9, 2027, at 11:00 AM
- July 21, 2027, at 11:00 AM
Notices
- Committee meetings are held via Zoom. Please contact the IRB Administrator for more information.
- Protocols that require full board review must be submitted one month before a meeting date to be considered for review.
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
CU-IRB@commonwealthu.edu
IRB Chair - Ashley Lesniak
IRB Administrator - Elizabeth Dickinson
