The IRB Student Mentor is a Graduate Assistant at the Office for the Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS). The IRB Student Mentor, like other Graduate Assistants at USC, contributes to the research and teaching activities of the University while pursuing their academic degrees.

As a peer mentor, the IRB Student Mentor counsels USC student investigators on issues related to human subjects protection and to the IRB application process, through individual advisement and group workshops. The IRB Student Mentor also works closely with the Executive Director of the Office for the Protection of Research Subjects, the UPIRB office, and individual schools and departments on the University Park campus to continuously plan and implement outreach programs for the USC community. These programs educate faculty, students, and staff on important issues pertaining to human subjects protection in research activities.

The IRB Student Mentor serves as a liaison between USC students and the Office for the Protection of Research Subjects, through whom our office develops a better understanding of students’ needs and concerns as they relate to protecting research subjects.

In addition to serving as a mentor to USC students, the IRB Student Mentor is also a voting member of the University Park IRB. In this role, the IRB Student Mentor/Member participates in all convened full board meetings and is required to pre-review selected IRB protocols. By serving as the Student IRB Member, the UPIRB goal is to gain the "student perspective" in the review of research protocols.

The student mentor can be reached via email: irbgara@usc.edu

The IRB Student Mentor/Member News Articles
Student Mentor Serves on IRB... IRB Advisor
Office helps USC students navigate review board April 25, 2005 (Daily Trojan)
Principles Set for Human Subjects Research May 9, 2005 (USC Public Relations)