Research Integrity Office
The Research Integrity Office (RIO) empowers leaders within the Texas Tech University Health Science Center research community to act with the highest ethical standards to create and maintain a culture of ethics compliance and integrity in all that we do.
In providing research administrative oversight and outreach, we work to support and
empower leaders within our research community to act with the highest ethical standards
in order to create and maintain our culture of ethics, compliance, and integrity.
Kristyn U. Sorensen, JD, PhD
Associate Vice President for Research Integrity
Research Oversight Committees
Through our committees, we provide research oversight in order to ensure adherence to applicable federal and state laws and institutional policies.
Click HERE to view the RIO Org Chart.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Our IRB reviews and monitors all Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ research involving human subjects. The board evaluates risks to subjects and compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies.
Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)
IACUC oversees federally-mandated policies and procedures regarding the humane care and use of lab animals.
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
IBC develops and advises on standard policy and procedures for the safe use, handling and storage of hazardous chemical and biological materials.
Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee (ESCRO)
ESCRO provides local oversight of standards and responsible use of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) or human Pluripotent Stem Cells (hPSC) in research.
Quality Improvement Review Board (QIRB)
QIRB oversees the systematic collection and analysis of data and implementation of interventions to improve the quality of clinical care in our educational programs.
Conflict of Interest in Research Committee (COIRC)
RIO provides an initial review of financial disclosure statements from Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ researchers, as well as administrative oversight of the Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ COIRC. For any questions, contact the COIRC Administrator..
Report Research Misconduct
The RIO Director serves as Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ’s Research Integrity Officer to receive potential allegations of research misconduct in accordance with Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ’s policy on Honesty in Research and other guidelines and procedures.
Human Research Protection Program
Our Human Research Protection Program (IRB) reviews and monitors all Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ research involving human subjects through two IRBs across six campuses.
Compliance & Auditing
Under the direction of the Research Integrity Officer, we review, audit and monitor all research activities for compliance and potential conflicts.
Education & Training
RIO staff provide educational training to groups and individuals on all aspects of research ethics and compliance.
- Human Subject Protection Training (CITI)
- (access for Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵ users)
- (access for outside collaborators)
- COIC disclosure
Got Questions?
We're here to help. Contact the Research Integrity Office staff if you have questions.
Kristyn U. Sorensen, JD, PhD
Associate Vice President for Research Integrity
(806) 743 - 3600
rio@ttuhsc.edu